Articles written by Frances Laing in Education

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About me - Frances Laing

I'm a freelance writer, journalist and blogger. My focus is people and the environment.

I write challenging, investigative features and articles as well as the ones about people enjoying themselves with travel, tourism, nature and their gardens. I try to

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Education > School Bullying & Violence How does the Internet influence bullying?: 6 of 19
They say that one in six of us has the potential to bully others. Bullying may perhaps be traced back to childhood influences or lack of education. It's the dark side of human nature - the desire to control and damage others. Sadly, when a bully meets the Internet - several things tend to happen. Remember the days before the... More..
Education > Alternative Education (Other) Issues of power, authority, and control in democratic education: 2 of 3
Regardless of where we live in the world - understanding issues of power, authority and control in democratic education systems is an important topic to engage with. That's because access to education and training usually brings more choices - the freedom to choose or compete for a better paid job. A route out of poverty and... More..
Education > Early Childhood Ed Favorite books for teaching children about disabilities: 2 of 3
Choosing a story book which highlights the joys and challenges of living with a disability is an awesome but vitally important task. Your choice is going to depend very much on the age of your child - and which disabilities you want to focus on. Many people believe children learn primarily through example - if you subscribe ... More..
Education > Educational Philosophy What education needs to mean: 4 of 5
Even after dozens of negative experiences in the education system - (and dozens of positive ones) - I still believe in education. But what does education need to mean in today's world? Education needs to address and communicate truly human values and help us deal with at least some of the pressing local, national and global ... More..
Education > Education (Other) Choosing the most appropriate school for your child: 4 of 4
This is a tough one. We want to do right by our children - but as far as choosing the most appropriate school is concerned the power of 'right' may be restricted by our situation: how much money or resources we have - which country or neighbourhood we live in - what local government is doing - and even what religion we are. ... More..
Education > Educational Philosophy The importance of learning through play: 4 of 4
Most parents, carers, early learning practitioners and teachers would agree that play and learning through play is hugely important. But the ways in which educational practitioners approach and encourage learning through play vary greatly according to the cultural and philosophical context in which they are operating. A pare... More..
Education > Early Childhood Ed How to prepare your child for preschool: 4 of 4
Remember - every child is different. So there's never going to be a 'one size fits all' approach. You're always going to need to take the age and temperament of your child and your family circumstances into account. I believe in the value of a good routine. It helps children feel secure and they know what to expect. If you'r... More..
Education > Education (Other) Tips for easy back to school transitions: 2 of 2
Preparation is the key to success This is a great way to cut stress with school generally. Try and make sure that everything you can possibly prepare beforehand is done. Some things can be done months in advance, some things you can do weeks in advance and other things can be done the night before. Parents are not known for ... More..
Education > Education (Other) Back-to-school budgeting tips: 2 of 2
Reduce, reuse, recycle Before you buy items new, find out if your school has a nearly-new exchange program. Ask around. Other parents may well have surplus items to give away, exchange or swop. (Children grow quickly and I for one have lost count of the items my daughter has never worn because she grew tall so quickly). Try ... More..