02/04/2024
For mothers with children above 4 years who are on holidays, these are the things you can do to ensure your child is still actively learning and improving while you’re busy.
First, check their result feedback (if they have) and know where they need improvements. List out these areas in order of hierarchy.
Follow the next steps based on their area of improvement. I will use reading and spelling as an example.
1. Buy them a new exercise book if they do not any spare lying around the house.
2. If they have a tablet/laptop/your phone etc, please scrutinize the content of what they are watching. This is not time for unnecessary ABCD songs. If they have had it before, please delete them and download these new suggestions. Right now, they should be learning letter association and reading.
This is not time for Bob the builder, Sophia, Cocomelon, the first, Papa pig, or everyday.
Did you know that kids can survive without cartoons?
3. Go to YouTube and look for phonics videos from ‘Rock ‘N Learn’, ‘Kiddos World’, ‘Teaching Mama’. Make sure you are looking for reading and phonics videos.
The secret to making this really effective is to make them pause and write these things down in the new exercise book you have bought them.
Let them read alongside the video and after each word or sentence (depending on the video) ask them to write.
What this does is that their brain begins to recognize words and their spelling and as they write them, it registers even better.
You do not need to force them to memorize these words.
Set a target.
Tell them you will take them to a park or get them a gift they’ve always wanted if they learn to read a paragraph (or pronounce and spell the words) they have written out on their book from any video after a week without listening to the video.
This is very effective if you are a busy mum and may not have time for close supervision. But ensure you watch these videos first before handing them over.
Please, limit the use of these electronic gadgets to at most 2 hours daily which is enough time to practice. Buy them real books, follow this up with their holiday assignments.
Please, buy your children books, they are not too young to read story books.
What if my kids do not have a tab?
You can use your phone as well.
What if you are always busy with your phone or computer?
Then it is time to get creative.
This means you need to buy them story books.
There are cheap ones in the market or even thrift but make sure it is at their level.
If they have story books from school, oh better.
The idea is that during school periods and with assignments, they learn the basics but with their breaks they should take real life practices.
This also works with arithmetics.
Download addition songs and ‘multiplication table’ songs for them and watch them improve and learn so much in this short break.
Trust me, assignments will become way easier and you’ll be proud of your child next term.
Most importantly, please be patient, hide those canes, give them breaks as much as they need, change reading areas often, let them be kids as they learn.
No matter how slowly they progress, be patient with them and always smile even they make mistakes instead of shouting and threatening to beat them.
Lastly, fulfill any promises to make for their progress and pray for your children.
Pray with them and let them hear you intercede on their behalf. If you can, practice what you want them to learn. You want them to read, read, you want them to be tab addicts? Always be on your tab. They learn what you show them and not necessarily what you say.
Good luck mamas.
Please share with mamas on your timeline.
Love, Kendra.
Livia World will always carry the interest of your kids at heart