parening – Mum In The Madhouse

Encouraging learning at home

Jen Walshaw — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:09:00 +0000

I have blogged previously that we are not big fans of homework for primary-aged children here in the mad house, however, I am aware that it is a necessary evil in the years to come and know that we have to start encouraging learning both in school and at home.

When it comes to homework and whether or not they need to do it and when they need to start doing it then we had several reasons, including the fact that a couple of their friends are starting senior school and they will have over an hour homework each evening and also that other friends although not local are receiving tutoring for their 11+ using tutors. But how do you find a local tutor? This is where Tutor Hunt comes in, they search for tutors locally or online within the parameters that you set .

We have learned that getting expert help with education and learning is something that is brilliant if you can afford it. MadDad tutored Math’s GCSE and A’Level when we first met. Tutoring isn’t always about just improving grades, but about raising confidence and giving children the encouragement they need. We feel that the time has come to start the preparation for future learning.

We want to keep this encouragement as simple as possible and make homework and learning fun and not a chore. We have been encouraging learning at home through play and reading throughout the boys’ lives at home, so the transition to doing homework doesn’t scare me or the boys at all.

Tips for encouraging learning at home

Fill your home with books. Both the boys love facts and fact books. We have and still are fostering a love of reading in our children.
Encourage discussion and opinion. I want my children to be free thinkers, to understand that having an opinion is fine and that they have to back up that opinion with reason and facts.
Make it fun. Both formal and informal learning is much easier when fun. If a book they need to read does not stimulate them, find an alternative one that does or another way for them to glean the information. This too applies if using a tutor, make sure that your child finds them inspiring (has a connection) and enjoys learning with them and that it isn’t a chore
Make learning a participation sport. I freely admit to my children that I do not know everything and that I too will have to learn somethings with them. Spellings are a communal event, they test me (I am pants at spelling and I test them) usually during dinner or on the walk to school.
Encourage learning through play from a young age. Play matters and is key to everything your child is and will be.
Use real world examples. Do science at home, encourage children to cook and engage your child in real world learning, ask questions and make connections.
Give them a place to do homework whilst supported by you. We use the kitchen table and have everything the boys will need in a bureaux in the kitchen. I can be preparing dinner whilst they are working and I make myself available to them as they need me.
Celebrate achievements. Make time to celebrate your children’s learning achievements and set clear expectations of them. My boys know that 100% effort is non negotiable regardless of the outcome. Offer positive reinforcement to inspire them to keep learning and being challenged.
Show interest in what they are learning. Do not make results and scores the focus of your questions. Show a true interest in what they are studying. Having your child put what they are learning into their own words will reinforce that learning.
Set a good example by showing them that learning is pleasurable and is a lifelong process. Additionally, parents who exude an overall positive attitude about their own responsibilities show children that while all people have tasks to complete, doing them with care and enthusiasm is far better than simply giving the minimum effort.
In case your budget allows it, enroll your kids to an online school. The flexibility it provides is similar to homeschooling, while you also enjoy the tutor support that comes on top of it. In schools that operate in an online environment entirely, learning from home is the norm, which might be exactly what you need.

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110 Summer Acts of Kindness for Kids – Fun and Meaningful Activities

Jen Walshaw — Fri, 22 May 2015 10:00:00 +0000

Often we focus on having fun over the summer and making it a great time for us and the kids. I want to make this summer great for everyone and encourage the kids to do random acts of kindness through the summer, like we did at Christmas.

We are big fans of bored jars and summer activity lists, they are great for keeping kids occupied during the summer and also help them make choices other than going on electronics with their time. Plus they help me, but reminding me of things that we can do as a family. So I thought I would take it a step further this year and create a kindness jar.

Our kindness mission statement:

Spread the word – encourage other people to join in and become happiness heroes

Have fun and enjoy making other people happy

To be kinder than you need to be

This summer we are going to encompass random acts of kindness into our routine. I have gathered up a list of acts of kindness for kids and families and the fab Purple Pumpkin Blog has helped me pull together a fab free printable of them all in Lollipop (popsicle) shapes! We love Anna from The Imagination Trees Kindness Elves and this would be a great list to use for

110 Summer acts of kindness for kids:

Donate clothes to charity (leaving a happy note in the pocket)
Donate to the local food bank
Leave change in the vending machine
Sort through your toys and donate any that you no longer play with to charity or your local church
Leave chalk messages around where you live
Sharpen all the pencils in the classroom at breaktime
Write a letter to your sibling telling them why you love them
Leave a beautiful homemade bookmark in your library book and give one to the Librarian
Leave the pound in the shopping trolley next time you go to the supermarket
Deliver cookies to your neighbours
Tidy your bedroom without being asked
Sit next to someone you normally don’t at the lunch table
Make a bird feeder
Send a care package to someone in the military
Find three of your toys to give to the local children’s hospital
Pass on some of your books to friends
Give a lottery ticket to a stranger
Donate books to your school library
Leave out water for the birds
Write thank you cards for your teacher, coach, Cubs leader or people that have influenced you in a positive way
Clean up the area where you live by picking up litter. Make sure you wear gloves and do it with an adult.
Help round the house without being asked to
Donate pet food to a local shelter
Put together a shoebox for your local church
Write a thank you note for the bin collectors and post person
Wash your parents car
Give a homeless person a blanket
Take everyone in your class a cookie
Offer to help an elderly friend or neighbour
Make a thank you card for the school crossing staff
Offer to pack the shopping bags of the person in front of you and behind you at the supermarket
Invite a new friend for a play date or out to play
Walk someone else’s dog
Give out a complement
Give out free hugs today
Hold the door open for people all day
Smile all day
Let someone go in front of you in a queue
Introduce yourself to someone new at school and chat with them
Ring an elderly relative and have a nice chat to them
Dontae this weeks pocket money to charity
Do a chore for someone without them knowing
Tell a joke
Leave happy notes around town
Put a small bin in your car to collect recycling
Call your grandparents and ask them about their childhood
Bake dessert for a neighbor
Check in on an elderly neighbor
Set the table for dinner
Leave bubbles on someone’s doorstep
Tell someone why they are special to you
Buy a coffee for a stranger
Pass out stickers to kids waiting in line
Garden for a neighbor
Bring flowers to your teacher
Tape change to a parking meter
Call a friend you haven’t seen in a while to say hello
Tape money for the ice cream van to a friend’s front door
Read a book to someone
Leave heads up pennies on the sidewalk
Donate a book to a doctor’s office waiting room
Tell someone how much you love them
Say hello to everyone you see
Make someone else’s bed
Wave at kids on buses
Invite someone to play on the playground
Tell the principal how great your teacher is
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth
Make a busy bag for a family with young children
Help make dinner
Donate new pajamas for poorly children in hospital
Make a get well card for someone
Bring your neighbors’ wheelie bins or garbage cans up for them
Take care of someone’s pet while they’re away
Share a special toy with a friend
Tape a video message for faraway friends
Leave kindness stones at the park
Buy extra school supplies for a teacher
Teach someone something new
Reuse paper when you are drawing
Give someone a hug coupon
Volunteer at a soup kitchen
Collect money or items for your favorite charity
Donate coloring books and crayons to the children’s hospital
Write a poem for a friend
Ask for donations instead of birthday gifts
Adopt an animal online
Make a homemade gift for someone
Clean up your toys without being asked
Dry the slides at the park with a towel after it rains
Make play dough for a friend
Send a postcard to a friend
Volunteer to help coach younger kids at sports
Empty all the bins at home
Empty the dishwasher without being asked
Handout ice pops/popsicles to friends
Water a neighbours garden if they are away
Write a letter to your mum and dad saying why you think they are special
Try saying yes for the day
Offer your seat
Help your coach with any sports equipment
Visit a sick friend or relative
Buy a cool drink for someone
Don’t interrupt when someone else is speaking
Help someone cross the road
Bring your parents breakfast in bed
Make some kindness hearts
Sort the recycling
Every night before you go to bed, think of three things you’re grateful for
Don’t shout today

We want you to get involved and if you do an act of kindness over the summer then share the image with us either on facebook, twitter, or instagram and use the hashtag #KidsKindness, so we can share it with our followers.

Print your free summer acts of kindness for kids

Acts of Kindness – Summer A4

Acts of Kindness – Summer US