Category: Education

Learning how to read can be a tedious developmental process. Every child learns at a different pace and in a variety of ways. The goal is to not only teach the skills necessary to get through school, but to also instill a desire to keep reading for life. This is why it’s important to discover ways to make reading captivating.

So, how does a parent or teacher spark a passion for reading in every child? What are the methods to help them pay attention and remain interested?

Fun and Creative Ways to Help Kids to Read

For any type of leaning, making each step of the journey engaging is the key to encourage lifelong learning and enjoyment.  So, here five ideas that can plant the seed of a lasting love for reading in every child.

1. Use Nursery Rhymes and Kids’ Songs

Nursery rhymes and kids’ songs are a lot of fun, and their rhythm and rhyme enable children to hear syllables and sounds in words, which is a good way of learning to read. Phonemic awareness is an important ability required in learning. It entails being in unison when singing and clapping rhythmically together. Such bonding and playful activities are fantastic ways for children to grow their literacy skills that are the building blocks to developing successful reading habits.

2. Displaying Words and Letters in Class and their rooms at Home

Kids are naturally inquisitive. By displaying different letters and words around in class and their bedrooms, they’ll be encouraged to ask you questions about those words. By doing so, they’ll be learning without realizing it. You can also try labeling objects in a classroom and rooms such as doors, windows, tables, and chairs. Or placing words like ‘black,’ ‘red’ and ‘blue’ with the font’s color matching the word. This can especially help the reading skills of boys and help all kids to learn by associating words with what they see.

3. Reading Together Daily and asking Questions

There are many skills children can acquire just by reading the stories out loud. First, they learn the art of sounding out words. Second, you’ll be helping them develop major comprehension skills, expand their vocabulary as well as give them a chance to know what fluent reading is like. But most importantly, regular reading drives your child to enjoy reading. Strengthen your kids’ comprehension skills simply by asking them questions when reading. Use pictures to encourage younger kids to engage and ask older kids questions that are a little bit more complex.

4.  Playing Decoding Games

Decoding is simply sounding out words. Once your kid learns the letter’s sound or the sounds of different groups of letters, they can start to put words together. Learning how to decode is a very crucial stage of learning to read, preparing them for higher subject levels in school. This is because the more a student can decode words, the quicker they can automatically identify different words. You can make the decoding lessons fun by incorporating simple games.

5.  Word Search Bingo

As earlier mentioned, reading to kids out loud helps to develop their listening and language skills while preparing them to figure out written words. Nevertheless, some kids have difficulty sitting still and focusing while listening to the reader; therefore, you need to find a way of keeping them engaged in reading. One such way is by creating bingo games.  Hand out paper sheets to your students containing words from the text you are reading. Ask your students to circle the words on their list that they hear you reading, and in the end, talk about these words. Playing word bingo not only makes the activity interactive but also reinforces vocabulary and comprehension in a fun and dynamic way.

Developing a Love for Reading

Another way to instill a reading culture in your young children is to simply lead by example. It’s been said that kids ultimately develop their life long habits by doing what you do, not necessarily by what you say. Younger kids imitate their parent’s actions. What better way to teach the importance of reading than to have them to see you reading on a regular basis.

It begins at a younger age by taking the time to read with them everyday. Let them pick out the books they want. Make it fun. As they get old enough to read on their own, carve out time throughout the week for them to read their own books while you read yours. Do it together. You’ll not only be instilling a love for reading early on and guiding them towards reading success, you’ll be creating quality time together.

Other ways to encourage reading would be by registering your kids at centers for early learning. To find a reputable early learning center near you, search the internet for valuable venues and resources.

What will the world be link in the future? Scientists and thinkers have always puzzled over that question. Hundreds of years ago, writers imagined a future where people lived easy lives, doing what they wanted to, buying what they wanted without money.

Before you were born, scientists predicted that the earth would soon be covered in ice. Others predicted that the ice will all melt.

Those predictions did not come to pass. The truth is that the future is a mystery. And here’s the exciting part: You will live there one day!

What will life be like? No one can be sure, but many very smart people have some interesting ideas.

3D PRINTED FOOD

Feel like a pizza? Print one! Yes, in the future, when you need to feed your kids, you might cook up a pizza on a 3D printer. NASA is currently experimenting with 3D food printers to use in space.

Here on earth, 3D scanners are already being used, but they are very expensive and don’t prepare a lot of different foods. By the time you are a grown-up, 3D food printers will be as common as microwave ovens. And you’ll be able to add extra cheese.

YOUR HOME WILL BE YOUR DOCTOR

Paying for health care is expensive. When you grow up, you will pay taxes to pay for that care. To help keep costs low, your home will be filled with tools that keep an eye of your health. Your toothbrush will test your saliva. Your toilet will test your, ahem, deposits.

Of course, your watch will also tell you how your heart is doing. All of this testing will help find health problems before they become too serious. They will tell you when you need to see a human doctor and when you just need to take a breath and relax.

WHEN YOU DO NEED A DOCTOR

In the future, you might get treated by tiny robots of a robot suit.

Nanotechnology is, simply put, using very tiny particles to do a job. For example, some sunscreens use nanoparticles to protect your skin. In the future, doctors will be able to use these wee little particles to make machines that treat disease or fix wounds. Other types of treatment are big.

Right now, doctors are creating mechanical suits that can act like legs or arms. People who have spine injuries will be able to move the suit just by thinking. Soldiers injured in war or kids damaged in accidents will finally be able to stand, walk or even play soccer.

HEADING TO THE FARM—IN AN ELEVATOR

As an adult, you might decide to be a farmer. You don’t go to the field in a truck—you take an elevator. That’s because farms are being created in high-rise buildings.

Some crops are grown on the side of the building. This is called “vertical farming” and people are doing it now. From vegetables to meat, almost any food can be grown inside these buildings.

If you want to be a farmer, you better get used to heights.

THE HARDEST PART OF THE FUTURE?

Being Human.

Technology is great. Everyone has a phone that connects them to friends and facts and fun games. All that technology is causing problems. Kids and adults alike find it hard to visit face-to-face. It’s a challenge to to balance technology with nature.

People who get along using text messages can feel awkward when they try to meet in person. In the “old days,” men and women fell in love by meeting and getting to know one another.

Now, adults go through lists of information to learn about a person they like. Also, too much technology can make thinking harder. In the future, you could find life a struggle when technology breaks down. You could feel anxious without a phone in your hand.

The best way to make sure that you enter the future strong, smart and able to enjoy the world is to live in reality. Exercise, visit people, get your parents to show you how to do things rather than look it up on your computer. When the future arrives, you’ll be ready to make it whatever you want it to be.

How To Encourage Children to Love Science in School

Now that university is back in full swing, you will have noticed students in every corner of the city. This may instill some fear into you, especially if your child is in their last year of school and planning to head to university. You may have some worries about them leaving or home, or whether they will get a place in the university of their dreams.

Whatever the case, you need to start preparing for your child’s future in university, as this move will affect them as well as you. Take a look at these tips which will help you assist your child with the next step of their education.

One of the hardest decisions your child will have to make is which university course is right for them, as this will define their future career. Parents tend to have a big say on this, as some would prefer their child to stay closer to home, while others are adamant that their offspring will attend a prestigious university. Both can offer your child clouded judgement, as they may end up at university they don’t enjoy or take on a course that provides them with little to no job opportunities.

Choosing a University Course

Instead, you and your child should conduct thorough research on UCAS where you can look into subjects that he or she finds enjoyable or will excel at, while also taking note of the employment prospects. You should avoid just focusing on the course overview, as this will only provide you with a generalized description.

Most universities lay out each module for individual courses to help the potential students decide if its right for them, and whether the entry requirements suit them. If they can relate to any of the skills or experience mentioned on the course, they can use this to their advantage in their personal statement. Before making a final decision, you should try to choose three universities where you can attend open days with your child to help them choose up to five universities to apply for.

The Application Process

After researching courses and selecting the top five universities, you can then commence with the UCAS application. This consists of everything from your child’s education to work experience, along with a personal statement of 4,000 characters which is used to promote your child’s key skills, knowledge and work experience in support of their application. Once it has been sent off, your child will receive a notification whether they have an offer. If they receive a conditional offer, they will have to wait until they receive their results to find out, whereas if they are granted an unconditional offer, they will have secured a place immediately.

If your child is lucky enough to be approved of all five, they must decide which university is right for them and decline the remaining four. This is a hard decision to make, so make sure you and your child sit down and discuss their options before confirming where they want to attend.  If they are seeking the best masters in education programs it will most likely narrow the list of choices.  Any important detail that is inline with their educational goals helps to ensure the best match.

Don’t worry if your child does not get accepted at any of their desired universities, as there is always the opportunity to get place through Clearing. This process enables students to find spaces in last-minute courses that aligns with their grades.  When searching for the best university that is right for the student, another option is to explore the pros and cons of online education versus traditional education.  e-Learning may be a valid choice for many students for a variety of reasons.

Funding Options

Once your child’s place at university is secure you can then start looking into finances. The majority of students tend to receive funding from student finance, where they can apply for living expenses and tuition fees, which are now charged a standard rate of £9,250. Your child may receive a maintenance loan or grant, but this will all depend on your income, as student finance takes into account the parents or guardians financial situation and their ability to support their child.

So basically, the less you earn the more financial support your child will get. You must input all the right information when applying for student finance, as the application may be rejected if the information is incorrect. Make sure you do not take too long with this, as the deadline is around May or June time, and if you do not submit in time, your child’s financial aid will be severely delayed.

Finding the Right Accommodation

Some parents wait to see how much their child is awarded before they can find somewhere for them live, while this is financial responsibility it can actually result in slim pickings. The majority of first-year students living in student halls, however, others do opt for private student accommodation. Some of the best purpose-built student accommodation is located in central areas, such as the RW Invest developments which are located next to some of the UK’s top universities. These provide students with comfortable and sociable living spaces, which include high-quality bedrooms, common area and even gym facilities.

Comparing Academic Programs: A Guide to Finding the Best Fit for Your Career Goals

In a job economy driven by rapidly changing technology, it’s more important than ever that our schools foster a love of learning. Starting our students on a steady dose of STEM curriculum in elementary primes them to become the inquisitive kiddos that lead to ambitious adults.

What does STEM stand for?

For anyone who’s seen the term STEM, but kept it on the periphery, here’s a bit of background. The acronym stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Recently, a study of the arts was added to the educational model, making STEAM an interchangeable term you might also hear.

In school, STEM or STEAM lessons are taught using an integrative approach that shows how each subject relates to and works with the others. This interdisciplinary instruction also closely mirrors how these concept applications function in the working world.

Educational Benefits of STEM

The sooner our students are exposed to STEM activities the better.  It may be scientific achievements like the first black hole picture or the fascinating technological developments.  Regardless of a child’s interested in a particular subject, we know that during the elementary years a child’s synapses are most impressionable.  Youngsters have an innate drive toward curiosity. STEAM programming prioritizes and encourages this curiosity, making lessons easier to internalize.

By making it accessible to anyone, STEM education benefits everyone in the classroom by:

Reducing lesson and testing anxiety

The principles of STEM diminish stress by putting the focus on the student’s ability to learn and grow, encouraging a belief in oneself.

You can even make STEM learning a daily part of a kid’s day. On this note, watches with calculators are a great option to aid kids in learning STEM by helping them practice mathematical operations, problem-solving, unit conversions, time management, data analysis, programming concepts, and financial literacy.

Making it okay to fail

Our mistakes are powerful teachers. Even STEM leaders of the past knew this.  When the environment is safe and welcoming, students don’t fear punishment of failure and learn to view it as an opportunity to simply explore or try new things.

Prioritizing the 4 C’s

No matter their age, whatever their job title, they’re going to need to know how to interact well with others. STEAM helps develop the necessary 21^st-century learning skills including creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication.

Helping them apply meaning

STEM curriculum is engaging and motivates students to think through real world-inspired scenarios. Taught in this way, the concepts make more sense and students are able to understand the value and purpose. This depth of knowledge also leads to a greater understanding of each pillar.

STEM Career Opportunities

According to the STEM Diversity at the University of Wisconsin Madison, by 2018, it is predicted that 8.65 million STEM jobs will exist. Nevertheless, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a drastic shortage of almost 600,000 potential candidates for those jobs.”

So, job security is almost guaranteed, but pursuing a STEM career doesn’t necessarily mean students will automatically be chained to a MIT laboratory or relegated to Silicon Valley. STEM is everywhere, permeating just about every fathomable industry.

Contrary to some of the stereotypes, STEM-led disciplines include everything from product development for the fashion industry to healthcare careers like nurses, doctors or medical assistants, and engineers.

One of the fastest growing industries is also creating the great need for training professionals.  A demand for experts in cybersecurity is growing making it a great career choice.

In short, there’s no better way to equip students for their life journey than to turn them into lifelong learners. Once they master this skill, there’s no realm, be it higher education or the real world, which they can’t conquer.

Engaging Activities to Promote STEM Learning

STEM education plays a crucial role in preparing children for the rapidly advancing technological landscape of the 21st century. To ensure that children develop a solid foundation in these fields, educators can incorporate interactive and hands-on experiences in their lessons.  One effective way to promote STEM learning is through science experiments and investigations. Children can be encouraged to conduct simple experiments at home or in the classroom, exploring concepts such as magnetism, chemical reactions, or the properties of light. Through hands-on exploration, they can observe phenomena, make predictions, and draw conclusions, fostering their curiosity and analytical thinking.

Building and constructing activities are also highly engaging for children. Utilizing materials like building blocks, LEGO, or robotics kits, kids can design and build their own structures, machines, or robots. This not only enhances their creativity but also nurtures their engineering and problem-solving skills. By facing challenges and overcoming obstacles during the construction process, children learn perseverance and gain confidence in their abilities.

Incorporating technology-based activities

Technology-based activities, such as coding or programming games, can also captivate a child’s interest in STEM. There are numerous coding platforms specifically designed for kids that offer interactive and gamified learning experiences. Presenting them with challenges like designing a sustainable city, building a bridge, or creating a model of a renewable energy system can stimulate their critical thinking and encourage them to apply their knowledge to practical situations. These activities inspire creativity and innovation while fostering a sense of purpose and relevance in STEM education.

Engaging activities are vital in promoting STEM learning in children.  These activities not only cultivate a deeper understanding of scientific concepts but also foster essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. By nurturing a love for STEM at a young age, we can empower children to become confident and capable contributors to the ever-evolving world of science and technology.

STEM vs STEAM

There has been somewhat of a conflict between STEM and STEAM, wherein the latter refers to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.  Traditionalists believe that adding the “arts” to the education model for K-12 students will dilute the study of the main four pillars of STEM.  Still, no one denies that getting kids excited about science at a very early age is a key to producing more STEM graduates.

Art is one element in early education that makes learning fun as they are introduced to simple STEAM activities.  Linking art to science not only provides an excellent balance to academic life, but it can also encourage students to explore subjects they think are boring.

Allowing students to explore their creatively through art and combining it with science will surely produce more students interested in STEM overall, and not just in early grades.  Proponents of STEAM say this is just one reason the arts are a vital part.

Perhaps even more importantly is that supporters of STEAM believe creativity is an essential part of innovation and development within the scientific world.  It does not only attract young minds to love science, but it also empowers them to always think creatively and believe that anything is possible.  The same is true of kids that code.  Even if they do nothing relating in the field of technology, they gain so many additional benefits through the process of learning how to code.

Ways to Introduce Preschool Children to STEM

Early childhood is a critical period for development, and introducing STEM and STEAM at this stage can have a profound impact on a child’s cognitive and intellectual growth. By providing age-appropriate activities and experiences, parents ignite curiosity, foster critical thinking skills, and lay the foundation for future STEM learning.

Here are some effective ways to introduce preschool children to STEM:

Sensory Exploration

Young children learn best through hands-on experiences. Provide them with sensory activities that involve exploring varied materials, textures, and objects. For instance, they can play with water and containers to understand concepts of volume and capacity, or use sand and blocks to build structures, enhancing their understanding of basic engineering principles.

Nature Walks and Outdoor Exploration

Take children on nature walks and encourage them to observe and ask questions about the natural world. Point out different plants, animals, and their habitats. Engage them in simple experiments, like growing plants from seeds or observing the lifecycle of butterflies, to introduce basic scientific concepts.

Building and Construction Toys

Building blocks, puzzles, and construction toys are excellent tools for early STEM introduction. These toys enhance fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities. Encourage children to build towers, bridges, or simple structures, fostering an understanding of basic engineering principles.

Experimentation and Play

Incorporate simple experiments into playtime to spark curiosity and promote scientific thinking. Have children mix colors to discover how they blend, or float different objects in water to explore the concepts of buoyancy and density. Encourage them to make predictions and observe outcomes, nurturing their scientific inquiry skills.

Technology-Based Learning Tools

Introduce interactive and age-appropriate technology tools that facilitate learning. There are various STEM-oriented apps, games, and educational videos designed for young children. These resources can expose children to basic coding, problem-solving, and logical reasoning, promoting early computational thinking.

Storytelling and Books

Utilize STEM-themed storybooks to make learning engaging and enjoyable. Look for books that explore scientific concepts, engineering feats, or mathematical puzzles in a fun and accessible way. Through storytelling, children can develop language skills while expanding their understanding of STEM subjects.

Explore  Creativety Through Art

As mentioned above, art is encouraged and promoted by many educators as close link to science.  In this way, having kids paint a picture is one of the easiest ways to get preschool ages kids interested in all aspects of STEAM. The mixing of colors to create new ones is an excellent discussion starter about how materials mix to change into new substances.

Role-Playing and Pretend Play

Encourage children to engage in role-playing activities that involve scientific or engineering themes. Provide props like lab coats, magnifying glasses, or tools to stimulate their imagination. They can play the role of scientists, engineers, or mathematicians, fostering an early connection with STEM fields.

By incorporating these strategies, we can create a rich learning environment that cultivates curiosity, critical thinking, and a positive attitude towards STEM in very young children.  Remember, keep the activities age-appropriate, hands-on, and fun, allowing children to explore and discover the wonders of the world around them while developing essential skills for their future.

AUTHOR BIO:

Dave Monaco has worked in education for 24 years and counting. He has put his M.A.T. to great use as the Head of School at Parish Episcopal School and helps Parish live out their mission to guide young people to become creative learners and bold leaders who will impact our global society. With his philosophy to “engage the mind, connect to the heart,” this father of three will continue bringing order to chaos one day at a time.