It’s summer — that time of year when teachers bid farewell to students, hoping they forget everything they’ve learned during the school year. It’s also the time of year when nervous parents take on the challenge of keeping their children physically busy and mentally active during long summer days.

One-2-One Tutors are here to guide you:

1. Teach your kids to cook and have a mini British Bake Off. Not only will it be a great bonding session and having fun; it teaches your kids how to measure ingredients out properly, how much each ingredient cost and learning how to budget, and finally … learning how to plan and following a step by step guide to making food.

2. Arts and Crafts always keeps kids entertained. Buy an Art book that shows them different Art and craft techniques. For example: origami, paper mache or making toys out of recycling materials.

3. Days out are a great way of getting your kids physically active and be out in the fresh air. But not only that, it’s a chance to teach them about Nature. If it’s not too much of an expense; zoos, farms, beaches and wildlife parks are great places to learn about animals, plants and their habitats.

4. Make your own musical instruments out of household objects or recycling materials. This is a fabulous way of getting them mentally stimulated, as they have to figure out how to piece materials together to make a musical instrument.

5. Get your kids to write their own story, draw their own book illustrations and make it into a book. This will keep them in tuned with writing, spelling and reading as well as keep them busy and quiet for awhile.

Summer Time can be stressful for everyone, especially parents with children. Trying to find activities to entertain the children, busy roads due to families travelling for holidays and ridiculous queues into places – all of these are a nightmare! It also doesn’t help if the weather is dreadful and trying to preoccupy the kids indoors can be a pain too.

Here are 10 tips to try and aid you throughout the summer holidays the best you can:

1. For every day that passes in the Summer Holidays, your children will be shouting “mum” or “dad” more frequently than usual. Just remember to count to 10 each time they shout your name or make them come to you when asking for something, rather than shouting up the stairs to you. This will help you to destress and hopefully your child doesn’t drive you insane.

2. If they suggest making a cake, tell them that grandma’s kitchen is much better for that type of thing. Remember, never to eat anything that your child makes unless it’s been supervised.

3. Remember that the later they stay up does not mean they will sleep in longer the next morning. Make sure you get enough sleep and a strong coffee/tea may help in the morning to wake you up.

4. Play Hide and Seek with your children. Make sure you’re the Seeker, as once you’ve counted to 10… shout “COMING!” to them. Your children will think you’re looking for them, when actually you could be getting some chores done without them knowing or you could finish watching the end of your favourite programme. 

5. Arrange special days out that will take place at the end of August. You have an excellent blackmail tool to use should your child misbehave throughout July or begin August. Also, don’t forget rewarding charts can still be implemented throughout the Summer holidays, as this will give your child targets to work towards too.

6. Budget your finance over the Summer Period, as this can be an expensive time when the kids are off school. Think of free activities that you could do weekly and make it a routine. Even if it’s a bonding session by going to a park or playing sport activities in a field. If your child gets bored easily, think of people they could visit over the Summer i.e. grandparents or a sleepover at a friends house.

7. Get them to do activities outside as much as possible. Even if it’s wash the car, helping with the gardening or simply putting the washing on the line (if they are tall enough). It’ll also give you a helping hand with chores that need doing.

8. If the weather is miserable, these activities are best for indoors:  get arty and make self portraits or make something out of paper mache, decorate plant pots and repot flowers so the children think they’ve done something proactive, or make forts and castles with furniture and sheets. Anything to keep their hands and minds busy!

9. Sometimes it’s ok to allow your children to have a movie day – it’ll be good to relax on the sofa with them once a week.

10. Make sure you book in free time for yourself and let your partner or family members take the children out for a few hours or for the whole day. You need ME time remember, as you have worked so hard to not lose the plot in front of the kids.

The education system is becoming more and more disappointing. Especially Michael Gove … he is not taking students mental health into consideration. The constant pressure for students meeting the criteria standards and constant change of requirements within school coursework.

Michael Gove: mental illness affecting young people

 

Unless people are going through mental illness, no-one will truly understand how it takes over you… mentally and physically. It affects your everyday life and your not able to function properly.

It’s hard to put a fake smile on your face or try to power through everyday tasks that used to be easy… but now is hard.

The number of teaching hours should be cut because too much “dead” time is wasted on “tedious” lessons for both students and teachers, a headmaster has said.

Peter Tait, headmaster of Sherborne Preparatory school in Dorset, said children need to be taught time management skills and must not be force to take extra time for tutoring or classes.

Read more….

Reducing teaching time to improve quality

I would like to voice this message to all parents – each child learn at their own pace and please don’t compare your child to another student within their nursery group.

Don’t implement all of these strategies at once, nor should you expect your child to be able to do everything right away.  The information below is to help you build a foundation at home, to help support your child within reading when they are ready.

1. Read to your child

Read to your child everyday, in the afternoon or at night. This can be at any age, but primarily infant age as it’s a prime time. Showing enjoyment and excitement when reading a book to your child, will encourage them to want to try and speak some words within the book. Also long term, it will benefit them later on to find enjoyment within a book.

2. Ask Questions

Asking questions while reading to your child is not only great for encouraging your child to interact with the book and yourself, but it is also extremely effective in developing their ability to comprehend what they are reading. Even if the questions are simple, such as “where is the lion hiding” and getting your child to point at the image. This shows that they are acknowledging what you are saying to them.

3. Be a good example

Parents loose sight of what exactly their child should be doing to be successful. When actually, it all balls down to that children follow by example. Even if it’s reading a magazine, a cookbook or even a menu at a restaurant. Get your child involved in what you are reading. Also, take a moment from your hectic lifestyle and sit down with your child, and read a book together. Bonding and good example is key.

4. Identifying letters

Having letters dotted around your child’s bedroom, on the fridge door and in their playroom will help them learn their alphabet and new words. Even if it’s simple words like their name painted on the wall in their bedroom, writing sentences on the fridge door and practice writing letters or their name on their kids chalk board.

5. Implement multiple domains of development

Once your child has learnt the letters, involve these in multi-sensory activities. Hands-on learning is key at this age, as it produces longer retention and more meaningful application. Using Arts and Crafts is a brilliant way of getting your child to recognise how letters are written and their pronunciation. For example; writing their name on coloured paper and cutting it out, adding sparkly bits etc will help your child learn letters and make the activity fun!

6. Word Families

I’m sure you are wondering what word families are? Word families are words that rhyme. Word families will help your child recognise patterns in words and how the phonics sound. Word families is an important aspect of reading, as it allows your child to group sets of letters within a word. The first part of the word is known as an “onset” and the last part of the word is known as a “rime”. Word families share a similar “rime”, whereas the “onset” changes continuously.

If you would like further advice, please feel free to contact us: info@one-2-onetutors.co.uk

I was reading an interesting article on BBC Education News the other day called ” Massive online courses set sights on sixth formers”. Whilst reading it, I spotted something in their context about online courses on FutureLearn.

As you do, you end up browsing and researching. I have to say, FutureLearn has a brilliant platform to aid and support younger generation to succeed. They are all about providing online courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from all over the world. They are wanting to help you make fresh discoveries and form new ideas. They have a variety of courses; from business to creative arts, and politics to health and psychology. Take a look for yourself …. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/categories

I think it’s an efficient way to open students eyes to a variety of subjects; developing skills in their interested subject, learning about our society, economy and history, how to start your own business and marketing strategies, and many more. I know we live in a society and economy where jobs are scarce or they are asking certain education and skills requirements, which some students can’t afford to go to Universities or may not have the relevant grades. But with FutureLearn, they allow you to learn about a variety of subjects and allow students to broaden their horizon and what avenue of work they can go into.

Check out the webpage now… it’ll blow your mind! Let those learning juices flow and turn those blinkers off.

https://www.futurelearn.com

Mothers are more likely to coo at their babies, while fathers address them more like small adults – but both approaches help children learn, a study suggests.
Scientists at Washington State University used speech recognition software to analyse differences in parents’ speech patterns.
Mothers’ “baby talk” is believed to promote bonding.
But fathers, who use a more adult tone with babies, may provide a “bridge” to the outside world, the researchers say…. read more on the link below

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-32809972

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measures. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?”
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. You playing small does not serve our world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same, as we’re liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson

Do you want to give your child a head start before the Academic Year?

Do you want your child to have Superhero confidence ?

Do you want your child to have a “utility belt” of knowledge like Batman?

Do you want your child to be a “Wonder Woman” in their exams?

One-2-One Tutors are offering “Hulk” sized sessions in various subject matters throughout the Summer in:

– Reading, Writing, Phonics and Number skills for children, ready for Primary School.
– Enhancing a child’s creative and artistic side with our subject expert.
– Advanced preparation for SATS and GCSE’s in English and Maths.
– Aiding students in Art and Design Technology GCSE or A Level Coursework.
– Helping to boost their confidence in areas they may be requiring additional support.
– Advanced preparation for 11+ exams in English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning.
– Functional skills within ICT with our subject expert, who has 20+ years of knowledge and experience.
– Interview and Presentation Skills, to aid with everyday life.
– Aiding Dyslexic, Autistic and Aspergers with core skills by using creative methods.

The tutoring rates will be £20-£30 per hour depending on the level to be tutored. We cover mainly West Oxfordshire, but we are happy to cover the Centre of Oxford.

If you are interested, please get in touch by emailing: info@one-2-onetutors.co.uk

Picture reference: http://superherolearners.weebly.com/

Should I hire a tutor for my child this summer?

Is your child struggling with school work?

Is your child behind on their grades at school?

Does your child need additional support in English and Maths because they’re not getting the help from school?

Do you want your child to learn something new and keep them in tuned with learning?

Or, have you noticed your child being extra stress or anxious, due to not understanding a subject?

One-2-One Tutors are providing fun, learning courses over summer, to avoid the summer learning slide!

We are providing group classes as well as one to one sessions over West Oxfordshire.

We are providing additional support in areas of English and Maths, helping children get ready for the next academic year and preparing children for 11+ exams.

We are also providing exciting Art sessions with fun and innovative projects, get your child involved!

We are offering 20% discounted block group sessions and 10% discounted block one to one sessions. Prices may vary depending on your locations but everyone will get the discounted rate!

Get in touch with us: info@one-2-onetutors.co.uk
Discounted block sessions expires 01/06/2015