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The Government cuts funding for Adult Education |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
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It seems a weird thing that a government that came to power chanting “education education education” could be responsible for so many cuts along the way. The cheap day and evening class programme subsidised by education funding will soon be a thing of the past.
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Disciplining young children: I’m losing my temper with this child ! What can I do ? |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Thursday, April 13, 2006
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It is so very difficult when a child’s behaviour makes you so cross and you get so angry you think you will lose your temper. In this state there is the danger that you will shout and scream and even hit the child. There were certainly times in my teaching career that a child’s behaviour – either to me or another child made me very angry. You can never solve any problem when you are in this state,
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Disciplining young children. So what do I do when my children break the rules? |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
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The most important thing to do, however irritated you feel is to stay calm. Think what is fair and what is fair to do. Sometimes, the child or children (if there are a group of them) can help you decide what is fair to do when a rule is broken. Do something that is fair and makes sense and will help them learnnotto make the same mistake again. For example, if they write on the wall, have them help clean it up.
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Start saving up NOW to send your children to University |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Saturday, April 01, 2006
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I think its time for parents and grandparents to start saving up NOW to help their children go to University in the future – though I think it’s a good thing that more students are working to go toward their costs for higher education –they are also borrowing a great deal and this may well become a major millstone round their necks year on year. A Department for Education and Skills (DFES) survey
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Is GCSE Coursework going to be abolished ? I hope so. |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Friday, March 31, 2006
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GCSE Coursework assessment has had many critics over the past few years. Firstly, there is the huge opportunity for cheating – or for over-helpful parents to be doing more work than their children, ......However, coursework could become a thing of the past for GCSE students in many subjects, the government's exams watchdog said
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Disciplining young children – Setting limits for behaviour |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
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I do find it difficult sometimes as a Grandparent to be as firm with rules of behaviour – quite often things that annoy parents are quite OK for me (such as the child rushing around and making noise – I quite like the change!). But there are some main ideas that, as a former teacher of young children, I know are important to do with early education in setting up rules of behaviour.
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Disciplining young children – setting routines and keeping to them ! |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
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I think probably the first and most important education of young children is to set routines for the key activities of the day such as bathtime and bedtime, mealtimes and key jobs that children should be starting to do, such as tidying up their toys or clothes. Routines help children feel safe and calm, because they know what parents expect,
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Helping Children eat correctly |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
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Its not easy to know what to do with a pre-schooler who picks at her food and only shows enthusiasm about puddings and sweeter things. So I’ve been researching to find out what we should be doing – or if there is anything we could do. I find that the evidence that is available says that children have an innate ability to control their calorie intake.
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Is your child clever ? “Seven ways for young children to be clever” |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Sunday, March 19, 2006
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I’ve been looking at the work of American psychologist Howard Gardner, and am taken by how his Multiple Intelligence Theory reinforces our belief that there are many different ways for children to be thought of as “clever” – though the Americanism in the article I read calls this “smart” which has rather negative connotations for us (too smart for his/her own good
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Poison prevention with young children – parents need reminding |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Thursday, March 16, 2006
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I was reading about the Poison Prevention week in the USA and thinking how the advice was no doubt useful for parents – but not particularly applicable to me (now a grandparent) until I came to check my cupboards and found a large range of poisons and harmful chemicals within reach of little hands.
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A generation is unable to cook due to failure of the education system |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
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School children are more likely to learn how to design food packaging than how to cook a meal, says a new report. So where have these stupid cookery lessons left us ? It's an old cliché that many men leave home not even knowing how to boil an egg, but now it seems there is a whole generation of people who lack basic cooking skills.
Cookery has virtually disappeared from school timetables and the result is a generation of young adults who have passed through the school system without learning how to cook and look after themselves nutritionally, say campaigners.
A new Ofsted report backs them. It says even when cooking - or food technology as it is now known - is taught pupils are more likely to be using computers to produce drawings of icing on cakes than learning how to cook nutritious meals. Efforts to get children eating more healthily are being hampered as a result, it adds.
Many young adults don't know how to chop vegetables, grill meat or even make a salad, leaving ...
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Research shows Eyes and Ears understand differently – implications for learning and working |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Sunday, February 19, 2006
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A new study by Carnegie Mellon University scientists in Pittsburgh have shown that because of the way the brain works, we understand spoken and written language differently, something that has potential implications in the workplace and in education, among many other things.
In the first imaging study that directly compares reading and listening activity in the human brain, Carnegie Mellon scientists discovered that the same information produces systematically different brain activation. And knowing what parts of the brain fire during reading or listening comprehension affects the answer to one of the classic questions about language comprehension: whether the means of delivery through eyes or ears makes a difference. "The brain constructs the message, and it does so differently for reading and listening. The pragmatic implication is that the medium is part of the message. Listening to an audio book leaves a different set of memories than reading does. A newscast heard on the radio is processed different
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Research shows online access increases student learning |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Saturday, February 18, 2006
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A detailed and interesting research study in America quoted here demonstrated clearly that using the children who had access to the Internet to gain information performed a great deal better on key comprehension, communication and presentation skills than those that had no access. As parents we need to understand that our child’s access to the Internet is now essential for them to learn to succeed in this modern world – however, Internet access is a two-edged sword – it makes it even more important that kids are kept away from harmful sites – and also are not just left to randomly surf the net – but helped to learn the research, independent information-finding skills, and ability to analyse and weigh the quality of information. They will need help to do this – parents themselves may well have to brush up on their own skills. The report of this research will help you (like it helped me) to know what the skills to be developed actually are !
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Preparing Emily for School – Language and General Knowledge (2) |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Friday, February 17, 2006
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Children in Infant classes are involved in many activities that require them to use language and to solve problems. Children who can't or don't communicate easily may have problems in school. There are many things we can try to do to help children learn to communicate, solve problems, and develop an understanding of the world.
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Getting Emily Ready for School (1) |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
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There is no one quality or skill that children need to do well in school, but a combination of things contributes to success. These include good health and physical wellbeing, social and emotional maturity, language skills, an ability to solve problems and think creatively, and general knowledge about the world. We try to help our children develop in these ways though its true that children develop at different rates, and most children are stronger in some areas than in others. Also we are aware that that being ready for school depends partly on what the school expects. Children who match the school's expectations may be considered better prepared. Its important to visit the child's school to learn what the Head and teachers expect and discuss any areas of disagreement.
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Helping to develop good television habits |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
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Children have watched an average of 4,000 hours of television by the time they begin school. Most experts agree that this is too much. But banning television isn't the answer, because good television can spark curiosity and open up new worlds to children – develop vocabulary , encourage listening and develop attention-spans (at its best). But its obviously a good idea to monitor how much and what television children watch helps them, starting at an early age, to develop good viewing habits.
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Are parents doing the homework ? |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Saturday, February 11, 2006
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The issue of parent’s involvement in homework has been in the national press as well as being a focus for educational research – it is being said that parents can create more problems for children than they solve. This is affecting the confidence in the reliability of GCSE coursework as an indicator of student’s ability. The government QCA guidelines suggest that parents help at many stages of child’s homework – so what on earth is it that parents should do ? Where do they draw the line ? It its not clear is it ? Children should do their own work – is this heresy ?
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So how do you find out if your child has ADHD or not ? |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
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There appears to be no single diagnostic test for ADHD or similar conditions so different sorts of information needs to be gathered. ADHD requires a medical diagnosis by a doctor, usually a child or adolescent psychiatrist, a paediatrician or paediatric neurologist or a GP. Treatment can be behavioural management or drug therapy and/or other therapies that depends on the particular diagnosis. Around half the children diagnosed with ADHD appear to grow out of it, but for others some symptoms follow them through to adult life.
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So when are behavioural difficulties in children ADHD or ADH or something else ? (2) |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
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Looking through the research data and information available on ADHD and ADH and other behavioural problems it seems that parents and teachers could end up labelling a perfectly normal child – as well as having serious worries unnecessarily. Many children have tantrums and difficult periods – which is just a by product of growing up naturally – and sometimes one wonders if the problem is in the skills of being a parent and setting a framework of house rules and discipline and not with the child who is being allowed to behave badly. It is true, however, that there are illnesses and learning problems that can affect children’s behaviour that are NOT ADH or ADHD and that need considering separately. But also parents need to develop a flexible toolkit for dealing with behavioural problems in their children whether they are diagnosed ADH or ADHD or any other acronym, I feel.
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Paying attention – young children often have difficulty –when is it a problem ? (1) |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Sunday, February 05, 2006
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There is so much in the press about attention disorders and “hyperkinetic” disorders where children have behavioural problems associated with a poor attention span. ADD refers to Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. BUT many young children (especially boys) are full of energy, restless and have short attention spans. It is really difficult to understand when impulsiveness and inattentions are the actions of a perfectly normal boisterous child who will later settle down, or when the behaviour is symptomatic of something that will prevent a child learning effectively and socialising with other children. Some pointers on attention and hyperactivity are given here.
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Looking into the national standards for under 8s day care – for healthy living |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Saturday, February 04, 2006
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“In 2001 the Government introduced national standards for under-8s day care to ensure a consistent approach to the regulation of day care in England. The standards state that 'day care providers must ensure that children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs and that this is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.” I wonder how many providers are sticking to the requirements – and I wonder how many parents who provide lunches for their children have been offered the huge amounts of published information on healthy packed lunches ?
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Pre-Reading stuff for the Learner Parent – help pre-schooler’s chances |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Thursday, February 02, 2006
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Parents who want to spend time with their child and help their children with pre-reading don’t always know what to do –especially if its your first child. As an experienced teacher now onto helping grandchildren I’m still learning new ways to make this kind of learning fun. Some tips for reading aloud and for helping with pre-reading skills. The more you can do to encourage your toddler's love for learning and discovery, the better. Though this is going to take your attention and time –it will be worth it in the long run.
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Read with your Pre-Schooler Age 18 months-3 – Emily’s choices |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
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Once a baby of 1-18 months begins to enjoy looking at books and engages with the pictures and textures (and sounds) associated with simple board books, then it is possible to begin introducing books with simple stories, a few more pages and involving listening for increasing periods. Repetition of favourite stories will help consolidate language skills and give you and the child much pleasure. Those introducing humour are particularly good to get the child’s interest to repeat stories. It was easy to introduce simple additional activities with Emily at this stage to extend the vocabulary, listening periods, and beginning involvement with the text in simple books. A list of Emily’s favourite books at this age is given.
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Cuddling up for good read with your Pre-Schooler – Emily’s choices |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
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The most important thing we can give our toddlers in the years before they go to school is an interest in learning, including an ability to listen with pleasure, and a wide vocabulary. Reading to our children is the single most valuable thing we can do, though it must be fun. It teaches such a wide range of skills and experiences in a most intensely pleasurable and exciting way – if you do it well. Even if you’re not experienced at reading to your child, you’ll develop the skill yourself as you go along. Start with books with babies. Here are the kinds of books that Molly loved in her first year or so.
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What about Gifted and Talented children ? |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Friday, January 27, 2006
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OneGovernment definition is as follows “Gifted and talented children often show signs of advanced development from an early age. Parents will probably notice that their child is more able than his or her peers, and this will usually be confirmed by friends, health visitors, doctors and playgroup teachers. Gifted and talented characteristics can include a wide vocabulary, a powerful memory, intense curiosity and concentration, a wide general knowledge, a vivid imagination and strong feelings and emotions.”
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Praise needs to be specific to really help learning says research |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Thursday, January 26, 2006
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Researchers from the University of Southampton , reported in the Journal Educational Psychology in Practice in 2004, suggested that it is not particularly the volume of praise but the TYPE of praise, that is the most important in helping children learn effectively. It is important, it seems, that praise provides specific information about what it is the child is doing OK, so it might be focused on the effort they are making or the strategies they are using.
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School Admissions – controversy carries on, but who has the answers ? |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
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It can be very depressing hearing all the hot air about parental choice in choosing schools, but the problems, to me, seem to be as follows:
1. For many voters this is not an issue that affects them now.
· The issue of school admissions is mainly about the choice of secondary schools
· The only people who REALLY care about admission to secondary schools are those parents with children under 11.
· Those parents who can afford to send their children to private schools will be less worried.
· Those parents who can afford to pay the transport costs to get their child/children to their choice of super school even if it is across the county – will be less worried – but concerned that the competition doesn’t get to fierce for the smaller numbers of favoured schools.
· Some parents do not care which school their child goes to and will settle for the nearest available
2. The people who will hav ...
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Helping children deal with anger – the most useful training for a young child |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
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Teachers and Parents can help children deal with anger by guiding their understanding and management of this powerful emotion. Researchers have shown that the practices described here can help children understand and manage angry feelings in a direct and nonaggressive way. I believe that helping young children to manage their anger is possibly the most important skill for interpersonal relationships in work and personal life.
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Understanding and Managing Anger with Young children (2-Managing Anger) |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Monday, January 23, 2006
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Developments of basic thought processes underpin children’s gradual development of the understanding of anger. There are 3 processes: improvement of memory, understanding of language and ability to express themselves, and self regulatory behaviours such as controlling impulses and tolerating annoyance and frustration.
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Helping Young Children Deal with Anger (1 –Explaining Anger) |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Sunday, January 22, 2006
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Children's anger presents challenges to parents and teachers committed to constructive, ethical, and effective child education and nurturing. This blog looks at what researchers have analysed about the components of children's anger, part 2 looks at factors contributing to understanding and managing anger in young children, and the third part looks at ways parents and teachers can guide children's expressions of anger.
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Language educators can apply for a European Award for Languages |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Friday, January 20, 2006
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Submissions are being sought for nomination to win the European Award for Languages in 2006 as the National Centre for Languages (CILT) seeks motivational and inspiring stories from language education organisations. CILT are looking for the best of the best in language teaching, from all across education. Schools, colleges, business and other training institutions across the UK will have just four months to demonstrate the existence and merits of their programmes. CILT are looking for exceptional easily-replicated language projects to be considered for an Award, with resources and cash prizes totalling more than £3,000.
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A Work-Based Assessor specialised job website has just been launched |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Thursday, January 19, 2006
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Assessor jobs.co.uk is supposed to be offering better recruitment and retention for work-based assessors and verifiers, because retention of the most able staff is a major problem in this time of reducing funds to the further education sector. The site is a focussed portal for the cinderellas of the FE Sector the Work-Based NVQ assessors, verifiers and trainers – employed or wanting to be employed in both private and public sectors.
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World Book Day - TUC Poll to find Reading Habits of Working Population |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
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The (TUC)is asking for the British working population to share their reading habits for this year’s World Book Day. This poll (closing by the end February) will form part of the Quick Reads initiative which is supported by the TUC. Why not join in and then look for the results – probably in March or so. I think this sounds an excellent study and should be interesting. Is the Quick Reads initiative just about dumbing down books rather than giving access to a wider population ?
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What benefits are there for young children in using computers ? |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
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Research has shown that 3- and 4-year-old children who use computers with supporting activities that reinforce the major objectives of the programs have significantly greater developmental gains when compared to children without computer experiences in similar situations-gains in intelligence, nonverbal skills, structural knowledge, long-term memory, manual dexterity, verbal skills, problem solving, abstraction, and conceptual skills. This does depend on the quality of their contact with computers, the kinds of developmentally-appropriate activities, and the amount of practice they get.
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Computer Activities for Early Years children |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Sunday, January 15, 2006
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For those parents who have a computer, they can introduce their children to the skills of using a mouse and of clicking on choices and responding to a program by using a story site that links with their early years TV programmes such as the BBC Cbeebies site. Also as children enter playschool and then infant classes, it is important that they have access to a computer with a library of developmentally appropriate software. Children need opportunities to make choices about some of their computer experiences.
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When is the right time to introduce young children to computers ? |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Friday, January 13, 2006
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Many researchers do not recommend introducing children under three to computers, and some studies find that computers are used all too often, inappropriately with young children – teachers and schools often use the technology to do traditional things – not using them to help children learn things in different ways.
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Looks like employers will be expected to pay for their apprentices’ training |
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Education
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By Fusive on
Thursday, January 12, 2006
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Over the last few years the squeeze in the Further Education budget has meant decreasing income for FE Colleges forcing them to try to get more students and educate them for less money. It is now clear tat they are now expected to raise the money they need by beginning to charge employers for training their apprentices. Will this lead to fewer apprentices ?
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