The end of the school year can bring a mix of emotions for children, from saying goodbye to teachers and classmates to facing uncertainties about the year ahead. Supporting your child through this transition is key to easing their anxieties and helping them embrace the changes. Here are some simple strategies to create a positive closure to the school year and prepare for what's next.
Read MoreThe idea of being a perfect parent is a myth. Instead, Gail Smith shares some fundamental principles that can guide us through the ups and downs of parenting. These practices will help you navigate challenges and changes with greater confidence throughout your parenting journey.
Read MoreMastering spelling can be tricky for some kids, but with your early support, they'll become spelling superstars, communicating with confidence in their writing. Let Gail Smith guide you with some awesome tips to boost your child's spelling skills.
Read MoreDid you know that the more time children spend in front of screens, the less they hear and practice language? This can impact their speaking, listening, writing, and comprehension skills. Explore these suggestions by Gill Smith to ensure your child gets plenty of exposure to develop good language skills.
Read MoreIn today's world, our children can face many challenges when it comes to body image. It's important to help them develop a positive view of themselves. Gail Smith explains why this is so crucial and offers tips on how you can support your child in this process.
Read MoreWhen a child struggles with reading, it can really hold them back. Their confidence takes a hit, and they might start feeling like they're not as good as other kids. Discover some fun ways to teach reading with Gail Smith and help your child become a better reader!
Read MoreWhen you listen well to your child you see your child more clearly. Explore the reasons for effective listening with Gail Smith, especially at this early stage of the school year.
Read MoreEvery child will encounter a mix of excitement and anxiety at the start of a new school year. Gail Smith shares tips on actions you can take to ease the pressure for your child and let them know you are navigating this journey together.
Read MoreHeading back to school is an adventure, but we know it can bring butterflies for some! Gail Smith has awesome tips to help your family smoothly glide into the new school year. Let's make it an exciting journey together!"
Read MoreWho really sets new year goals and sticks to them? Here are some fun suggestions by Gail Smith that may get you thinking about new ways to engage with your children throughout the year we have just commenced.
Read MoreShow your children that all of life is a learning experience and that it is ongoing. Explore these 8 tips with Gail Smith to make learning innovative and fun.
Read MoreTalk less, listen more next time when you are having a conversation with your children. Consider the following reasons why active listening is so important by Gail Smith.
Read MoreBeyond the holiday joys, discover exciting ways to usher in the new year with your family in a truly meaningful and memorable manner.
Read MoreWhat we say and how we say it has such an impact on our child. Consider the following thoughts about the positive impact speaking well has on your child.
Read MoreHere are 5 benefits of teaching children great manners.
Read MoreFor some children, school can be challenging on many different levels. This blog aims to provide emotional support and practical strategies for parents to navigate the ups and downs of their children's school lives.
Read MoreThe school year is quickly coming to a close. Here are a few parental tips that can assist your child with their final term of the year. Read here for more information.
Read MoreRead on for 9 ways to help your child learn to read.
Read MoreIt can be a fine line between pushing the child to read and gently setting the scene to help them. Reading is vital in a child’s development and learning. Here’s some tips to encourage reading at home.
Read MoreTrying to build in politically correct curriculum in a primary setting is thwart with difficulty. For a start, children are slowly developing reason and this takes time and patience. If you give them information that has no relevance to their world, it is not likely to be retained in the longer term nor comprehended effectively.
Primary years are foundational years, where the curriculum should be mainly around developing a child’s literacy and numeracy skills. It touches on areas such as science and technology, raising awareness of the arts, physical education and of course social skills and some history. That is a very brief explanation. A child should leave the primary school with confidence in their ability to learn independently and to have an inquiring mind into learning. It is not a time to influence children in politically orientated agendas, which will always change over time. A confident learner, who is open to learning, is what we want for our children. When they are older and can reason and rationalise, then discussing political matters has its purpose.
In my experience of over 29 years as Principal, I have worked through at least four major changes in curriculum and I have developed some clear beliefs about this topic. The mere fact that changes occur sends shudders through teachers who have to relearn and professionally skill themselves with new material to teach, assess, plan etc. They will also bemoan the fact that much time is taken in class for realigning curriculum which means less teaching time. Teachers are by nature learners and will always try new material but of course within reason.
Teachers in a primary setting know all too well that they are developing children socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. It is a mixture of many things, which ultimately bring a child to a sense of feeling secure and happy in their learning style.
Curriculum should:
Enable children to be confidently literate and numerate. This is a significant focus in our primary schools. Without these basic skills, understanding the world is very difficult. Tackling secondary school can be so difficult, given that they have expectations that are challenging for those less skilled in literacy and numeracy.
Invite children to question. The more they question and engage in talking about their work, the greater capacity they have to learn.
Be relevant for the times, having a focus on science and technology.
Ensure success and feelings of well being are built into all programs.
Give children a sense that they are capable learners.
The fundamental point here is that whatever new curriculum is designed, it needs to be robust and demand the best from our children. It should not be sullied or compromised by the inclusion of current political agendas. Having seen various curriculum initiatives over the years, the quality of teaching will only bring curriculum to life. The content is only a guideline, a framework. All is in the hands of the teacher. Let’s hear it for the skill of teachers!
‘Good teachers teach. Great teachers transform.’
- Queen Rania of Jordan