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Joe’s Jotter: Parents & Primary School Children Working in Harmony

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Joe’s Jotter: Parents & Primary School Children Working in Harmony

Joe’s Jotter: Parents & Primary School Children Working in Harmony.
 
Parents are now taking a greater role and Interest in their children’s education more than ever. However, this can be a difficult task, as many parents are working from home (and away) and are trying to support their child’s learning also. It can be difficult to achieve the exact ‘hands on’ balance,  and of course each child’s needs are different. Creating a consistent routine, keeping positive, keeping calm, putting rules and consequences in place, allowing time for your child, talking to, and reassuring them are all factors that will contribute to producing a more harmonious learning environment.

I have worked with a Primary Teacher to develop this feature, and I hope you will find it helpful as we move to a new normal and different ways of learning and communicating. In this feature I have included some areas we consider important to you as a parent. I hope they are of some help and create a safe, happy and loving environment for your child.

It is important to plan a daily structure and involve your child in this process. With your child, sit down together and draw up a balanced timetable of learning, fun and breaks. A child will follow a timetable better if they help plan it and this will also build their confidence. In doing this you are giving them a level of ownership to control and determine their own routine.


Tips on planning a routine and timetable
  • Set times to get up and go to bed
  • Agree a timeline including structured work, recreational/practical activities, and breaks
  • Choose activities the child enjoys
  • Plan short sessions e.g. 20 mins and always allow flexibility. There is no set time if the learning is balanced and varied
  • Identify times you can work with them and times they can work independently
  • Aim to include movement breaks regularly throughout the day
  • Ask your child what they like to do and include this in the daily schedule
  • Introduce a positive reward system e.g. choice time, sticker chart. treats etc
  • Decorate the timetable and display it at your child’s eye level
Supporting Schoolwork at Home

Junior Infants – 2nd Class

The best way to support children of this age is to:
  • Sit with them as they work
  • Work for short intervals
  • Take movement and snack breaks
  • Use the outdoors to break away from tabletop tasks
  • Use a reward system
  • Encourage your child to focus on the task in front of them
  • Read words/questions carefully
  • Form letters correctly
  • Check correct pencil grip
  • Have concrete materials readily available for number work
  • Provide practical experiences for Maths work, e.g. Shapes around me, weighing food from the cupboard, counting, checking etc
  • Challenge them by asking different types of questions in various subject areas
  • Try and relate topic areas to your child’s own experiences
  • Always give praise and encouragement
3rd Class – 6th Class
  • Allow children to work independently as much as possible
  • Offer support and assistance as needed
  • Assess learning by observing, questioning and correcting work
  • Monitor presentation of work and handwriting
  • Look at their school workplan beforehand to familiarise yourself with the different subject areas
  • Use age appropriate actions from the ‘Junior Infants - 2nd Class’ list above
Outside the Classroom

It is important for your child to enjoy free time and activities they have fun with. Here are a range of activities that you and your child can choose from:
  • Practice how to keep safe during Corona virus spread
  • Exercise, sport, games
  • Imaginative free play
  • Fine motor skills: Lego, play dough, beading, building blocks and cutting
  • Linking in with loved ones and friends on voice calls and video calls as social interaction is very important
  • Learn life skills: indoors and outdoors (Choose jobs that children can do)
 - Baking, cooking, gardening, (planting, weeding), setting the table, emptying the dishwasher, making their bed, tidying their room, folding clothes, sorting clothes, hanging out the washing, farming (safely) etc

Media and Online Time

It is important that your child has access to recommended online facilities during any school closures where possible. Ensure your child’s safety online and set up parent controls on devices to monitor child’s activities online. Below I will list some of the more useful websites you can work on with your child.
It’s a good idea to link with the school and class teacher through email, in order to give and receive feedback and to send on work samples for assessment.
  

Twelve Useful Websites to Support You as Parents

helpmykidlearn.ie (Learning for all Age Groups)
PrimaryScience.ie (Science)
twinkl.ie/offer (enter the code IRLTWINKLHELPS)
webwise.ie (Online safety)
vooks.com (Literacy)
starfall.com (Literacy)
scoilnet.ie (All curricular areas)
topmarks.co.uk (Maths)
learn.khanacademy.org/khan-academy-kids (Words and Numbers)

askaboutireland.ie (SESE)
krokotak.com  (Arts and crafts/colouring)
positiveparentingsolutions.com (Parental Advice)
 
“Mistakes are proof that you are trying.”
 
More details about Joe’s Maths Tuition
Classes for Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate (2024) and his Award Winning ACE Maths Solution Books can be found via the links below.

ACE Maths Tuition Classes:
acesolutionbooks.com/ace-maths-tuition

ACE Maths Solution Books: acesolutionbooks.com/buy-my-books

Joe’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JoeMcCormackEducationalExpert
 
 
Learn more about...ACE Maths Tuition (October 2024)
 
 
 
 
Copyright © Joe McCormack 2024, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Joe McCormack (ACE Maths Tuition),
85 Canterbrook,
Trim Road,
Navan, Co. Meath. (C15AK0D)
Ireland

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