Jj is for Jottings 64. Raising a Reader Part 4: Early Readers.
Continuing from
https://educatingalpacas.com/raising-a-reader-part-1-the-baby/
https://educatingalpacas.com/raising-a-reader-part-2-toddlers/ and
https://educatingalpacas.com/raising-a-reader-part-3-emerging-readers/, your child has now begun to read Continue reading
Jj is for Jottings 62. Raising a Reader Part 2. Toddlers.
Continuing from the previous article (here), you cannot overestimate the importance of reading with a child at the toddler stage – for intellectual, social and emotional development. They take in everything: vocabulary and language structure, numbers and math concepts, colours, shapes, opposites and many other language concepts, animals, manners and all kinds of useful information about how the world works. What’s more, when you read out loud, Continue reading
Jj is for Jottings 56. 3 More Techniques for Helping Your Child’s Language.
We used all these language techniques with our “children”, but it seems that they still have too much screen time.
This follows on from Jottings 55, so you will need to read that first. (See https://educatingalpacas.com/general-language-stimulation-technique-1-modelling/). I decided to combine the last three techniques into one article: Continue reading
Jj is for Jottings 55. Helping Your Child’s Language – Technique 1: Modelling.
Shikha and Shanti as kittens. They have to be careful when in the paddock with the alpacas because the alpacas will sometimes chase them. Although we refer to them as “the kids”, we didn’t have to bother with language modelling for them. Besides, they’re Burmese, and I wouldn’t know which language to model!
There are several ways in which parents naturally encourage the development of children’s language in conversation, and you may be using some or all of them without being aware of it. Continue reading
Jj is for Jottings 50. Rhyming, Climbing, Miming… (Part 1)
Geisha had a little cria,
But in this pic you cannot see ‘er!
(With thanks to David for this one.)
Children are not often introduced to nursery rhymes, these days, and in fact most seem to have little exposure to rhymes in their early childhood. People seem to think that the old-fashioned nursery rhymes are silly and don’t make sense Continue reading
From the colour I thought it was Geisha on the shearing table (she’s medium fawn), but when I saw her face on the next frame it turned out to be Nina – white! I should add that the alpacas are not suffering whilst on the shearing table – not keen, but not suffering, and the result feels so wonderful – no more itchy grass seeds against their skin, and ….freedom! Looking at her this way makes me want to tickle her tummy.
Jj is for Jottings 41. Cutting Out Visual Props.
Enlarging upon the comment on Jottings 40 made by Ann on Facebook, who said she finds another great listening activity is to read a story to children without pictures – spot on! When you ask them questions about the story afterwards, you will really begin to find out their ability to listen and to Continue reading
1. Shanti decided she would jump onto Glenn’s back to get a good view of the toenail cutting. 2. “A good position – I think I’ll sit down.” 3. Settled in to watch the full performance.
Jj is for Jottings 35. Comments Made By Experienced Teachers.
Following are some observations I have made and some comments made by experienced teachers in the last couple of years. I find that experienced teachers have an excellent understanding of what enhances learning and what undermines learning, partly because of their long experience Continue reading
Jj is for Jottings 28. A Neuroscientist’s Comments on Children’s Development.
Baroness Greenfield, a neuroscientist at Oxford University, maintains that technology is re-wiring brains, particularly for young people growing up knowing nothing else. She asserts that a young person who hasn’t yet developed a clear and strong sense of identity and social skills will respond differently Continue reading
Another view of the family cos they are so cute!
Jj is for Jottings 20. The Other Side of the Coin.
Last time I talked about the important role speech pathologists can play in literacy, and this is quite true. In theory, we can make a huge difference. However, as with learning any new skills or working to improve existing skills, practice is paramount. Continue reading
