The value of parental involvement cannot be overstated. Parents should be encouraged to read with their children outside of school hours. This shared reading experience enhances both reading skills and the parent-child relationship. Reading at home also demonstrates to children that reading is not only an academic skill but a worthwhile leisure activity that will continue into adulthood.
Teaching reading is a challenging task, but with the right approach and unlimited patience and support, every student can excel in this fundamental skill. Struggling students need to know that their difficulties do not define their intelligence. They need champions who believe in their abilities and who are ready to walk with them on their educational journey. Strong readers today build a society of empowered citizens tomorrow.
Parents can also promote reading by integrating reading into family activities. For example, let the child read the instructions while cooking, or prepare a shopping list. The aim is to show that reading isn't an isolated skill used only in school, but a vital part of everyday life.
In conclusion, a child’s playground may appear to be a realm of chaos and excitement, but within its confines are lessons for overcoming procrastination. By observing their strategies of task shifting, breaking down tasks, asking for help, and embracing failure, we find inspiration to overcome our own procrastination tendencies. After all, isn’t it often said that we should learn from the youngest among us?
Teachers reported that students were more engaged and retained information for longer periods. Ratings of student confidence also improved, suggesting these strategies may impact other, non-academic areas as well.
Lastly, children do not dwell on their mistakes. When they fall or fail, they quickly pick themselves up and go on to the next challenge. In adults, fear of failure often causes paralysis and procrastination. We can learn from children to accept that failure is part of life and not let it hinder our productivity.
Rather than learning one topic at a time, the subjects were mixed, and students practiced them in an interleaved fashion. By switching between different types of problems, students were forced to think about their responses critically. The interleaved practice led to a modest improvement of 8% in scores. Although slower to demonstrate benefits, by the conclusion of the study, students were able to solve complex problems with more ease and confidence.
Keeping reading relatable and connecting with students' lives can significantly boost their interest. For instance, incorporating meaningful texts, stories, or news into the curriculum can lead to a higher level of engagement. Additionally, technology provides a variety of tools, such as e-readers, eBooks, and reading apps like Raz-Kids and Epic! that can help pique students' interest.
The "Tailored Approach" was observed next, addressing each child's unique learning style and pace. This method utilized technological tools like speech-to-text software and word prediction programmes, enabling those with physical impediments to articulate their thoughts without the stress of physical writing. Also, simple tailoring such as allowing additional time, reduced writing workload, dictating answers to a scribe, and keyboarding instructions were effective in children with dyslexia and dyspraxia. Teachers also engaged the children in regular discussions about their progress, honing their self-reflection skills while simultaneously making the corrections feel less critical.
Surprisingly, the methodology behind Kids on the Yard is not entirely new. It resonates with the theories of Friedrich Froebel and Maria Montessori, leading lights of progressive education over a hundred years ago. Montessori, particularly, homeschooling teachers in Florida emphasized the need for exercise, fresh air, and interaction with the natural world as part of children's education. Today, schools subscribing to the Kids on the Yard approach are simply capitalizing on these age-old insights.
Evidence suggests that a key facet of childhood education lies in the development of written expression skills.