How to motivate your child to learn

 Most students aren't born good learners. In fact, some of the best ones take the time to develop the right strategy to learn. Yes, a child’s personality and ability do play a huge role when it comes to their schooling and education, but the best learners are the ones that have a positive mindset and made the choice to become a good learners. One of the biggest mistakes teachers and parents can make is limiting a child’s learning in the classroom. Whilst the classroom can be the primary source of academic growth, what a child brings from outside matters just as much. If you are on the search to enhance your child's desire and ability to learn, then look no further. 

Here are some tips on how to motivate your child with their learning. 

Help your child develop a love for reading. Reading in itself can be a key to success in life. those who enjoy reading will grow to enjoy learning as well. Reading not only helps children to develop a rich vocabulary but also helps the brain learn how to process different types of concepts and communication. 

The skills gained from reading are much more valuable than perceived. students who read well in hunts and ability to learn in all of their subjects including maths, English, and science. Read with your child frequently. this could be 20 minutes before bed every single day. The key is to make reading fun and not a chore. 

Allow your child to pick their own books in order to make this activity more enjoyable.

Allow your child to feel in control when it comes to education. When a child feels in control of something, they usually put in more effort. Provide your child with the ability to have direct input in what their education consists of. 

This could be the way content is delivered or giving your child the decision to choose what they learn about. Giving your child the freedom to choose their own extracurriculars is a great way for them to feel as though they are leading their academic journey.

Introduce your child to different types of learning styles to see which one suits them best. By helping your child discover their preferred learning style, it could be the reason that their quality of learning improves rapidly.

*sponsored post*

Is an apprenticeship the right choice for my child?

When it comes to moving on to further education, the traditional route most choose is A-levels. The feeling of moving onto sixth form can be daunting given the pros and cons of each route. However, current times have shown us that there are a number of ways to achieve similar goals, and it doesn’t always have to be the way that’s taught. Apprenticeships have been around for a very long time and have become a popular path for students. They offer a combination of studying as well as paid employment which places the individual straight into the workforce, resulting in a professional qualification. The best part is that there aren’t any tuition fees which makes it accessible to all. 

Below, we will look at reasons why an apprenticeship could be the right choice for your child. 

Apprenticeships provide a focused style of training and learning. This is particularly useful if your child has a specific field of work they would like to go into such as beauty, hairdressing, business, and public services. If your child is showing real interest in something specific, give this route a go.

Not everyone wants to go down the university route or is suited to the style of learning it offers. Apprenticeships may be the way forward for your child if they prefer a more practical approach to attaining their qualifications. If you found your child thrived in coursework during GCSEs, this may be a sign.

Apprenticeships help develop some of the most important skills needed in life that usually cannot be attained through traditional studies. These skills are transferable and are taught through training on the job. These can provide your child with an advantage in the future when applying for full-time employment as they will have already gained the required skills expected for the workforce. 

It is important to consider if your child will be able to handle both studies and work. The salary is usually a lot lower so they should consider their finances when it comes to travel if they are living away from home. Give it some time and talk it through with your child. Best of luck!

*sponsored post*

5 fun ways to spend October half term

There is so much that can be done with your children during this October half-term. 

Autumn is the perfect time to take children outdoors as the weather is not too hot or too cold. there were muddy puddles for them to splash about in and crunchy golden leaves to kick and play in. Autumn is also a great time to get crafty with natural materials. 

With your child off school and at home for a week, you may be on the hunt for different things to do to keep them occupied. Well, look no further! here are some tips on five fun ways to spend the October half-term with your children.

Book a family getaway. 

A cosy break such as this seaside break in West Sussex can be the perfect way to wind down whilst keeping their children entertained. there is an array of places to choose from such as a simple house by the beach or a cabin in the woods surrounded by forest walks and bike trails. 

The choices are endless.

Make an outdoor den with your child this autumn. 

Outdoor play is perfect in this type of weather which is why spending time in the garden can be enjoyable for the little ones. try to make it a competition between kids to see who can make the best den using outdoor materials. This will keep them both occupied and entertained for a very long time. 

The satisfaction of being able to use their den during the October half-term will be more than enough for them. 

Visit a pumpkin patch together. 

October is all about the bright-coloured leaves and the spooky season of Halloween. Put your wellies on and head to a pumpkin patch to really get yourself in the autumn mood. 

Your child can pick out their own pumpkin and carve them for Halloween. 

This is an October staple and cannot be missed!

*sponsored post*

How To Choose Play Equipment For The Whole Family

You may think that play equipment choices only include the brightly coloured plastic cheap looking (despite the cost not being so cheap generally).

 Still, you may be surprised to learn that a great range of natural material play equipment is sturdy enough for adults to use too.

If you are going to buy play equipment, why not consider a more natural look for your outdoor space where the whole family can benefit? 

Not only could it last much longer, but it could be more aesthetically appealing in your garden too. 

The benefits of natural materials for outdoor gym equipment

Quality wooden and stainless steel outdoor gym and play equipment is incredibly sturdy and hardwearing and is perfect for families to have for many generations. With that in mind, you can transform your garden or open space to have play equipment that the whole family can use. 

Choosing natural wood will mean it can be used all year round, it will last longer than plastic as the sun doesn't do the same damage to wood as it does the plastic children's equipment, and it will look and feel natural even on the hotter days. Natural woods such as oak and Robinia look great too and are a far more realistic view from a living room window, so your garden will not feel overrun by bright artificial plastics. 

Sensory and Sustainable

Children can learn the feel of natural wood when playing outside. Wood and metals offer a greater sensory experience. Far too often, overused plastic is the main focus of children's play, so having the opportunity, whether in your own garden or by a family trip to the park, is great for children to learn about the benefits of sustainable and natural materials.

 Choosing natural resources is possible through suppliers such as PlayEquip, who can provide professional advice, individual outdoor play and gym equipment, and bespoke solutions for your home garden or local open space.

How to choose equipment for all ages

Spending time outside is essential for both adults and children to help look after overall fitness and health and improve mental wellbeing, so why not have fun and play together. With the right outdoor play equipment families can take traditional bonding time outdoors. Choosing sturdier equipment means adults can join in with the kids having fun and getting fitter while they do so.

Exercising as a family is a great way to set good habits, encourage those less able, and build on what each person can do. Often exercise is one of the first things to be forfeited if time is tight, and visits to the gym can get in the way of everyday family life, so choose play equipment that offers options for the whole family.

Examples could include

·      Outdoor pull-up bars

·      Monkey bars

·      Climbing walls

·      Weave bars

·      Rope climbs

·      Balance beams and wobble boards

·      Trampolines

 

Exercise targets to reach

Consider family play equipment that enables you as a family to exercise using the three key exercise focuses

 

·      Aerobic – raising your heart rate for a prolonged period. Such as jumping on a trampoline. They can be sunk into the ground, making them safer for all ages.

·      Strengthening – pulling up on monkey bars, pull-up bars, and climbing walls to improve arm, leg and core body, spine, and abdomen strength

·      Flexibility -  balance boards, wobble boards, and everything else we have already mentioned will help build body flexibility for all ages. 

 

As we age, we should keep on top of regular daily exercise, and spending time outside exercising is good for our health too, so using family-friendly outdoor play equipment with or without the kids will improve overall health and help in everyday life chores too.

 

Flexible solutions to suit your space

 If you have a small garden, don't have room for an indoor gym, or don't like or want plastic only safe for small children in your garden or open space, then natural wood and metal choices are the answer. 

Whether you buy a bespoke set-up or individual pieces, there is a wealth of play and outdoor gym equipment that the whole family can use, and it will look far more natural and enable you to connect with nature.

 

*sponsored post

Teaching Your Child to Manage Their Emotions

As a parent, an important thing to know is that the way you react to your children's emotions has an impact on the development of their emotions. We are all born with emotions but knowing how to safely handle them is taught. 

As a baby, the only way they can communicate is through their emotions even though they have no clue what it is. There are primary emotions like anger, joy, and fear as well as secondary emotions like anxiety which comes from fear, or violence which comes from anger. These are learned through experiences. 

Here are some ways to teach your child to manage their emotions.

Through childhood, secondary emotions come into play more. They are at a standstill between understanding which emotions are appropriate and which ones aren’t and how to express the emotion they’re truly feeling deep inside. 

As a parent, the best thing to do is sit your child down in this situation and help them through it.

 The first thing to do is to identify what it is they are feeling and find out what triggered it. Through this alone, you’re teaching your child a coping mechanism on how to manage these emotions by themselves.

Model this behaviour yourself. When abruptly hit with emotions that are overwhelming, try and take a couple of minutes to remind yourself of your child who may be watching or listening and take appropriate measures to handle it. 

Children learn from what they see and the majority of the time it’s how their parents behave that engraves habits into them. If a child is exposed to many negative emotions, it can make them struggle in the future. 

Similarly taught in these private colleges, try and keep a balance of emotions exposed and attempt to stay more positive for better long-term effects. 

Validating your child's emotions will ultimately allow them to independently manage them as well as understanding when and where is appropriate to show certain ones. 

Creating that safe space of understanding will allow your child to develop the skills to effectively manage their emotions no matter what situation they’re in.

*Sponsored post

Helping Your Child Develop Their Critical Thinking Skills

Being a critical thinker will help your child succeed in both education and life. Every day, children put these skills to the test, especially in school. Good thinking is an essential skill to build as a habit.

Here are some ways to help your child develop their critical thinking skills.

Encourage agreements and disagreements. 

The ability of a child to decide whether they are for or against a situation shows great critical thinking skills. In order for them to do this correctly, ask your child to explain why they think the way they do as this will give an indication of whether or not they are correctly using their critical thinking skills. 

Ask further questions. If the situation is someone has stolen another person's belonging, your child’s answer may be because “it’s not nice”. Asking your child why they feel this way about the situation will allow them to provide a reason for their answers.

Joining extracurricular activities such as a debating club which is provided in this independent prep school in Birmingham, is a good way for your child to develop their critical thinking skills. Another benefit is that they can test their skills with children of a similar age to them. 

Encouraging your child to learn how to be a better listener is imperative in many aspects such as this. Allowing the other person to think and speak with no interruptions is necessary to become a critical thinker.

Above all, being a good role model is best. 

Become a critical thinker yourself and show your child how it’s done. After all, children pick up most of their habits by watching their parents so this is an easy method to naturally develop your child’s critical thinking skills. Allow yourself to improve where necessary and observe the positive changes it makes on your child.

*sponsored post

How to Boost Your Child’s Imagination

Children with a healthy imagination grow up to see the world with a vivid approach and tend to become creative problem solvers. When your child picks up a block and pretends to be on the phone, this is a great visual of development. 

Here are some ways to boost your child's imagination every day.

The best and easiest method is to read to your child. Encourage them to build an affinity to books as it can lead to a lifelong skill that helps them throughout their life. 

Reading can spark the imagination of a child. You can help this further progress by allowing them to ask questions, making up their own endings, and even going on to writing their own stories later on. If reading at home is difficult, take them to your local library. You’ll see an instant fascination by them looking at the rows of books with a guarantee that your child will leave with at least one book in their hand.

Playing is also an easy way to boost your child’s imagination. A private school in Buckingham shows that play is a great way for children to bond as well as parents and children alike. With schedules being tight, it can be difficult to find time to play with your child, so use your imagination too. 

Play water games with them at bath time or make play games whilst waiting in a traffic jam. Incorporate educational games in there too. The options are endless. 

Create art. Children melt at the sight of a table full of glitter, glue, and different materials. Do art sessions with your child and allow it to get messy. Decide on a broad topic and allow your child to get experimental. 

Once they’re done, ask them to describe what’s on their canvas. A smudge of different paint colours to you, maybe a rainforest full of animals to them. Allow them to see further than just a smudge on a piece of paper. This will help them thrive creatively.

*sponsored post