In this current situation, when parents are not only trying to deal with their own work issues, whether at work, trying to work from home, or even trying to find a new line of work, they are now faced with home schooling their children; it doesn’t matter the age, whether they’re toddlers or teens, many parents and children are faced with emotional psychological problems brought on by our crisis. With the focus on Children’s Mental Health Week, parenting skills are stretched to the limit as they have to take on these added problems with their children. For parents, along with their children/teens, it is frustrating and hard to cope with working from home, let alone trying to cope with the added new job description of teacher. I can tell you, as a teacher and assessor for many years in a variety of subjects, I have taught the under-fives, teens and adults, and it is most certainly an acquired skill. People learn in different ways, and having to adjust to an individual’s learning needs and requirements is essential for learning to actually take place. A person can be extremely knowledgeable in their subject, but if they don’t know how to deliver their knowledge to another, so that the other person is absorbing the information correctly, it is not good teaching or learning practice, and it can all seem to be a waste of time.
Whilst television and the internet is of course amazing, staring at the tablet or computer all day is tiring, causes eye strain and can be draining, especially if for long periods of time. Splitting teaching methods and using other activity resources can really help retain the attention spans, especially if there is interaction with others. A good way to do this is making things fun with ‘association techniques’ – using books, activity, creativity and role play can make all the difference in learning.
Keep the learning area separate from the relaxing areas if possible. Set time slots for class time. Make sure there is good ventilation in the room. Regular break times are important as attention dwindles without these breaks and learning will not take place at this point. Make sure food and drink is happening at regular intervals for retaining energy and concentration levels.
As I speak to many people and hear the different stories in adjusting to teaching at home, it seems there are some who have found a way to deal with it all and limit the stress, that can accompany home teaching and learning. One way is using informative books that cater for different learning styles. Independent Usborne Organiser at the Sunset Bookshop does just that, with a passion for finding the right books, suitable for each learner’s individual needs and styles of learning. With some simple questions by the independent organiser, the perfect type of books can be prescribed to suit the learning style required for the individual’s needs. A person can be sent some pictures or visual video footage to view some of the pages, or to decide if the books are suitable.
One of the reasons that makes the Sunset Bookshop so popular is that of the Usborne Organiser Lisa, who was so impressed with the Usborne Book Range, as it helps educate her own little one. Lisa decided to really get involved to help others find a way to benefit from these extraordinary books.
The books are unique as they cover different areas from everyday subjects of Maths and English, to other difficult topics of coping with loss, bereavement, stress etc. Many books are activity books which plays a big part in learning, especially for those busy brains who need extra fun stimulus, other than reading alone. From touch and feel books, books with piano keys and learning nursery rhymes, drawing, poetry, colouring, painting, science projects, making a historical castle or Greek temple, with all the templates to cut out and construct, puzzles, crosswords, writing a journal, short stories, the list is endless.
The range includes audio books with quick links to parent and teacher support online. The children’s reading library collections are OFSTED approved and available for schools and parents. Reviews from schools already handling Usborne Books can be seen on the website, and how working with an independent organiser has given increased flexibility working with limited resources and funding. The book range has around three thousand titles and a variety for all ages, from birth to young adults, and is great for child and parent working together. There really is a book for everyone that can help tackle those difficult subjects and eliminate the stress for both teacher and learner.
If you would like to view the full range, with advice by a specialist in the Usborne Book Range, and for guidance with a personal shopping experience and the latest discount offers, go to www.Facebook.com/sunset bookshop
Book and host a virtual party and get some free books. There are even recruitment opportunities for those book enthusiasts.
Love and Sparkles
Samsara x
www.samsarabellydancer.co.uk