15 Easy Ways to Help Your Child Learn at Home

Sidney brought home her first Report Card for the year.

I've always been really hard on myself when it comes to school. Anything below a 90% is a disappointment in my eyes. So it's kind of difficult to not beat myself up over Sidney's Progress Report Card (which is different than a regular Provincial Report Card).

Not that I have much to be disappointed about. A lot of G's for good and an E for excellent. 

But I can't help but wonder if I had spent more time with Sidney on her school work if she could have done better? Isn't it my responsibility as a parent to help her succeed to the best of her abilities?

Luckily the point of the Progress Report Card is to show her progress for the beginning of the school year and point out what Sidney is doing good on and what we could work on.

Since Sidney got average marks, I suppose we could do a little bit of work on everything. So I started to think of different ways I can help Sid learn at home and this is what I came up with.

15 Activities to Encourage Learning

Reading:

1. Weekly library visits! We are more likely to read every night when we have new books to read. Even with Sidney's growing book collection, it gets dull and not nearly as exciting.

2. Get to bed earlier! Some nights when we're pressed for time and are simply too tired to read, we will skip it altogether.

3. Select books for her age. If a book is too difficult, Sid gets frustrated. If it's too easy, she's not learning anything. I find it's a good idea for her to test a page or two at the library or book store before taking the book home.

Writing:

1. Don't rush! Sidney often rushes through things and when it comes to writing, she gets sloppy. It's important to get her to slow down and put more effort into the neatness, and the proper spelling.

2. Activity books! These are awesome. They cost a dollar, they have Disney princesses on them and she has fun working out of them.

3. Journals and notebooks! I've been journalling all my life, and just this year Sidney started, too. I tried to make it a nightly ritual, but I found it too difficult to make her to do it every night and it took the fun out of it. Instead, I encourage her to write in it when she has something really awesome to say about her day and it helps her with her writing

Math:

1. Again, activity books! Cheap, fun and you can select which level to buy. Sidney gets the grade 1 level which has simple addition and subtraction that she can almost do by herself with a little bit of help.

2. Computer games! There are a ton of free games online that help with adding, subtracting, graphs and everything else. Plus, it helps Sidney learn how to use a computer which is super important in today's society.

3. Add it into every day activities! Math is one of those subjects that many people don't really enjoy, but when your children are still young and doing simple math equations (that you can still understand) it's easy to incorporate it into every day activities. For example, you can count toys as you tidy up. You can add your food, "I have three carrots and five apple slices. That equals 8!" Sidney actually enjoys that one. 

Visual Arts:

1. Don't just doodle! Doodling is fun, but it's not challenging. I find that when I give Sidney a task, or a specific thing to draw like a giraffe, or a portrait of me, she concentrates more and does a better job.

2. Get creative! Being creative is a huge part of visual arts and children are still naturally very creative (or at least the ones I've been around are). Get out your craft supplies; pipe cleaners, googly eyes, buttons, stickers, construction paper, glue, scissors, recycled toilet paper rolls, dry beans, whatever you have around, and go crazy! Create macaroni sculptures, make a birdhouse out of Popsicle sticks, or use things from nature to create a landscape picture by gluing things like leaves, grass and twigs onto cardboard. Help your child think out of the box!

3.  Take your time! Sidney seems to rush through things, so I've really had to help her slow down, enjoy the process and to put effort into her artwork.This way she can think of how she wants to do things, and we can discuss why she chose to do it that way to help her understand her own art better.

Other Things:

1. Kitchen science expirements are a lot of fun for kids. Something as simple as cornstarch, water and food dye is a great way to explain solids and liquids while having fun.

2. Getting outside to play really helps with physical activity, balance, coordination, health, etc. Go to the park, bring a Frisbee or a soccer ball, get on the jungle gym, play tag, or whatever else you like to do. Sidney's favourite activity at the park is going on the swings.

3. A few other things we need to work on as a family is to keep things neat and tidy at home. To help her organize her desk and toys, to teach her to clean up after herself and to enjoy it.

I need to encourage her curiosity, help her explore the world around her, to try new things, to look for new opportunities and experiences. Children are really amazing. It blows my mind how much she wants to learn, and by tweaking little things here and there throughout the day it can really help her grow.

What are some things you do at home to help your children learn?

Thanks, 

Cole

RESP For My Daughter

Yesterday I went to the bank and opened an RESP for my daughter. This is something I've been wanting to do for quite some time now, but I wasn't sure how to go about it, or if I could afford to put money away for her education.

 

Having to get a student loan for myself made me realize how important an RESP is. If I want to help Sidney pay for post secondary school, and avoid the hassle of student loans, this is the way to do it.

 

And once I got to the bank and sat down with one of the employees I found out it really isn't as complicated as I thought it would be. Mind you, I'm still not one hundred percent sure on everything he was talking about, but he gave me a gigantic booklet I can read through later.

 

One of the most interesting things I found out earlier this summer was that because we're considered a "low-income family" living in Ontario, the government will put $500 into Sid's RESP right away. Every year afterwards until she reaches the age 15 they will deposit another $100 up to $2000. On top of this free money, they will match up to 40% of whatever I put in. So if I deposit a $100, they will deposit $40! Pretty cool, eh? It's called the Canadian Learning Bond (or CLB) and it's what motivated me to set up an appointment this year.

 

I also have it set up to automatically deposit $50 at the end of each month into her RESP. I might have to switch it to something cheaper but I can change things up anytime I want to. Including the option to deposit money into it whenever.

The bank employee also explained a little bit about investments with me, and interest rates and high risk accounts and what not. My brain doesn't work with numbers, or interest rates, or other such things, so I had to kind of go with his opinion on it. If I do learn more about this stuff and feel like I want to change it later on, I can do that, too.

 

Getting this RESP finally set up for Sidney made me feel really good. I like knowing I'm doing the best I can for my daughter. And it's nice to know there are so many different programs and options for lower income families, you just have to figure out where to go and who to ask.

 

Did your parents have money put aside for your education? Or have you set one up for your child(ren)?

 

Thanks,

Cole

Early Spring Scavenger Hunt in the Woods

Scavenger Hunt

 

Playing in the forest.

Having a scavenger hunt can be a great way to spend a couple of hours outdoors. Sidney and her cousin had a lot of fun running around and looking for the items on our list.

Here's the list we used. Feel free to use it.

Day 16 Blog Challenge - My Biggest Accomplishment

31 Day Blog Challenge - March

 

My Biggest Accomplishment

My daughter, Sidney, is my biggest accomplishment. 

It's been tough, being a young parent, but Sidney has turned into an amazing little girl. She's kind, smart, happy, healthy and thriving. As most of my readers will know, I had my daughter when I was 17. It was terrifying, and amazing all at the same time. 

Sidney is my greatest accomplishment not only because of how awesome she is, but because of all the things she has taught me and motivated me to do.

Having Sidney in my life has been an amazing adventure.

Another great accomplishment of mine is graduating high school, which was just last year. I dropped out to raise Sidney the way I wanted to. Finishing high school wasn't easy, but I want to be able to provide the best for my daughter.

And, I'm going to college this September!

Check out my previous challenges:

Day 1 - Portrait
Day 2 - Favourite Quote
Day 3 - What Makes Me Happy
Day 4 - Best Childhood Memory
Day 5 - Favourite Movies I Never Get Sick Of
Day 6 - Random Acts of Kindness
Day 7 - My Dream Job
Day 8 - Pet Peeves
Day 9 - What's on Your Life List?
Day 10 - Daily Routine
Day 11 - The Last Books I've Read
Day 12 - Something I Miss
Day 13 - Regret
Day 14 - Music
Day 15 - I am Awesome! 

Thanks, 

Mom is the Most Annoying Word

"Mom" can be the most annoying word in existence.

You know when your baby is first learning how to talk, you're so desperate for them to learn the word mommy or daddy? Well, when Sidney first started to talk I, too, couldn't wait for her to learn how to say mommy, and my mom, Grandma, Aunt and every other mom in my life warned me that I would soon hate it. I considered that, but I still couldn't wait.

No doubt, hearing her say "I love you mommy" will always make my heart skip a beat, but then there are the times when all she says is "Mom! Mom! Mom!" And I try to respond but she won't shush even for a second so I can get a word in. So I have to yell, "What do you want?!"

And then Sidney will say, "You don't have to yell, Mom." all mature and grown-up-like.

I really believe she does this just to annoy me, because afterwards she'll start giggling.

Why not "Dad"?

It's obvious why she comes to me for things instead of her dad. I raised her full-time while he worked crazy hours. I've always been the one to feed her, dress her, play with her, take her out shopping or to the park, read her bedtime stories, bath her, etc. A mom's job is never done. It would be nice though if she could start asking her dad for things. Why is it I'm the one who has to jump up to get her a drink? Her dad is just as capable. And he'll do it if I ask him, I'm not saying he won't help out his kid. I'm just saying Sidney doesn't ask him nearly as much as she asks me for things.

Not only things but for attention.

Did you ever notice when you're trying to do something, that's when kids want your attention the most? For example, if I'm on the computer checking messages while she is home she will be doing the whole "Mom! Mom! Mom!" thing and start yanking on my sleeve, whining that she's bored and wants to play, then she's thirsty, hungry, tired, wants a movie on and it doesn't end until I get frustrated and close my laptop.

However, if I'm just sitting on the couch staring off into space she will amuse herself. She'll help herself to an apple, manage to fill her own water bottle, she'll sit and play nicely. That's when you think you can get up and sneak in some dish washing time, but when she notices you have left the couch she follows and it starts again.

This rarely happens to Daddy. He can play darts out in the garage, surf the net, play his bass guitar and do basically anything he feels like with very minimal interruptions from Sidney.

I love being a mom (most of the time), but I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be the dad instead.

Oh well, I stay happy knowing he will get his torture time come the teenage girl years. I've been a teenage girl (not so long ago) and he's in for one hell of a time! Ha ha ha!

Does your child(ren) do this to you, too?

Thanks,



Best Free Activities Are At The Library

photo credit: artsjournal.com

If you are anything like me than I'm going to assume you like free things. Because really, who doesn't? And the best kind of free, is free fun - at the library!

I don’t know much about other community libraries but I do know that the chain of libraries here in my city have so much fun, free things going on all year round.

They have:

• art exhibitions,
• plays,
• children drop-in activities,
• art programs,
• family reading nights,
• speeches,
• art sales,
• contests,
• and so much more.

Every March Break, PA Day and Winter Holidays there are fun events planned for kids and teenagers to participate in. And to top it off, the friendly staff at the libraries are always introducing new and exciting programs all the time!

That’s not even including the fact that you can take out books, DVDs, magazines and Cds for free.

BOOKS!

For someone like myself who is an avid reader I’m constantly in need of new books all the time. I take out fictional books, craft books, recipe books, business books, magazines and children’s book. Once a month I must take out at least 6 - 10 books!

MOVIES!

My daughter and I like to have movie nights on the weekend. We’ll go down to the library and choose a couple movies - one for her and one for me - and plan a family evening, and as long as you don’t return them late it’s absolutely free to take them out for 7 days. The movie selection is pretty good, too. Ranging from new releases to old classics like Breakfast At Tiffany’s, and television shows for kids and grownups.

MUSIC!

Bored of your CD collection? The library usually has plenty of those to choose from, too! No matter how often I go I always manage to find something new to listen to. Sure, I could hop on YouTube or listen to the radio, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to listen to an entire album without having to constantly go over and select a new song.

So why not check out your local library, if you haven’t already?

What’s your favourite part about the library?

Thanks,

The Magic of Santa

Sidney - Christmas Morning 2010

When I was a (younger) teenager, before Sidney was even conceived I thought that if I ever had children I wouldn't lie to them and teach them about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or any other sort of “magical” creature.

Now that I’m actually a parent I really do believe that children should believe in magic. Could you imagine a childhood where fairies didn't exist? That’s unicorns just aren't real and Santa isn't logical? How dull and boring that would be? 

I’ve heard a lot of people say that it’s teaching your children that lying is okay, that it’s deceiving and makes you lose credibility. 

However, 

I think that it helps strengthen her imagination, 

that it gives her hope, 

Is a part of childhood and growing up,

That it’s a nice tradition, one that’s been around for a long time.

Can’t you remember Christmas Eve? Trying to stay awake, lying silently in bed waiting to hear hooves on your rooftop? That excited feeling? Why wouldn't I want my daughter to have that experience? Being able to wake up early, race downstairs to admire all the gifts, to feel that special magic on Christmas morning that Santa, a kind and generous man, had brought to us on Christmas Eve.

There really is no harm in Santa Claus. I remember when I first realized he wasn't real. I overheard my friend’s parents talking about which presents to sign by Santa and which to sign Mom and Dad. I was a little upset, but I already had my speculations. And did it traumatize me? Did I look at my parents as evil, lying and deceiving human beings? No, I didn't  I still looked and thought of them as the same parents as before. Only now I would thank them for the presents instead of Santa. 

Children are only children for so long, and every decade, every year that seems to be getting shorter and shorter. People expect so much of their children these days. We put them in a ton of extracurricular activities, force them to do extra homework and force so much responsibilities on them that they don’t even get a moment to relax. Now we expect them to stop believing, to start thinking like adults, too? 

I’m not saying people can’t and shouldn't reveal the truth about Santa Clause to their children. Everyone has different parenting methods, and none of them is right or wrong. In fact I know an atheist couple who doesn't even celebrate Christmas or any winter Holiday and that’s their choice, not mine. 

All I’m saying is I personally like having my daughter believe in magic.

What are your opinions on Santa Clause?

Thanks,