Supporting Our Kids Learning

I'm often asked the question 'What can we do toSo, I started creating little games. You know
support our childrens education out of school?'.those kind of I spy games. But I took it further
The answer they receive is not always the oneand started to write quizzes. But ones that were
they expect. They expect me to tell them to dorelevant to being on a journey. For example, I
something very time consuming and somethingwould tell everyone to look out for a speed sign
that involves spending money.and as soon as we all heard the speed on the
But the truth is, I simply tell them to usespeed sign we would write down all the ways we
worksheets.could think of to make that number. It seems so
To teachers, worksheets are an answer tosimple but games like this kept us busy for hours.
prayer. The can be used to see where childrenAnd the kids loved it. In fact, even I found it fun.
are at (in terms of: do they have a clue what youYou find these worksheets for journeys by
just taught them?), they can be used to practicefollowing the link below:
on and they can be used as a recap tool. TheyAnd your kids won't hate you for giving them
are brilliant!worksheets to do, in everyday life. Children enjoy
A great thing about worksheets is that they arelearning and love showing you, their parents, what
not only available to teachers. They are availablethey can do. Worksheets give them the
to parents too. However, as parents, we oftenopportunity to do this.
don't know how to use them or where to useThey also give you the opportunity to support
them.your child's learning and, more importantly, spend
About a year ago we went away on a familytime with your children. So often, we go through
holiday to Wales. We were in the car for arounddays without really spending time with our kids.
7 hours. That's right, 7 hours with bored kids andBut worksheets allow us to spend time with our
frustrated parents. Usually, when we are going tokids and support their learning.
be in one place for a long time, I take someIt's these times that your children will really
things for the kids to do but as you can imagineremember and appreciate when they older. The
they had exhausted everything I had broughtfact that you took time out for them and just
along within the first 4 hours. It was at this time,enjoyed being with them.
in desperation, that I decided to take action.