Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

  1. Do I have to be a teacher or know about teaching to use THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL?
  2. My child has finished Grade 1 and is struggling to learn the letters of the alphabet. Could THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL be useful for us?
  3. I am a home school parent- would THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL be appropriate for us?
  4. I am a teacher – can I use THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL with my class?
  5. My child is learning English as a second language – would THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL be appropriate for us?
  6. My child has a learning challenge – would THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL be appropriate for us?
  7. How do I know if my child is ready for the NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL?
  8. I don’t have much time in my life – how can I fit THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL in?
  9. How often do we need to play?
  10. What on earth are NOGSTM?
  11. My child can smell an educational game from a mile away – how do I introduce this system without hearing “Mommy, you aren’t my teacher”?
  12. Will you be bringing out a game to teach the upper-case letters of the alphabet?
  13. What does a typical Playsession look like?
  14. What is your refund policy?

Troubleshooting for parents of children currently playing THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL

  1. I have more than one child – it is difficult to get one on one time as the others want attention too.
  2. How do I sound the letters out correctly?
  3. My child doesn’t want to play THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL anymore.
  4. So what happens when we finish THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL?
  5. My child is not holding the dry marker properly.
  6. My child is struggling or not interested in writing the letters.
  7. My child doesn’t want to play one of the games.
  8. My child is struggling to remember any of the letters.
  9. My child is not progressing as fast as I had hoped.
  10. My child is unsure of a couple of letters – do I continue or do I do a review Playsession?
  11. My child wants to do more than one Playsession per session.

General Questions

1. Do I have to be a teacher or know about teaching to use THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL?
Absolutely not! THE NOGSTMOF NOTCH HILL was specifically designed to be used by parents with no knowledge of teaching. The Notch Hill Learning System guides you step by step through each Playsession. It requires no pre-planning  just find 15 to 20 minutes of free time, sit down with your child and the games, and be prepared to have some fun together.

2. My child has finished Grade 1 and is struggling to learn the letters of the alphabet. Could THE NOGS OF NOTCH HILL be useful for us?
The Notch Hill Learning System is based on co-founder Joan Thornton’s 30 years of experience teaching children who were struggling for various reasons. While the games and exercises in THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL work for children with no challenges they are very appropriate for children who are finding school a challenge. Our system is based on a “multisensory” approach to learning which experts have long hailed as the ideal approach for children who are struggling.

The Notch Hill Learning System is designed to go at the pace of the child, which is ideal for building confidence in children who have been left behind by the system.

The longer a child struggles in school, the harder it is to get them back on track and to rebuild their confidence. If you suspect that your child is beginning to struggle in school or at Kindergarten talk to their teacher. Whether you decide to use THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL or find a tutor, set your child up for success in life – don’t hesitate to ask for help early on.

3. I am a home school parent – would THE NOGSTMOF NOTCH HILL be appropriate for us?
Absolutely. In fact we may go so far as to say THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL would be ideal for you. It teaches the basics in reading and writing. It has been designed by experts with more than 30 years of teaching experience so you don’t have to spend hours figuring out the most appropriate way to introduce literacy to your child. And best of all, it’s FUN!

3. I am a teacher – can I use THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL with my class?
THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL is designed for use in a one-on-one situation, making it ideal for Special Educational Assistants who work with children one -on-one.

4. My child is learning English as a second language – would THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL be appropriate for us?
If your child can understand an average English language children’s storybook , they will absolutely be able to take advantage of THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL.

5. My child has a learning challenge – would THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL be appropriate for us?
The term “learning challenges” covers a broad spectrum of mild to severe challenges. The Notch Hill Learning System is based on co-founder Joan Thornton’s 30 years of experience teaching children who needed extra help learning basic literacy skills. While the games and exercises in THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL work for children with no challenges, they also are appropriate for children with specific learning challenges too. If your child is in the school system, THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL would likely be an excellent option for you.

Our system is based on a “multisensory” approach to learning which experts have long hailed as an ideal approach for children with challenges. The system is also designed so that the child progresses at their own pace – imperative for any child with a specific learning challenge.

“As a dyslexic kid, I loved playing the games. They are designed so that I competed against myself. As long as I tried hard, I could win and succeed – which was something I didn’t do a lot of in school.”
Nicola Lott – Co-Founder and Joan’s daughter.

6. What is “Multisensory Learning”?
“Multisensory learning” is a long word for a simple theory. If you learn something by experiencing it through several senses then you will find it easier to learn and easier to retain. An example of this could be learning the letter ‘d’
Sound – What does the letter ‘d’ sound like? Does it sound like a drum?
Look – What does it look like? Can you spot some ‘d’s in a sentence?
Feel- What does it feel like to draw ‘d’?
Move – Practice tracing the ‘d’ out in the air. Pretend to beat a ‘drum’ when you hear the letter ‘d’.

7. How do I know if my child is ready for THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL?
The general age range that we have found works best with THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL is 4 to 6 years of age. However, it is important to realise that every child develops differently. Some children will be ready to learn their alphabet and write around the time they turn three, while other children are developing quickly in other areas, but are not ready to learn their alphabet yet. If your child is 5 and only just starting to learn the alphabet and write don’t worry. They are still very young and more than likely, still ahead of 50% of their classmates.

To test to see if your child is ready for THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL:

  • Write ‘wgw’ large in thick pen on a piece of paper and ask your child to spot the difference between the letters.
  • If your child can’t see the difference, try again in 6 months.
  • If they can do this, give them a crayon and show them how to hold it properly.
  • If your child holds it properly they are ready for THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL.
  • If your child can’t hold it properly but holds it in their fist they may be ready to start THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL but will likely find the writing portion the most challenging area.
    • If their age is very young, wait a few more months before trying.
    • If they are older, start THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL. Their hand coordination will improve with practice.

8. I don’t have much time in my life – how can I fit THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL in?
THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL is designed for people like you who are extremely busy. The system only requires 15 to 20 minutes of your time once a day. Remember, this is good, wholesome, fun time with your child. If you’re tired at the end of a long day, it’s ok. Very little thinking is required of you. All you need to do is follow step by step instructions and remember to enjoy yourself.

The best way to fit THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL into a busy schedule is to schedule it in. Find a time of the day that runs on routine. Perhaps you always feed the kids at 6:00, bathe them at 7:00 and put them to bed at 7:30. An ideal time to play the games would be at 6:30. Schedule it in along with dinner, bath and bedtime. Once you get into a routine, it will be easier to play than to skip a day, and require no extra effort on your part.

9. How often do we need to play?
We recommend that you play 5 days a week. This enables you to take advantage of your week day schedule and schedule it into your routine. If you miss a session or two you won’t notice it. If you find that you are barely getting to THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL once a week put it away until your schedule becomes more regular again. The system is based on short bursts of learning with a lot of repetition. If you play extremely irregularly your child will struggle to remember letters they have learned. This can be frustrating for both the child and parent.

10. What on earth are NOGSTM?
NogsTM are your friends! They are the magical creatures that live in the far away land of Notch Hill. There are 26 NogsTM and animal friends that live in, on and around Notch Hill. They all want to meet you and your child!

11. My child can smell an educational game from a mile away, how do I introduce this system without hearing “Mommy, you aren’t my teacher”?
The key is to focus on fun. Engage yourself with the fun contained in the games, act silly, goof off a bit, join in with the funny arm movements, and animate your voice when reading the stories. Focus on having fun together and leave the learning to occur naturally. It may be that this is your child’s way of telling you that they are not ready for literacy yet. If your child isn’t enjoying themselves, don’t force the issue. Simply put the NogsTM of Notch Hill aside for 6 months and try again then.

12. Will you be bringing out a game to teach the upper-case letters of the alphabet?
YES! We’re working hard on it right now.

13. What does a typical Playsession look like?
5 minutes – games to review previous sessions
5 minutes – introduce the letter of the day, tell its story, learn to recognise and write the letter.
5+ minutes – re-enforce the learning through playing two games.

Below is a sample Playsession from the Parent’s book and Playsession guide.
(Click on the image to enlarge.)

14. What is your refund policy?
If you buy THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL and decide that you don’t like it, return it within 30 days of receipt and we will refund 100% of the cost.
NOTE: This does not include a refund on shipping.

Troubleshooting for Parents currently playing THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL

1. I have more than one child – it is difficult to get one on one time as the others want attention too.
The best way to deal with this is to make a deal with your children that each gets a one on one session with you. If they need supervision while you’re focusing on one child, sit them all down at the kitchen table, as far apart from each other as possible. Give the children that you are not focusing on a quiet activity to do like colouring or reading, while you focus on one child. If you are interrupted remind the interrupter that it is their quiet time now, and that you will be spending time with them at (for example) 6:45. (This is a good way to introduce time telling – just say ‘when the big hand gets to the 9′)

2. How do I sound the letters out correctly?
In THE NOGS OF NOTCH HILL we teach the sounds of the letters. There are instructions in the parent’s book. Watch the video below to hear the phonetic alphabet sounded out by www.helpingtogrow.com

3. My child doesn’t want to play THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL anymore.
Children like routine. The world is big and complicated and they are busy trying to make sense of it all, piece by piece. Routines help children by creating a structure that they know and understand. 

THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL works best when it becomes part of a child’s routine. Children go through a fairly predictable cycle when a new routine is introduced in their lives.

  1. Wow, here is a new and interesting experience.
  2. This experience isn’t new anymore, it is interfering with my routine. I don’t like things interfering with my routine, because my routine makes me feel safe and confident. I don’t want to do this.
  3. This is part of my routine, we have to do it, because we always do it. If you forget, I will remind you to do it.

If you have just begun THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL, or you played for a while and then took a break, your child is likely at stage 2 of the cycle. Gently persevere, focusing on the fun aspect of the games. Goof off more, act silly, enjoy yourself, and your child will have fun too.

Note: If your child is very young or continues to resist, it may be his or her way of telling you that they are not ready to learn literacy yet. It is normal for children to grow into literacy at different ages. If your child isn’t enjoying The NogsTM of Notch Hill, do not force the issue. Put it away for 6 months and try again at that time.

4. So what happens when I finish THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL?
We’re working hard to get the next GamePak published. Check the website regularly for updates. If you’ve been super speedy and beaten us to it, we hope that you continue spending 15 to 20 minutes a day playing with your child, reading stories, or finding some other creative way to focus on each other.

5. My child is not holding the dry marker properly.
Holding a dry marker requires fine motor skills that your child may not have developed yet. Show the child how to hold the dry marker, remind them every 2 or 3 Playsessions, but don’t worry if your child continues to hold the dry marker improperly, it will come with time. 

If your child is older and still not holding the dry marker properly. Try this: set up an easel and attach the writing games and excercises to it. The angle of the easle will force your child to hold the marker correctly.

6. My child is struggling or not interested in writing the letters.
Writing is the most advanced of the skills covered in the NogsTM of Notch Hill. The purpose of teaching letter formation at this early age is because it is a tactile tool to help your child remember the letters. At this point we are NOT interested in neat and tidy letters. If your child is struggling with this, remove the crayon from the practice and get them to draw with their finger only. Another trick is to put flour, sugar, or coffee grounds on a lid and practice drawing the letters with a finger in the powder.

7. My child doesn’t want to play one of the games.
It is tempting to skip the games that are less popular and play your child’s favourite games all the time. Each game focuses on a specific skill, often the games that a child “dislikes” are the games that involve skills that they need some more practice on. The key to playing these games is to involve your child’s imagination in a creative way. One Mom explained to her daughter that she needed to stroke the big letter in the Kids Book with her finger in order to wake up the character. She engaged her daughters imagination and her daughter loved it. Another trick can be to time the child, track how long it takes to complete the game so the child can see how much faster they are getting.

8.My child is struggling to remember any of the letters.
If your child is finding THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL very challenging and struggling to remember the letters – STOP! It is likely your child isn’t ready for this yet. It is normal for children to develop at different rates. Put the game away for 6 months and then try again.

9. My child is not progressing as fast as I had hoped.
THE NOGSTM OF NOTCH HILL  is designed to allow the child to progress at his or her own pace. That pace can appear slow to an adult. Think of this as a journey you are on together. If you are both enjoying yourselves, then it doesn’t matter when you reach your destination.

10. My child is unsure of a couple of letters – do I continue or do I do a review Playsession?
This learning system has a lot of letter review time built into each Playsession. It is normal for a child to find some letters harder than others to remember. If one letter is a sticking point for your child, incorporate it into the Play With Letters games at the beginning of the next Playsession. If your child is in Group 2 or more and has reached a point where they can’t remember 4 or more letters, do the General Review Playsession. If your child is working on Group 1, complete Group 1 before playing the General Review Playsession.

11. My child wants to do more than one Playsession per session.
Playsessions can be an exciting time for a child as they have your undivided attention and are having fun with you. We don’t recommend completing more than one Playsession per day because your child won’t remember the letters as well if they are overloaded. You may need to unwind from the Playsession slowly, to distract your child from continuing through the books. Examples of this could be colouring a picture in the Kids Book, or if you have more time you could let your child choose a book for you to read together.