“Nicola, you have to try really hard to focus” my Mum would tell me at home when she was looking at my school book. I tried.

Atrocious spelling became a reoccurring theme for me. I had a simpler solution to the mysteries of punctuation. I avoided it entirely. No matter how many times it was explained to me, it seemed to be an impenetrable code that was just far more effort than it was worth. I didn’t use a single capital letter or period until I was about 10 years old.

I developed a similar technique with math, which, was also completely impossible. Instead of spending hours agonising over a page of addition or subtraction, I simply filled the answer boxes with whatever numbers came to mind. Simple, painless and my teacher could see that I had completed the page so I was allowed to go on to an activity far more enjoyable.

This was a short lived solution, unfortunately, because getting 0% correct day after day was a red flag for both my teacher and mother and so math homework became a reoccurring theme in my life also.

My Mother was a Special Education tutor. Through the eyes of a child this was a problem. I was quite happy to sit at the back of the classroom and quietly fail. It was much easier and once you let go of the whole “enjoyment of getting things right” mentality, school was quite palatable.

My Mother on the other hand wasn’t happy with this situation and started teaching me at home. She taught me through games so I would forget that I was doing something I hated and found hard and just enjoy the fun of the game.

Slowly over many years my long suffering Mom won the battle. In doing so she taught me much about fighting for what I want and work ethic. Today, I have a university degree, a good career and if you met me, you wouldn’t know that I have both Dyslexia and Dyscalculia.

My brain is wired slightly differently to yours, this gives me tremendous benefits. I wouldn’t change my learning disabilities and years of hard work for a more traditional life.

On March 8^th, 2012 I will be sharing my experiences and providing a resource workshop for parents who are starting to wonder if their children are on track in school. Join the conversation yourself at Hillcrest Community Centre 7 – 8:30 “Wondering about skool?”

Anon

Check it out CLICK HERE

My hands were busy through the day.
I didn’t have much time to play
the little games you asked me to.
I didn’t have much time for you.

I’d wash your clothes;
I’d sew and cook,
But when you’d bring me your picture book
and ask me to share your fun,
I’d say, “Later, we’ll have time for fun.”

I’d tuck you in all safe at night
and hear your prayers, turn out the light,
Then I’d tiptoe softly to the door…
I wish I’d stayed a minute more.

For life is short, the years rush past…
A little child grows up so fast.
No longer is your child at your side,
No more precious secrets to confide;
The picture books are put away.

There are no longer games to play,
No good night kiss, no prayers to hear…
That all belongs to yesteryear.

My hands, once busy, now are still.
The days are long and hard to fill.
I wish I could go back and do
the little things you asked me to.

Anon

Cost $10

Location: Kits Neighbourhood House – Sun Room

Time: 7-8pm

To register email nlott@notchhilllearning.com

Thursday, Jan. 27, is family literacy day in Canada. According to ABC Life Literacy Canada, this year’s focus is on learning through play.

There are two reasons that play is such a powerful learning tool. Children are meant to learn through play. Think about all the important life lessons that your children have learned through play. In addition, play is a great way to take the pressure off and make something dry (or boring) entertaining, if you don’t believe me – put on some great tunes and dance your way through doing the dishes tonight, we suspect you’ll notice quite a difference.

Here are 10 really simple and fun reading and writing games to play at home with your children:

1. For children who are learning the alphabet, making letters out of play dough is a fun and tactile way to experience the alphabet.
2. In the car, simple games like “I-Spy” are great for practicing letter sounds and entertaining young minds while you are navigating rush hour.
3. Create a family play night. Have your children write a short play, give everyone a part, have fun dressing up and put on a performance in your own home.
4. Setting up a treasure hunt is a game that you can adjust to work with almost any age. Set it up yourself to practice reading or have your child set it up for you to have them practice writing the clues. At the simplest level, use one word like “oven” on the clues.
5. Children love to put on a performance, so next time, have them create an entire show to present to you. Writing out programs and creating tickets are just some of the sneaky ways that writing works itself into this idea.
6. When reading stories to young pre-readers, have them guess what they think will happen next before turning the page. This simple game engages children in the story and helps build their imagination and curiosity, which are vital in building the desire to learn to read in children.
7. Involve your child in the weekly grocery shop. Make a list for you and give your child items for him to write on his list too. When you are at the store let him be in charge of finding the items on his list.
8. Another fun letter game to entertain children in the car is to make funny phrases out of the letters on car license plates that you pass. For example “ALA 168” could be “Angry Little Aardvarks.”
9. A really fun writing activity (which can also tie into the next activity) is to have your children run a restaurant for the night or for lunch. They are the servers and they set and write the menus. They can help prepare the food and even provide entertainment. This is a really great rainy day activity.
10. Without a doubt, our favourite reading activity is cooking. Find simple recipes for early readers to follow. Casseroles with lots of ingredients are great for more advanced readers. Cooking also sneaks in some math skills and at the end of the day you have a child who can cook for you! For young ones, putting raisins on gingerbread men help with fine motor movement and finger dexterity.

Nicola will be presenting a series of four, one hour workshops starting February 4th, 7-8pm entitled “Setting Children Up For Success”.

WORKSHOP TOPICS:

1. Supporting Your Young Learner —February 3rd In this fun and interactive seminar you look at how to make your home a learning centre, and how the techniques you will use are different to those used at school.
2. Choosing A Great Toy For Your Child—February 10th Come along to this play filled workshop where you will learn what your children need in order to assist in their development and discover some budget saving tech-niques to help you prepare for their next birthday.
3. Prepare Your Preschooler for Kinder-garten—February 17th In this seminar you will cover simple things that you can do in the home to ensure that your preschooler is ready to thrive in kindergarten.
4. Starting Your Child in Reading and Writing—February 24th In this workshop you will cover the practical tools that you need in order to make learning to read and write a fun, positive experience for your child.

Workshops are $10 each or all four for $30. All proceeds go towards Kitsilano Neighbourhood House.

For more information click here.

To register, please contact: Sandra at 604-736-3588 x-25 or sandra@kitshouse.org