Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Tuition in Edinburgh
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The level of education our children receive at primary school is normally first class, yet there are always tricks and tips that will help enhance a child’s learning ability and gain a better understanding of any given topic at school.
To supplement school education there are many private tutors and education centres offering complementary study programmes, plus there are various ways parents can encourage children to fine-tune their knowledge through several surprisingly easy ways.
We’ve looked at some of the ways parents can offer guidance here…
Encourage Diary Writing
The Literacy Trust’s report, Children and Young People’s Diary Writing in 2015, found that diary writing has a positive impact on children’s attainment, as well as boosting their motivation to write.
The report showed that pupils who keep a diary are almost twice as likely to write above the expected level for their age compared with children who do not say they keep a diary (27.1% vs 15.5%). What’s more, writing a diary allows children to choose what they want to write about, and 82% of girls and 76% of boys say if they can choose the subject, writing is more fun.
Whilst the research also highlighted a drop in the number of children writing in a diary over the past five years, almost half of children are still writing something in private in their free time. So why not think about the gift of a diary to encourage your children to get writing. Read more at www.literacytrust.org.uk
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Libraries are free to join and offer many free services; loaning out books, talking books, CDs, DVDs and many computer services. Many local libraries are especially child friendly, organising regular story times and activities for youngsters during the school holidays and at weekends.
Words for Life
The Words for Life website - www.wordsforlife.org.uk – provides advice and tips to parents who want to support their children with literacy. There are age-related downloadable resources designed to capture a child's imagination and help them enjoy words and language.
Making Maths Add Up
A recent report, ‘The Parent Factor’, published by National Numeracy and the Mayor’s Fund for London, showed that 88% of children said their maths confidence improved when their parents were more involved in their learning. It was found that increased parental engagement leads to significant improvement in children’s concentration levels during maths lessons and better than expected assessment results.
Outside of the classroom there is a useful National Numeracy Family Maths Toolkit, full of ideas and free activities, that has been designed to help families enjoy maths together. Take a look at www.familymathstoolkit.org.uk
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Top maths tips:
- Be positive about maths. Don't say things like "I can’t do maths" or "I hated maths at school"; your child might start to think like that themselves.
- Point out the maths in everyday life. Include your child in activities involving maths such as using money, cooking and travelling.
- Praise your child for effort rather than talent - this shows them that by working hard they can always improve.
Read more at www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk
Addressing Dyslexia and Dyscalculia
If a child, who appears to be very intelligent, is struggling at school, it may be worth checking to see if there is an undiagnosed learning difficulty such as Dyslexia or Dyscalculia.
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty which mainly affects language and literacy related skills, whilst Dyscalculia affects numeracy. Many children who have a learning difficulty find school work hard when their literacy and memory skills render them unable to tackle tasks they have been set.
Many specialist tutors tailor one-to-one sessions around particular needs, making allowances for the fact that dyslexic children are often exhausted after a day at school. To find out more visit: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
Maths Help
Looking for an experienced local maths tutor? Maths Help provides friendly one-to-one maths coaching for all ages of Primary and Secondary School. Tutoring can build confidence and improve results. Whether a child is coping well in maths and would like to be stretched further, or if some extra help with specific areas of their maths is needed, Maths Help is happy to help.
To arrange your free initial consultation visit: www.edmathshelp.com or call 07733 366768.
Overcome learning difficulties with Raviv and Fast ForWord
Raviv’s one-to-one physical exercise programme can improve reading, numeracy, handwriting, memory, balance, coordination, auditory processing, focus, concentration, attention and ADHD/ADD. Raviv combines the above as required to prepare a programme unique to your child’s needs to help overcome learning difficulties.
Fast ForWord’s online programme helps improve memory; attention and processing speed then systematically develops reading, language and comprehension skills. Benefits? Better exam results & life-changing opportunities. For more information call: 07711 623 605 or visit: www.learningdifficulties-raviv.co.uk
Lamp House Music - Music Lessons
Set in a modernised railway building – Lamp House Music School in East Lothian offers fantastic music lessons for all the family, 7 days a week. Children and adults can learn a wide variety of instruments, including guitar, vocals, drums, ukulele, piano, woodwind, strings and brass in group or one to one lessons.
Tutors are professional musicians who are qualified, experienced and incredibly enthusiastic - ensuring that pupils’ learning experience is an enjoyable one. For more information or to book a first lesson visit: www.lamphousemusic.co.uk or call 01620 825630.
Portobello Music School
Now in its 11th year, Portobello Music School provides comprehensive music education to over 350 students aged birth to teens from across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Weekday Baby and Toddler Music Classes in Musselburgh and Portobello are available with students graduating to the Saturday Music School in Portobello at age 3.
Children aged preschool to primary 2 attend a series of progressive creative music classes to prepare for group instrumental lessons starting in primary 3. A wide range of instruments are taught by an enthusiastic team of highly experienced music teachers.
As well as receiving instrumental tuition, which includes annual ABRSM Music Medal Examinations, children also attend weekly Kodály-based musicianship classes which develop essential aural skills and music theory. For further information and/or to enrol, call 0131 623 2513 or visit: www.portobellomusicschool.com