What can we do to help children succeed?

Fostering a love of learning

Dr Rose GriffithsUniversity of Leicester

Home and School

Home and school are faced by child’s past experiences:

• Loss and bereavement• Recovering from trauma• Attachment disorders• Fear of change• Low expectations

all leading to under-achievement

Ability vv Attainment

Ability is not fixed

Ability vv Attainment

Ability is not fixed

You can get smarter!

We are working with wiggly wool

Foster parents’ major role is to show interest

andpersistence

Common problems confronting children in school:

• Poor readers or writers• Badly taught in the past• Frequent absence from school• Poor concentration/memory• Lack of confidence• Physical/perceptual difficulties• Behavioural ‘problems’

4 areas of action:

• Health and relaxation• Language and literacy• Maths at home• Social and cultural activity: hobbies

Health and relaxation

• Food• Sleep• Teeth, eyes, ears, hair, vaccinations• Feeling noticed and valued

Language and Literacy

• Talking and listening• Stories and non-fiction (out loud, reading alone, reading with others, listening to a CD)

• Use libraries, bookshops and supermarkets, Letterbox Club, internet…

• Vocabulary: learn new words!• Handwriting and keyboard skills

Maths at home

• Counting• Money• Telling the time• Measuring• Games

Homework

Not always our favourite thing!Do your best to help, but don’t do it for them.Focus on understanding not learning off by heart.

Encourage independence

• Some children learn dependence.Need to give children control and responsibility.

Encourage independence…

Children who are badly organised need more practice at getting organised!

Social and cultural activity

This includes:

films, TV, sport, newspapers, music, making things, outdoor activity,

museums and other places to visit, shopping,

visiting friends and family

My children’s top ten favourite ‘hobbies’ for all ages:

• Swimming• Table tennis• Keeping me company• Playdough or blu-tack• Cooking

… Favourite activities…

• Music (noise): trumpet, keyboard, guitar, harmonica, ukelele, whistling…

• Water play: washing socks, baths, spray bottles, washing cars

• Pets: guinea pigs and cats• Hairdressers and hand massage• Drawing

Be a good example

• Have hobbies of your own• Take time to relax• Learn something new• Read at home• Talk about how things work and how to solve

problems