Social skills

Joining a Sports Club
Children from a young age should learn how to socialize correctly. Awkward children become awkward adults. Socialising with other children can come easy for some but not always. Social skills are an important part of growing up. Yes, parents want to protect their children from the world but are they really doing them a favour when they child eventually grows up? The best way to get your child socializing is to join a Sports Club if a sport is not offered at the school: Below are my top 10 important reasons why your child should join a Sports Club:

1. Exercise
2. Make new friends
3. Discover a new talent
4. All about improving ability, coordination and balance
5. Focuses their energy on something after a bad day at school
6.  Release of happy endorphins
7. Keep up a good level of fitness
8.  Greats a sense of belonging
9. Learn how to become a team player
10. A sense of achievement and accomplishment in winning awards, certificates and trophies

Check the local listening near you to find a Sports Club. If your child isn't sporty then perhaps Scouts or an Art club? Find what is best for your child and don't let them quit when it gets tough. There is a lot we can learn about ourselves when joining a Club.

Technology can be an advantage

Best Reading Apps and Programs
There is a time and place for technology when it comes to learning. The problem comes in when your little one spends too much time in front of the Ipad or computer. A time limit should be established. Yes, technology has many pluses when it comes to learning but life without technology is great. The way a child learns to hold a pencil or when they begin to read their first book. But on the blog today I have researched and put together a list of best Reading Apps and Programs out there:

Best Reading Apps and Programs for kids

1. FIRST WORDS SAMPLER
This is for Grade 1's who are learning to read. It focuses on letters and pronunciation. The App has also the wonderful animation that your little one will love. The App is available in Spanish, Japanese, French, and German so if your little one wants to learn a new language, then this is a great App.
PRICE: Free from the App Store

2. MEEGENIUS CHILDREN'S BOOK
A mini library with lots enchanting children's stories to choose from. Great for your little one who loves to read
PRICE: Free from the App Store


3. XANDER AFRIKAANS SPEL:
This App is really great for little ones who are starting to learn Afrikaans. It helps with pronunciation, spelling words and lots of Afrikaans related activities. Who knew Afrikaans could be this fun?
PRICE: Unsure at the time of going to print

4. YOUTUBE KIDS
Youtube is a wonderful tool to use. Whether it's listening to music or watching different documentaries but to save all that time and keep things strictly kids-oriented, download Youtube Kids.
PRICE: Free from the App store

Happy Learning! :)

Put the two letters together

Sound blends
Every letter must be mastered before moving onto Sound Blends for Beginner Readers. On the blog post today under Phonics Development tab (https://countingstarstutoringsupport.blogspot.co.za/p/phonics-development.html) I chat about the how I teach Sound Blends that is important for any Beginner reader. Each Sound Blend is grouped together and taught accordingly.

Happy learning!

Apple tree counting

Creative Counting
I am constantly looking for new ways to introduce and help teach little ones to count. On the Numeracy Development tab, I illustrate a different and exciting way to introduce counting. All it involves is some simple drawing so why not try it today with your little one at home or for a new student learning to count?

Happy learning!

Off the shelf

Reading out loud is important
On the blog today, why reading is very important for your child. Click on the Phonics Development tab to read all about it: https://countingstarstutoringsupport.blogspot.co.za/p/phonics-development.html. At Counting Stars, I want children to become lifelong readers. Children can start love reading if we put important steps in place.

Happy reading!

Pictures can give ideas

Creative Writing Cards
The next step in the writing process is ideas. This is a simple concept yet it is something that little ones do tend to stumble on. Yes, we can write up a few sentence to get the story started (that is the post for another day) or you could use picture cards. The cards are then placed into four different coloured cardboard sheets. The four colours each represent the four elements of a story. If you are unsure how to get started, click on the following link to find out more information: https://countingstarstutoringsupport.blogspot.co.za/p/creative-writing-development.html




Once the cards have been printed, perhaps get each card laminated and place into four separate envelopes accordingly. The blog post under the Creative Writing tab explains how the cards will working.

Happy Writing! :)

Something sweet that's a real treat

Valentine's Day Cupcakes
Since it is Valentine's Day, I thought it is a good excuse to get into the kitchen and bake! On the blog today, I have found the perfect Valentine's Day cupcakes you can make with your little one. Valentine's Day is all about love but it can be the kind of love that we share with our friends. Perhaps you have a best friend who is always there for you or one that is always there to make you laugh. It is time to get out that mixing bowl and turn on that oven:





WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
500g Self raising flour
375g White sugar
125g Butter
2 eggs
250ml Buttermilk
15ml White vinegar
83g Cocoa powder
5ml Vanilla essence
2.5g Salt
5.5g Baking powder
5ml Red food colouring


WHAT TO DO:

1. Preheat the oven to 180.c and place greased cupcake liners in a greased muffin pan.

2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla essence and food colouring. Slowly add the flour, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt until blended. Spoon the batter evenly into the greased cupcake  liners



3. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until soft on top. Once cooled, add icing and decorate with heart-shaped decorations

BASIC ICING FOR CUPCAKES

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
500g Powdered sugar
30g Butter, softened
5ml Vanilla essence
30ml Milk

WHAT TO DO:
1. Combine all the ingredients in a mixer and mix until smooth


Happy baking!

Reading the first steps

Reading and Writing process
At Counting Stars, I offer a Writing and Reading package as part of the Learner Development Support Program. I start off with first the basic sounds (vowel sounds) and then move onto the other ones. I make note of the words that the student is battling to read. I will email home (after the next session) a list of words that will need to go over again. These words are the words that the student is battling to read. I then will make a set of flash cards of the words that will assist with learning process to help understand the words. Once the student can comfortably read the book and know all the words, then we will move onto the next book. It doesn't matter how long the student takes to read the book comfortably, it will be done and will be done at a pace that they are comfortable with. I also send home a list of daily sight words that must also be read over at home. Reading Sight words helps with reading but more on Sight words at a later post. The homework I give assists the student and parents involved. It will never be a lot. Writing homework is also given but is also not a lot. I feel that reading and writing go hand in hand. As soon as a child can read, they will know and understand what they are writing. I don't strive for perfection with writing but I do strive for excellence.

Can recognize it but can't spell it

Sight words
Sight words are critical to reading, not only because they are used frequently, but because many of them cannot be easily sounded out or be illustrated. When children are able to grasp and identify sight words, they are well on their way to becoming thriving readers.

At Counting Stars Tutoring, I focus on also learning sight words when learning to read. This is part of the Learner Development Support Program. A list is sent home as well as the words are given on a set of flashcards.

Happy reading!

Now let's count

Fun Counting Games
Click on the Numeracy Development tab for today's post. It is all about fun counting games. By now your little one should be able to count past 10. Have a look and see what fun games you can now introduce.

Happy learning!

Learning on their terms

Left Brain vs. Right Brain
I have been teaching kids now for 3 years but have been working with kids for about 7 years now. Kids that are from ages 2 - 10. I have learned so much but when it comes to the teaching side, I have learned that each kid understands differently so why not teach them differently? No kid is the same so the way we teach them shouldn't be the same. Kids should not just be taught one way to do something but lots of different ways. It is up to them to decide then what way to choose. If the child understands the concept, is happy while learning but most importantly confident while doing the work then why not let it be?


Learning style: Left Brain
This is the logic side. I adapt this learning style where children make sense of understanding in a logical way by explaining sums and words in a logical manner. E.g. For words, we sound out and say each word and then put it all together. Sums are explained using logical sentences or blocks. E.g. If I have 5 fingers and put 4 more fingers together, then I have 9 altogether. This is a simple sum but more detail will be given for logical sentences. Children with this learning style require a reason behind answers.

Learning style: Right Brain

This is the creative side. I adapt this learning style where children make sense of understanding in a creative and colourful way. Right-brained students are fun to teach as I use lots of pictures, colours, and tactile learning. Children with this learning style need to visually understand more than they need to know the logical reason behind an answer.

At Counting Stars, I offer different Learning Packages off my Learner Development Support Program. I also offer Tutoring and Homework Help. Please see the article to find out more information: https://countingstarstutoringsupport.blogspot.co.za/2017/11/what-do-you-require.html

Every day item

Toilet paper roll Monsters

Toilet paper rolls can be used for a number of different craft crafts. For this specific art project, you will need regular toilet rolls. We always use toilet rolls so next time you are thinking of throwing it away, think again. Click on the Fine Motor Development tab now to make this fun project to do this weekend with your little one: https://countingstarstutoringsupport.blogspot.co.za/p/fine-motor-development.html

Happy Crafting! :)