Happy Easter

Easter bunny box
Since it is the last post for the month and it is Easter on Friday, I thought I would feature a craft. I found this lovely craft that involves making a bunny using a toilet roll but I decided to do just a simple paper craft. All you need is:

For Friday :)

• Pair of scissors
• Bright coloured pencils
• Glue
• Lots of patience

WHAT TO DO:
1. Please see the print out under the Fine Motor Development tab
2. Have your little one colour in the template first
3. Carefully cut it out and assemble with glue, lots of patience here
4. Have your little one keep their chocolate eggs inside

Happy Crafting! :)

Easter break time

Holiday break
As the end of the first term comes to an end, it is time for a small holiday... As a result, the blog will be going on a small break from 29 March to 10 April. The last blog post will be on the Wednesday 28th March. But when I return there will be lots of new and exciting blog posts:

• Fun Autumn recipes to make with your little one
• New Maths games
• Fun with Phonics ideas
• New Autumn craft ideas
• All of this and more!

Thank you to all those who continue to support the blog, I really appreciate it.

Have a wonderful Easter break with your little one and I will be back to blogging on the 17th April :)

Don't stop learning this holiday! :)

Kind regards

Krysten

What colour is this?

Afrikaans Colours
On the blog today, two wonderful page print outs that teaches the basic colours in Afrikaans. Click under the Elke Dag Afrikaans tab: https://countingstarstutoringsupport.blogspot.co.za/p/elke-dag-afrikaans.html. The pages are great for your student files and it can be printed as a poster for your classroom. The best way to teach the colours in Afrikaans is to apply it to real life. Use the colours to show association with that colours. E.g. Draw a red apple and under it write ROOI or Rooi. When little ones associate colours with objects, then it is easier to understand.

Gelukkige leer! :)

Making time

Happy Homework
As many of you know I have developed my Learner Development Support Program. I also do Tutoring, Homework Help, Fine Motor Development, completed a Reader and Scribe course and Facilitating. But the reason behind this post is to discuss my Homework Policy that I have. Homework is given but it is Happy Homework. Happy Homework takes 5 minutes long and just enforces what was taught. It can be anything from reading Sight words to practicing 3 set of times tables. I still feel kids should get homework but not to a point that it takes longer than 20 minutes. Yes, it is important to learn but projects and solid learning needs to be done at school.





Happy Homework:

Words and Writing:
☆ A list of 10 Sight words is given, these Sight words are also placed onto Flashcards
☆ A list of 8 Spelling words is given focusing on a specific sound, these Spelling words are also given on a flashcard and a practice page for the Spelling words is given
☆ One page is given to practice writing, once each letter is mastered in writing, then fun sentences/poems is given to help with practice

Maths:
☆ It depends on the age but different things are given for homework
☆ Children ages 4 - 6 get fun counting cards and children ages 7 - 9 getting taught in a way that works for them. Parents need to please give me a clear outline of what is being taught
☆ Important Maths skills are focused on during the Learner Development Support Program


Please remember when completing Happy Homework:
☆ Complete all the homework given, this homework helps your child
☆ Parents will be informed of what is for homework so responsibility is given to the parents
☆ Encourage your child to learn during the Happy Homework sessions, don't give out the answers
☆ When learning Sight words and Spelling words, use the words in a sentence to help with learning

Happy learning! :)

Understanding Phonics

Learning Phonics
Under the Phonics Development page, I discuss the 5 steps to use when understanding Phonics. The 5 steps are important as it assists with learning Phonics. Phonics is important because it assists your little one towards the first steps to reading and writing. It may not seem important now to learn the weekly words but it will be beneficial.

Follow my 5 steps when helping your little one with Phonics homework and your little one will be on their way to becoming great readers and spellers.

Happy learning! :)

Pencil this and pencil that

Pipe cleaner Pencil Worms
It is Friday so that means it is Arts and Crafts time. It has been a while since I have featured an Arts and Crafts post. Arts and Crafts is a great way to start the weekend and it is a good way to work the Fine Motor Development Skills for your little one. Click on that tab to find out how to make a Pipe cleaner Pencil Worm. But why are pencils important for Fine Motor Development? Pencils help us write therefore it assists with this development. Pencils take on a whole new look with this fun craft.

Happy crafting!

Can I have one?

Pro-Pets
I went to high school with a girl who said she never had a family pet growing up. I found it rather weird. I was 18 at the time and grow up with two pets. I asked her why and she said her mom just never wanted one. I think pets are great to have as they do form part of the family. Right now, I am don't own a pet but was lucky to have my cat in my life for 15 years before she passed away last year. Yes, I do miss her but one day I will get a cat but for now, I am okay without one.


Having a pet in the family can be so great for your little one. I am more of a cat person but I think your little one's first pet should be a dog. Remember, you must have space and energy to have a dog. Puppies can be great but they aren't small forever. Below are reasons why getting your little one a dog is a good idea

1. Exercise:
Yes, the most obvious one. Regular exercise will be great for the two of them. There is something so great about walks in the park on a Saturday morning, your little one on their bike and the dog being happily walked. Walking the dog every day if you can. If your dog is getting fat then you're doing something wrong. Nothing personal, just a quote I read somewhere (or something to that effect).

2. Love:
We never forget our first dog/pet. The bond we feel for the animal becomes incredble. If your little one is an only child, then a bond is created that is similar to the bond with siblings.

3. Responsibility
Remind your little one about the responsibility that comes with owning a dog. Yes, cuddles are important but picking up poop, regular walks and feeding are all about the responsibilities of owning a dog.

4. Happiness
There is nothing quite like coming home to a loving dog after your little one has had a difficult day. A person can never be sad around a dog


Contact your local dog shelter (please not the SPCA) to find the perfect dog for your family.
ADOPT DON'T SHOP!