Do you know a child who is learning English as their second or even third language?
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Do you know a child who is learning English as their second or even third language?
Do you know a child who is learning English as their second or even third language?
https://homeschooleducationalconsultanttutor.services/2021/10/14/do-you-know-a-child-who-is-learning-english-as-their-second-or-even-third-language/
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Do you know a child who is learning English as their second or even third language?
Learning a new language is exciting and literally opens the door to a new world of possibilities. While there is no substitute for human interaction when learning a language there are lots of apps available to help create stories, translate or just work on idioms for home and/or classroom use.
Looking for language learning apps?
Here are some of my favorites for kids learning both social and academic English. Many are great for learning multiple languages as well as learning academic content in English.
September is Latino history month and it’s a great time to stock up on the best of Latino authors, illustrators and children’s stories to read throughout the year.
Representation matters! There are so many beautifully illustrated and written children’s books featuring Latinx characters, stories and authors. My only dilemma is overspending on books.
Mighty Girl has a great list of recommendations which you can find here: https://www.amightygirl.com/blog/?p=13062
Hip Latina provides their top 20 books for young children as well as must have suggestions for filling your book shelves. You can find their suggestions here: https://hiplatina.com/20-latinx-childrens-books-that-should-be-on-your-shelf/
Looking for books about Latinx/Latin American history and/or social justice? Social Justice’s site provides information, reviews and links to purchase books from independent and unionized book sellers. You can find their recommendations here: https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/latinx/
Dyslexia/aixelsyD
Dyslexia/aixelsyD
Are you concerned about your child’s reading ability?
Is your child struggling with decoding basic words?
Difficulty with rhyming?
Struggling with spelling?
A resistant reader?
When you think of dyslexia do you think letter reversals and reading backwards?
Dyslexia is NOT a visual disorder.
Dyslexics see the same as non dyslexics. The difficulty lies in the processing of phonological sounds. Dyslexia is a speech and language disorder rooted in natural neurobiological variation. It is not a sign of more or less intelligence. It has nothing to do with intelligence.
Every child wants to learn to read. It is a major milestone that affects every aspect of a person’s life. Yet for up to every one in five children it is a struggle to learn to read.
Why can some kids just pick up reading with seemingly little to no effort while others struggle day in and day out?
Reading is a man made invention for the human brain. Our brains have natural neurobiological variations. Reading is not a natural human act. Therefore, not everyone’s brain processes textual information the same way. The human brain is divided into two hemispheres and decoding occurs on the left side of the brain for those without dyslexia. Brain scans have found that for those with dyslexia, reading is happening in the right hemisphere. With reading and speech interventions the dyslexic brain can be rewired to utilize the left side of the brain. Children can learn the magic of rewiring their brains to break down words phonologically to decode with fluency and learn the rules of spelling.
What are the early signs of dyslexia?
The signs of dyslexia may be apparent by age 4 or 5. Here are some of the signs:
Difficulty with rhyming. Nursery rhymes and producing rhyming patterns such as: at, cat, fat, mat
Difficulty pronouncing familiar words, multisyllabic words and may drop the middle or endings of words.
Family history of dyslexia or other learning disabilities
K/1st (6/7) Signs in early elementary grades:
Inability or difficulty with rhyming, does not recognize word families, has little to no knowledge of sound/letter correspondence
Difficulty with spelling and deconstructing words
Older children with untreated dyslexia most often avoid reading or complain about it being too hard or too boring in addition to the previously mentioned signs.
Difficulty distinguishing between left and right. Often ambidextrous.
What can you do if you suspect a reading disability?
Begin with a vision and hearing checkup. An audiologist may find other similar presenting issues such as auditory processing disorder as well.
If your child is 8 or older and has had a year or more of reading instruction and not reading fluently then there is often an underlying cause. You can write a letter requesting your child be evaluated for a learning disability at your child’s school. Other options are getting an evaluation done by an educational psychologist, neurologist or speech and language pathologist.
What works for dyslexia?
Children with dyslexia need to be taught discreet language skills using a multi sensory approach. Programs like Great Leaps, Wilson and Orton Gillingham are proven to work and utilize multiple senses when learning. You may find these programs virtually, in public schools, a speech and language pathologist or with a trained specialist. You may also learn to use and implement the program yourself.
You can learn more about Orton Gillingham here: https://www.ortonacademy.org/resources/what-is-the-orton-gillingham-approach/
I was a teacher in the school closest to the towers on 9/11. Here is what I learned from that tragedy that helps me as an educator and as a parent …
I was a teacher in the school closest to the towers on 9/11. Here is what I learned from that tragedy that helps me as an educator and as a parent …
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I was a teacher in the school closest to the towers on 9/11. Here is what I learned from that tragedy that helps me as an educator and as a parent …
I was a teacher in the school closest to the towers on 9/11. Here is what I learned from that tragedy that helps me as an educator and as a parent …
https://homeschooleducationalconsultanttutor.services/2020/08/24/i-was-a-teacher-in-the-school-closest-to-the-towers-on-9-11-here-is-what-i-learned-from-that-tragedy-that-helps-me-as-an-educator-and-as-a-parent/
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How do I help my young kid not to be math phobic like me?
Math phobic?
Don’t be. It’s a learned behavior.
Learning to plan and execute sewing dresses with mathematical thinking. 
Math resistant?
I hear you. I was once the same way.
I had once believed I wasn’t a “math person.” That belief started early and was reinforced by an educational system that reinforced this belief. Then I went to China. I saw kids that embraced math young because the mindset is math is for everyone. Math is supposed to sometimes be difficult and struggling over an equation is part of its beauty. I needed to change my mindset. So I did. From that point on, I created a environment in both my classroom and my home that fostered and encouraged early math and math fluency.
There’s a good chance you already have the beginnings of a math ready home.
Lego’s everywhere?
Dinosaurs and dolls of every size?
Fill your house and engage your kids with math with board games, card games (games like war for teaching greater than/less than), cooking for learning time and fractions, puzzles and sewing. Games that require looking at patterns and making predictions are math brain builders.
Exposure and regular play with legos and building blocks during the toddler/preschool years develops spatial skills and visual literacy that is the foundation for algebra and higher level math. You’re already fluent in the language of space. Use words and have discussions about where something is using prepositions and other mathematical language such as: the tree is next to the house; The book is under the table; this piece has four sides and four corners.
Teach your children to recognize and create patterns. Start out with two and three step patterns. You can begin with physical games like clap, stomp, clap, stomp…what comes next and add a third then fourth step. Use art to teach geometry.
If you have the prerequisite of LEGO’s and toys on the floor then you’re ready.
Activities and discussion points:
Compare animal sizes-put them in order from tallest to smallest and other variations. Count animals and dolls. Learn to count on. Have three dolls to the size add more counting on…make up word problems: I have five dinosaurs and gave you two. How many am I left with?
How do you like to engage your young child in math?
The First Step: A Blog for Kids & Created by Kids
The First Step: A Blog for Kids & Created by Kids
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Willow Tree Educational Services 