Littlemummy.com

I was invited recently to a roundtable discussion on technology in education, unfortunately I was unable to attend however they sent me this video and I’m pretty blown away with some of the content. If this is the future then I’m pretty glad that Erin is the age she is now. Well worth a look for any parents interested in education.

Erin’s in preschool but before long I’ll be signing her life her education over to the professionals, up until now I’ve been her teacher. We’ve spent nearly four years together, I’ve taught her to walk, talk, make pasties and play noughts & crosses, all life skills I’m sure you’ll agree. So now that she’s due to start school next year I’m beginning to wonder where my ‘teaching’ role begins and ends.
Is it time I let go? Allow the professionals to get on and do their job, after …

“Anger over sheep slaughter” the BBC reports. Some parents are up in arms over the slaughter of a sheep that was raised by school children on a farm.
One mother says that she feels it’s wrong to kill the animal and it’s the equivalent of boiling up the family pet for dinner.
Here’s a short clip of the headteacher speaking out on the issue.
A discussion has been taking place on facebook, many parents believing that the headteacher is admirable and that there’s nothing wrong with teaching the children where their food …

Erin finally started nursery on Monday, she was due to start in April but the class was full so she was more than ready. On their first day they only stay for an hour which was a big dissappointment to her, it was difficult to drag her away, it was a beautiful day and she was happily playing in the garden. The teacher said she’d had a great time and that it was as if she’d been there for years! I couldn’t help but feel proud, it’s …

Only two days to go and Erin begins nursery. I’m trying not to sound too relieved, but I am. It’s been a long three years and we’ve had lots of fun and I’m glad that I did it (stayed at home)etc etc but I’m looking forward to a bit of freedom, the intensity of the school holidays has definitely worn me down a bit and I’m looking forward to the reprieve of having to provide endless activities and entertainment.
Her teachers came to visit this week introducing themselves and …

The Daily Mail had a piece on the future changes to the national curriculum last week. The article was from the angle of children as young as eleven being taught about gay relationships.
Here is the new proposed curriculum;
Age 4 – 7
Physical changes to body
Personal hygiene

Understanding the different types of relationship they have

Healthy eating and physical exercise
How substances can help or harm the body

Controlling strong emotions and feelings

The different types of work people do

Ways to contribute to enterprise
Age 9 – 11
Human reproduction
Function of reproductive organs
Medicine, alcohol, tobacco and other …

Ben at Instigator Blog has a very interesting post entitled 10 Things They Need To Teach in Highschool.
I’m in agreement with most of the list, here’s what I would add.
Goal Setting – How to set goals and achieve them. Discuss ambition and motivation.
Research Skills – When you know how and where to find information and resources you have the power to teach yourself anything.
Self Development – How to continue to grow once school is behind you.

Life Skills – I’d have many topics under this heading including how to buy …

My opinions here were aroused by this news article on plans to keep a register of holidays taken within term-time.
I can’t stress enough how wrong I think this is.
For a start, the law states that a child must be provided with a suitable and age appropriate education. It does NOT state that a child must attend school, full, part or otherwise, that is why parents have free choice to homeschool, should they wish. This in mind, it begs the question, why do schools (and the government) have the …

Fine motor skills are small muscle movements of the fingers that help your child to perform school readiness activities such as:
Painting with a paintbrush
Cutting with scissors
Drawing and writing using a pencil or crayon correctly
Holding and using a knife and fork
Holding and manipulating small objects
Craft activities
(Nursery & School Guide Edinburgh 06/07)

THE PLAN
Choose any theme you want and adapt the plan accordingly. My theme is ‘Primary Colours’.

Monday: Do three paintings. A Red painting, a Blue painting and a Yellow painting.
Tuesday: Take some magazines, old paper and cards in the three primary …

About half an hour ago I was saying to Alex (my not-so better half) that I fancied a sweet.
And as if by intention manifestation (sorry that was a pavlina joke for those of you not in the know) or because it was 7.00pm I heard the jingly sped up version of ‘You are my Sunshine’ ringing out for the whole street (neigbourhood!) to hear.
My sandals couldn’t carry me fast enough, I grabbed my wallet, and hurtled down the four floors hoping beyond hope that I wouldn’t miss it by a …