|
|
|
Our Children
Written By: Nicole Dames
October 11, 2015
.
I have had the pleasure and opportunity to work with middle school and high school students that struggle with listening, speaking, reading and writing. I am acutely aware that if they do not improve these four elements within their remaining school years that deficiency in these areas could drastically impede progress in their young adult life. I believe that in order to reduce the number of students with a weak foundation, as a community, we need to start helping our children as soon as possible to develop in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
The earlier a child is introduced and exposed to speaking, listening, and reading and writing, it will improve his or her life going into adulthood. Children who are not exposed to these four elements early in their childhood have a higher propensity to struggle throughout their lives. According to "Books and Beyond: Language Development in Young Children (Course, slide#5): "Babies begin learning language skills before they are born. Even in the womb babies learn to recognize familiar voices and respond to various sounds.” What can we do as parents, guardians, caregivers, family members, friends, and teachers to make sure each one of us are doing our part in the process of helping develop these four elements (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) in our children?
Let’s start, if possible, when the child is in the mother’s womb. When a woman is pregnant she should listen to soft music, pleasant stories; she should speak tenderly, with much love, to her unborn child/ children. After the child is born, speak to them, even before they can speak. Let them know what you are doing, for example, “Mom is going to give you a bath, Jordan, so that you are fresh and clean for bed." Also read to your child/children. If reading is not your strong point as a parent, get CDs with books and allow the CD’s to play while you and your child follow along. (When selecting books, remember that children like pictures.) Sometimes, we can check out books and CDs from our local library. Take your child/children to the local library when there is story reading. Keep in contact with your children’s teachers. Be involved as best as possible. I am aware that since there are so many single parents and that time and money can be an issue. Research, and speak with other parents. There are a lot of programs out there that are free and accessible to the public for assisting your child/children on the journey to learning how to speak, listen, read, and write.
“When it comes to learning language, environmental stimulation plays a major role. As research has shown, exposure to language yields results. Children who have been read to, spoken to, and encouraged to speak develop advanced language skills so while it is not fair to say that a child with less language comprehension has not been read to enough, it is fair to say that this child can probably use more of both.” (Books and Beyond: Slide 68)
Our part that we can play in the lives of our young children is to give them as many opportunities as possible and to encourage them to develop their listening, speak, reading, and reading skills.
Here are some practical things we can do. Take ten minutes a day to sit down and speak with Little Jordan. Jordan, how was your day? Tell me about something that happened to you today that made you happy? Was there something that made you sad? Did someone do something nice for you today? Tell me about it. Did you do something nice for someone today? Tell me about it. Give Little Jordan your undivided attention. What are you doing here? You are teaching Little Jordan to listen. Next, share with Little Jordan something in your day that would peak his/her interest. Now, what you are doing here is teaching Little Jordan how to listen, and teaching him/her possibly new words as well.
Another easy activity you could alternate for your ten minute session is to discuss Little Jordan’s favorite story with him/her. Listen to a short story on CD; sing Little Jordan’s favorite song with him/her. Take a five minute walk; take another five minutes to talk about what you saw during the walk. These are simple but effective things that are building blocks in developing the four fundamental elements in your child/ children future as an adult.
It is essential in developing our child/children’s speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, that we start as soon as possible even while they are in the womb. The work of nurturing these four fundamental skills in our children requires the collaboration of the entire community: parents, grandparents and other family members, the school, the library and other community organizations such as the church and children social clubs (scouts, girl’s guides, etc.).
I have had the pleasure and opportunity to work with middle school and high school students that struggle with listening, speaking, reading and writing. I am acutely aware that if they do not improve these four elements within their remaining school years that deficiency in these areas could drastically impede progress in their young adult life. I believe that in order to reduce the number of students with a weak foundation, as a community, we need to start helping our children as soon as possible to develop in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
The earlier a child is introduced and exposed to speaking, listening, and reading and writing, it will improve his or her life going into adulthood. Children who are not exposed to these four elements early in their childhood have a higher propensity to struggle throughout their lives. According to "Books and Beyond: Language Development in Young Children (Course, slide#5): "Babies begin learning language skills before they are born. Even in the womb babies learn to recognize familiar voices and respond to various sounds.” What can we do as parents, guardians, caregivers, family members, friends, and teachers to make sure each one of us are doing our part in the process of helping develop these four elements (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) in our children?
Let’s start, if possible, when the child is in the mother’s womb. When a woman is pregnant she should listen to soft music, pleasant stories; she should speak tenderly, with much love, to her unborn child/ children. After the child is born, speak to them, even before they can speak. Let them know what you are doing, for example, “Mom is going to give you a bath, Jordan, so that you are fresh and clean for bed." Also read to your child/children. If reading is not your strong point as a parent, get CDs with books and allow the CD’s to play while you and your child follow along. (When selecting books, remember that children like pictures.) Sometimes, we can check out books and CDs from our local library. Take your child/children to the local library when there is story reading. Keep in contact with your children’s teachers. Be involved as best as possible. I am aware that since there are so many single parents and that time and money can be an issue. Research, and speak with other parents. There are a lot of programs out there that are free and accessible to the public for assisting your child/children on the journey to learning how to speak, listen, read, and write.
“When it comes to learning language, environmental stimulation plays a major role. As research has shown, exposure to language yields results. Children who have been read to, spoken to, and encouraged to speak develop advanced language skills so while it is not fair to say that a child with less language comprehension has not been read to enough, it is fair to say that this child can probably use more of both.” (Books and Beyond: Slide 68)
Our part that we can play in the lives of our young children is to give them as many opportunities as possible and to encourage them to develop their listening, speak, reading, and reading skills.
Here are some practical things we can do. Take ten minutes a day to sit down and speak with Little Jordan. Jordan, how was your day? Tell me about something that happened to you today that made you happy? Was there something that made you sad? Did someone do something nice for you today? Tell me about it. Did you do something nice for someone today? Tell me about it. Give Little Jordan your undivided attention. What are you doing here? You are teaching Little Jordan to listen. Next, share with Little Jordan something in your day that would peak his/her interest. Now, what you are doing here is teaching Little Jordan how to listen, and teaching him/her possibly new words as well.
Another easy activity you could alternate for your ten minute session is to discuss Little Jordan’s favorite story with him/her. Listen to a short story on CD; sing Little Jordan’s favorite song with him/her. Take a five minute walk; take another five minutes to talk about what you saw during the walk. These are simple but effective things that are building blocks in developing the four fundamental elements in your child/ children future as an adult.
It is essential in developing our child/children’s speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, that we start as soon as possible even while they are in the womb. The work of nurturing these four fundamental skills in our children requires the collaboration of the entire community: parents, grandparents and other family members, the school, the library and other community organizations such as the church and children social clubs (scouts, girl’s guides, etc.).
Location |
|
The Raindrop and You
by Karah Raphaelita Newton
April 18, 2022
Dedicated to every person who has and will walk through the doors of A- MGE8
A Single Raindrop released from the sky
In its downward trajectory,
Join forces with millions more
To create showers that refresh the earth that’s home to us all.
What is it about the single raindrop that makes it so special?
It is unique…
Just like you.
Like the solitary raindrop, you are a power of one.
Working in unity, we are an unstoppable force.
With the Creator’s help, together, we can move mountains.
To the Alpha and Omega, I pray
That, day by day, in your uniqueness you may grow
And embrace the mighty power of working together, as one,
In the shining example of the Single Raindrop.
by Karah Raphaelita Newton
April 18, 2022
Dedicated to every person who has and will walk through the doors of A- MGE8
A Single Raindrop released from the sky
In its downward trajectory,
Join forces with millions more
To create showers that refresh the earth that’s home to us all.
What is it about the single raindrop that makes it so special?
It is unique…
Just like you.
Like the solitary raindrop, you are a power of one.
Working in unity, we are an unstoppable force.
With the Creator’s help, together, we can move mountains.
To the Alpha and Omega, I pray
That, day by day, in your uniqueness you may grow
And embrace the mighty power of working together, as one,
In the shining example of the Single Raindrop.