Get ready, homework, maths, reading, writing

Make haste slowly: Coaching your child reading, writing, and maths the fast way.


Haste makes for slow reading, writing and Mathematics progress: Relaxed, steady focus works. One new different thing reading, writing, Mathematics skills at a time. I often only begin coaching one area (reading, writing, or Mathematics) that a student finds difficult, and one reading, writing, or Mathematics skill they are comfortable with, and love. To begin… Continue reading Make haste slowly: Coaching your child reading, writing, and maths the fast way.

Get ready, homework, maths, reading, writing

Coming from left field when coaching reading, writing, or maths: The importance of surprise!


Coming from left field: How to use reverse psychology when coaching reading, writing, or maths skills. Surprise works! Your main aim when teaching your children is to encourage your student to stay alert, or in optimal learning mode while learning reading, writing, or maths skills. So I often do the opposite of what an adult… Continue reading Coming from left field when coaching reading, writing, or maths: The importance of surprise!

coaching, Get ready, homework, maths, Problem-solving, reading, spelling, writing

Help your child develop their reading, writing, and mathematics skills: Don’t leave it all up to the teachers.


Is your child reluctant to go to school? Not bringing homework home? Refusing to read and write? Disliking mathematics? Parental involvement in children learning to read, write, and do mathematics is a key factor in them doing well at school. Parental involvement shapes the child's identity as a learner, and sets higher expectations for the… Continue reading Help your child develop their reading, writing, and mathematics skills: Don’t leave it all up to the teachers.

coaching, reading

The secret to helping your child learn to read.


This student was taught phonics and learnt to read very quickly. Decide exactly what you want. Set clear and exciting goals with your child. The goals should be written as wishes. Exciting and achievable wishes that you both want to happen. You can both get excited about what interesting books they will soon be able… Continue reading The secret to helping your child learn to read.

coaching, phonics, reading

Phonics: The secret weapon that helps your child learn to read and spell.


Reading and writing should be easy to learn Many children are reluctant readers and poor spellers who struggled to learn to read and don’t like writing. They prefer not to read, or see reading as work rather than fun, and write the minimum, using simple words they can spell. What a great pity this is… Continue reading Phonics: The secret weapon that helps your child learn to read and spell.

coaching, Get ready, learning and remembering, maths, reading, writing

Making connections – the key to remembering reading and spelling words, and maths facts


Learn reading, spelling and maths skills faster by making connections. The more connections (or memory pathways) your child makes, the better they will remember new information when learning to read, spell, or do maths. The new memory pathways your child is making need their full attention and the support of already existing pathways to grow… Continue reading Making connections – the key to remembering reading and spelling words, and maths facts

coaching, Get ready, homework, reading

Read regularly to your child


Read regularly to your children Reading to your child is VERY important. Many of us think that because our child reads already, they do not need us to read with them anymore. Even when your child can read for themselves, reading to them and with them is important for 4 reasons. You can both regularly enjoy precious,… Continue reading Read regularly to your child

coaching, Get ready, phonics, reading, spelling, writing

Before children can read and spell they must learn to listen


Most of us live in a noisy and busy world where we rush from one appointment to another. Many of our children are living noisy and busy lives as well. They are surrounded by noise and busyness from the TV, play-station, radio, traffic, school or play groups, and from us. Our children do not always… Continue reading Before children can read and spell they must learn to listen

coaching, maths, Problem-solving, reading, writing

A useful definition of patience when working with your child’s reading, writing, and maths skills


The mutually respectful relationship you build with your child when coaching reading, writing, or maths skills decides whether you will be a successful coach or not. Patience is an important part of developing mutual respect, but patience is a lot more than just holding your breath and feeling 'patient' while working with your child on their… Continue reading A useful definition of patience when working with your child’s reading, writing, and maths skills