Do too many computer games make children averse to reading books?

I’m writing this post after a massive stand-off with our middle child. It was literally a three-hour battle of wills. And it was about…a reading homework.

Homeworks in our house are lengthy affairs. The kids come home, their returns staggered by about an hour in general. The two youngest are first home, and they get stuck into homework right away. How quickly they finish depends on how focused they are, how tired after school and how hungry.

Today, Jake had to do a reading homework in addition to his usual tasks. You could tell right away he was going to be a reluctant participant. He was impatient to race off and play Playstation with his brother. Since the Playstation made a surprise return to our household earlier this week, it’s been virtually all they want to do.

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Early Reading Skills In The Enriched Curriculum

When Rachel first began primary one, we were told that as her school were using the enriched curriculum method of teaching they would not be formally learning to read and write until at least primary two. However we were assured that if our children expressed an interest in ay of these skills they would be encouraged.

The enriched curriculum seems to focus very much on learning through play and on phonics as an introduction to early reading. I was surprised when Rachels teacher said that she was ready to start taking home reading books for herself and even more surprised when she quickly moved up to the next level. However this method of learning seems to work better than I could have ever hoped.

Rachel enjoys reading and makes a game out of sounding out the words. The songs and ryhmes which she learned for each letter have helped her to associate the letters with their sounds and now reading is beginning to come very naturally to her.

I was dubious when I first heard about the enriched curriculum method of teaching, but when I compare Rachel’s progress with some others of her age, she is at the same if not a more advanced level, yet she hasn’t had to learn dozens of spellings every week and actually has a real enthusiasm for school and for literacy.

Starting Preschool

We got the long awaited letter today. The one saying that Jake has been offered a place in the local preschool nursery and thankfully will be attending in the morning session.

When Jake was first born I thought it would be difficult for him to attend preschool for two years. He was born in early August and so by the time he starts primary school he will be five years old. Now his fourth birthday is almost upon us and I am glad it is nursery and not primary school he will be attending in September.

Academically he could go to primary school and I think he would fare well, but emotionally I think he will benefit from the extra year at preschool and at home. Jake is still very dependant on us (his parents) and I think another year would help ready him for ‘big school’ and being away from home for 5 hours at a time.

Nursery Graduation

So, Rachel had her nursery graduation ceremony yesterday. Most of the grandparents came to the school to watch the little concert they’d prepared and to see the kids getting their certificates from the principal of the school.

I showed up slightly late, due to my parents managing to get mixed up over timings. When I got in to the assembly hall, the children were already on stage. It didn’t take long to locate my little cherub on the left of the stage among a gaggle of friends.

The concert began with a few songs from the children, sung in that tuneless, half shouted manner that kids do best!

My heart melted as I saw Rachel scanning the audience and as her eyes settled on my she broke into a huge grin and waved down to me. We spent the rest of the concert intermittently nodding and smiling at each other across the hall.

When the time came, she had to walk out to the middle of the stage to receive her certificate from the principal. As she did it, she looked slightly nervous, but she turned and gave a big wave to the whole family as she walked back to her seat!

It’s always great to see Rachel in her element, mixing with the other kids. She’s such a little butterfly, and she knows it!

Carnival of Homeschooling Week 19

For anyone interested in homeschooling, why not jump over and have a look at the Carnival of Homeschooling.

Its really informative and contains some very high quality links (including one to us of course).

A great one for any current homeschoolers or anyone interested in starting.

Sesame Street: Recommended Site For Pre-School Children

I spent over an hour on the Sesame Street website with Jake this evening while the others were out. I’ve always found the Sesame Street website to be a fun learning resource for the children, and tonight was no exception.

Jake spent most of his time playing the Elmo games. Because of his age, I aimed him toward the easier games, but he surprised me in his ability to retain information.

Letters & Numbers

For example, the Keyboard Elmo game (that’s what we call it) allows your to press a key and a word beginning with that letter comes up on screen. If you press a number, Elmo counts teddy bears, hearts, etc up to that number.

After a bit of punching random keys, Jake began to work out the little animations he like and the letters that triggered them. He would keep pressing “R” to get the rainbow animation, for example.

Tallest & Shortest

We also spent some time on the Limbo Elmo game. This is a game where you have to select the tallest or shortest from four monsters to do the limbo dance. I was surprised that Jake could easily pick the tallest and shortest monsters – Rachel had some difficulty understanding the concept at his age.

One of Jake’s funny little quirks was he started noticing which monsters were ‘missing’ in each game. If the pink one had been in the previous game, but not in the current game, he asked me where she (yes, she) went! I found myself making excuses: “She went to get an ice-cream”, or “She went for a swim”.

I also let him have a go clicking the mouse to select the monster he wanted. I find these online games are brilliant for getting kids used to using the mouse.

Over To You

Do you have any favourite websites you like to visit with your children? I’m always on the lookout for something interesting and different, so I’d love to hear your recommendations!