Sibling success    064

Brothers and sisters are very used to playing with each other, and sometimes where there is a reasonable age difference the older child can be very helpful to the mother in many ways. Usually however mothers do not think of educational assistance. But older brothers and sisters can really help their younger siblings if they do just two vital things, and do them at least a few times every week.

The first is reading. Younger children really like being read to and it is so important for language development. Both children should be facing in the same direction so the younger child can see the text as it is being read. From time to time the story should be talked about and that includes the illustrations. And don’t forget nursery rhymes and children’s poems which simply must be read aloud. Parents should obtain the largest and best illustrated versions they can as these treasures can be used for generations.

The second vital activity is to help the younger child learn his or her tables and combinations. Ten minutes at least four or five times a week is required, and that’s every week.

The problem is today, with so many topics crowded into the school curriculum, children simply do not spend long periods of time doing sums as they once did. This means that many children receive insufficient practice so therefore they must practise tables and combinations at home. If children are weak on tables and combinations they find it difficult to follow when the teacher explains something, and they find it difficult to get enough work done at school, and all this means, as you might imagine, slower progress in mathematics.

So now, as well as being mum or dad, you are principal of your own little school. Get the students working and helping one another. Always remember that the quality and enjoyment of the activity is what is important. One of the main aims of reading to your children, for example, is to encourage them to love reading, the foundation of success in English.

All content copyright—Mark Thackray—Australian Educational Services