By Gavin Mackintosh-
The best parents of primary school children, or even secondary school children, are those who can keep them reading and developing their intellect in the summer period.
The hot weather is often a time for pleasure, games, and social activities. Most 8 or 9 year old’s would want to watch television or play on the computer all summer. Children between the ages of eight and eleven years old that spend time reading books or novels in the summer gain more confidence than their peers and develop faster.
The best parents influence their young children at this age to read and develop, but many of such parents are directed and motivated by good schools during parents evening to do this.
Research carried out by The Eye Of Media.Com shows that children that attend the best primary schools in the Uk are trained right from school to get into the habit of reading books beyond their age and learning new ideas and words useful for effective communication. An atmosphere for active learning is stimulated by ambitious teachers who deserve all our sweet praise.
The practise at school is continued by their parents at home, in many cases under the inspiration of the school leadership.
INSPIRATION
Pushy parents are generally in the minority, and in most cases would have benefited from lots of inspiration themselves as kids. Some simply went to very good primary and secondary schools that encouraged this good practise. Parents who make their very young children read and learn in the summer , either at home or by joining a tutor group are investing wisely in their kids.
MATURE
Those children usually end up developing an early interest in reading and learning, and mature quicker. Some of the very best primary and secondary schools in the Uk encourage their pupils to read at home during weekends and holidays, but first develop that love in them in class by training them to love reading and build an appreciation for expression and learning.
Children at St Stephens Primary school in East Ham, for example, have been trained well to maintain the habit of regular reading. Under the leadership of headteacher Ms Lull, the school also trains parents of their pupils to sustain the good habits they teach their children at school.
13 out of 20 parents of pupils at St Stephens confirmed that their children of ten years of age and under had a regular habit of reading at home, even during the summer holidays. Some are trained at home by their parents, others attend summer classes and are followed up by their parents at home.
WORK ETHIC
Once an environment with a high work ethic is created at school, it becomes easier for children to develop enough interest to continue it at home, even during holidays. Though the very best schools go out of their way to arrange summer tutor groups to keep their pupils motivated and make the habit of reading and learning seem normal and desirable in their environment.
Children will also be more motivated if they see their parents themselves reading at home. Children who read regularly enough during the summer will generally start secondary school with a high that gives them a good start.
PRACTICES
All parents can benefit from the practices employed by the best parents by encouraging their very young children to spend a few hours everyday reading a stimulating and educational book, maintaining a similar discipline to those children who attend the best schools and are supported by the best parents.