Habit-building for high school and beyond

Approaching later primary school years can be a time of mixed emotions for students and their parents. Independence is emerging in the form of homework and study time, interest in specific subject areas might be developing, and ideas about the world and how to make a positive impact are surfacing.

But with these leaps of development can also come intimidation for what new systems of learning and expectations lie ahead when starting high school.

All of a sudden, class timetables are allocated, each class featuring a different group of students based on subject selection, and exams become a common hallmark of school term calendars, as do academic reports, student bell curves and international performance standards.

By working together with your child to build these 5 actions, habits can be formed now in time to start high school in the coming years, with confidence.

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5 ways to take the stress out of school work

As children progress through primary school and approach the start of high school, a common theme that emerges among parents is the noticeable increase in homework. Anxiety can quickly ripple through the home as children resist what can feel like a daily chore, while parents start to question, can this be avoided? One certainty is that homework will continue to be a common part of the school experience, with some teachers focusing on building effective work habits and others emphasising mastery of content covered in class. As parents attempt to juggle a range of tactics in the hope to keep on top of teacher expectations and the curriculum, we’re here to lend some guidance! Here are 5 strategies designed for parents to help take the stress out of school work.

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4 Benefits of Recommended Reading Lists

For those of us lucky to have been introduced to the power of reading, we know that it can ignite a child’s curiosity and imagination, as well as lead them to develop empathy for others and an understanding of the world around them. Stories invite children to picture themselves in the same shoes as the characters they learn about. They can also hone a child’s comprehension skills, as they retell their favourite parts, try out new vocabulary and build on knowledge from other books.

At NumberWorks’nWords centres, our expert tutors and centre managers recommend reading lists based on the abilities and interests of each child. If you are looking for a recommended reading list for your children, check out these book lists by age.

As we celebrate international literacy day, we highlight the 4 ways a recommended reading list can spark a lifelong love of reading and help them to develop essential skills that will support them through life.

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