Great Education

For years we’ve been hearing the mantra ‘boys don’t read.’ Sometimes I wonder if this attitude isn’t perpetuated by such comments and assumptions.

What is necessary to grow a male reader? One is having books read to them from the time they are born. I mean a wide variety of books, not just those considered ‘boy books.’ Another is having a reading example especially from their father or other men.

I taught our son to read before school. Quite simply he was ready. He’d experienced the pleasure to be had from reading a book as he listened to myriad stories. A word of advice here – don’t stop reading to them when they are old enough to read themselves. This is true for parents and for teachers.

At school I, along with my class, loved it when teachers read a story. Parents and teachers, let’s see what we can do to make our boys readers by reading to them as much as possible, not as texts to study but just for the sheer enjoyment of reading.

The other thing that helped our son grow into a reader was he learned by example. He watched his father and me reading. Seeing a father who reads is an invaluable role model for boys, as is growing up with a house filled with books and an active library membership.

Don’t assume boys will only read book by male authors with male characters. Author Kirsty Murray said ‘boys who read, who are genuinely literate, read regardless of who is the author of the book.’

Another found her sons read and enjoyed the Laura Ingall’s Wilder, Little House on the Prairie books as well as those by Terry Pratchett, Mark Twain and Rudyard Kipling. That was certainly my experience too. My son, who was an avid reader as a child and teenager and still is, wanted a good book. He didn’t care if the character was male or female as long as it was a good story. Growing up he read The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Treasure Island, Gulliver’s Travels, Call of the Wild, Storm Boy, myriad books about King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table, all the Frank Baum Oz books, every Hardy Boys mystery he could lay his hands on and also the Nancy Drew series. As a young teenager he read books by male authors but also books by Joan Phipson, Eleanor Spence, Margaret Paice, Cynthia Voight and others with female lead characters. It was not uncommon for him and I to read the same book and then talk about the characters and the story, at least until the time he started reading Stephen King, at which point I left him to it.

It helped that he had an avid reader for a father too. My husband reads war histories, Wilbur Smith, Deighton, Le Carre, Fredrick Forsythe, Terry Pratchett, and endless fantasy – his favourites being the Robert Jordan Wheel of Time series. However he also reads books I’ve read and enjoyed – all of Fannie Flagg’s novels starting with Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café, a couple of Marika Cobbold novels and several Jane Austen.

So to get them reading and keep them reading read to them, read widely and give them an example of reading. Follow these principles and you’ll have more chance of growing a male reader and improving his education.

Just when I think I heard everything …

A Swedish couple has decided to keep their child’s sex a secret to avoid him, I mean it, I mean, “Pop” being forced into a “specific kind of mold from the beginning.”

The toddler is the name of Pop. And so far, the only people who know the Pop genre’s are the changes that one of his’ s layers. Pop wears dresses, pants, and everything he / she wants (Pop allow parents to choose his clothes every day). Pop also parents to change her hairstyle to avoid giving away any clues.

OK, seriously? I mean, I’m for equal rights and gender equality, but are you kidding me? This article made me absolutely incredible, but not in the right direction.

First, parents were asked how Pop feels just about the social experience, they decided to play with their offspring? And that’s exactly what it is a social experience. These parents are not concerned about their own child welfare. They are more anxious to prove a point for the public, because for some reason, they have a personal vendetta against a man or a woman. As a psychologist so rightly pointed out, these parents have the right to use their children as an opportunity to make an idealogical point?

This is wrong and it’s cruel. Pop has been thrown into this twisted experiment without being allowed to decide their own self what it wants. Why do not the parents to change their appearance to be unidentifiable sex wise and then go out and conduct their social experiment in this way? No! These selfish individuals are using their child to take stock.

Being a man or woman is the basis and it is natural. Each type has its own specific needs. This is not a crime to be one or the other, and must never be ashamed of her sex. By refusing the child’s most basic instincts as a man or a woman, I think these parents are setting up this child for some major psychological damage on the road.

What do you think? Do you think these parents are entitled to keep the sex of their child a “secret”? Do you think the child will grow stronger, and without stereotypes against men or women, or do you think he / she will be psychologically and / or emotionally damaged because of it?

Some children have trouble learning to talk. Some of them may not even start even after they turn two. As parents it is necessary to observe and analyze when your child learns to talk, how he or she talks so that you can take immediate steps to tackle the situation.

As parents what is important to observe is to know whether your child understands simple instructions that you give him. Children can comprehend simple instructions and that exceeds his expression. If parents feel that the child can understand the language but has trouble speaking, it means that the child has some speech defects or it can also be that the child is simply a late bloomer and may start talking late!

Parents should keep talking to the child. Speak in simple sentences about things that happen around your child’s life. While going out, keep telling your child about various things, interest him/her and encourage them to talk. It is always a good option to take your child out to places such as a museum or a zoo where he or she can view a lot of things. Places like this always encourage a child to speak up.

Encourage your child to learn easy words. Simple nouns and verbs are usually preferred to begin with. What is important is to be patient and take through the whole process slowly. When speaking to your child, speak at a slow rate. Also be consistent in your approach.

Boarding schools are a popular concept among parents. Also known as residential schools, they are basically educational institutions. Kids live with fellow students and teachers at boarding schools away from their families. It is institute’s responsibility to provide food and lodging facilities to the students. There have always been two schools of thoughts about significance of boarding schools. On one hand, many parents find boarding schools a necessary thing where kids learn to be disciplined and develop a sense of responsibility. Kids also learn to manage their own life and are better equipped to handle outside world. On the other hand, many parents don’t find residential schools such a big temptation. According to them, kids living at these schools miss family ties and are often prone to undesirable activities and habits. Both sides have their own reasons.

Let’s have a look at several effects of boarding schools on kids. The effects include both positive as well as negative ones. First among the positive effects is definitely the discipline factor. Boarding schools often follow a strict schedule and kids have to follow the rules. In the process, a sense of discipline develops in the child. Children also develop several good habits like eating and sleeping on time, waking up early, exercise regimen etc. a child learns to be more independent as he has to take care of himself. He becomes more responsible and develops the habit of doing chores himself.

Negative effects include detachment from family because of distance. The independent feel gets curbed up in the home environment so child prefers to stay away from the home. Children are also prone to addictive habits like smoking and drinking. This happens because there is no one to look closely after them. Misuse of freedom is another issue.

Boarding schools are a popular concept among parents. Also known as residential schools, they are basically educational institutions. Kids live with fellow students and teachers at boarding schools away from their families. It is institute’s responsibility to provide food and lodging facilities to the students. There have always been two schools of thoughts about significance of boarding schools. On one hand, many parents find boarding schools a necessary thing where kids learn to be disciplined and develop a sense of responsibility. Kids also learn to manage their own life and are better equipped to handle outside world. On the other hand, many parents don’t find residential schools such a big temptation. According to them, kids living at these schools miss family ties and are often prone to undesirable activities and habits. Both sides have their own reasons.

Let’s have a look at several effects of boarding schools on kids. The effects include both positive as well as negative ones. First among the positive effects is definitely the discipline factor. Boarding schools often follow a strict schedule and kids have to follow the rules. In the process, a sense of discipline develops in the child. Children also develop several good habits like eating and sleeping on time, waking up early, exercise regimen etc. a child learns to be more independent as he has to take care of himself. He becomes more responsible and develops the habit of doing chores himself.

Negative effects include detachment from family because of distance. The independent feel gets curbed up in the home environment so child prefers to stay away from the home. Children are also prone to addictive habits like smoking and drinking. This happens because there is no one to look closely after them. Misuse of freedom is another issue.