Answers to teaching your child reading, writing and maths.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

My child has been at school for more than a year, and I don’t think he can read or write yet. What should I do?

1. ‣See your child’s classroom teacher first. There may be something the school can do to help your child learn to read and write.
   

2. ‣Ask the teacher what you can do to help your child succeed.
   

3. ‣Check out The Weird Word Game it’s a fun way to help your child to read and spell!
   

I’ve been trying to teach her and she won’t co-operate.

1. ‣At first just direct your child or remind her what she is meant to be doing. Use brief sentences, such as “Get on with your work now” or “I’m ready to coach now”.
   

2. ‣Next you might use the powerful ‘when-then’ statement. For example:
   

3. ‣“When you have finished ….(say exactly how much work), then you can do …...(suggest something they like more).”This could include other work they enjoy more or if the agreed amount of work is finished it could be something fun.
   

4. ‣Other strategies are given to you in the Families as Coaches programme

I have a busy life and have little time or energy to teach my child. What can I do?

Understanding and using the following ideas from The Families as Coaches Programme helps you find the time and energy.

1. ‣Change your attitude. Think on this - When you consider your total life-span, there is only a very short period of time that you can teach your children so they are successful students - then get on with problem-solving how and when you will work with your child. 
   

2. ‣There are some simple ways to teach your child reading, writing and math skills when you are very busy.
   

For example:

1. i.Use any ‘down-time’ to teach such as when you are waiting, or in the car.
   

2. ii.Set specific times with your child for coaching over the week and stick to them. They should be times that suit you both as much as possible
   

3. iii.Decide on as many coaching sessions as is realistic for your busy life. Three or more times a week and you will notice definite improvements in your child’s reading, writing and math skill levels.
   

4. iv.Short and often coaching times are better than long and seldom.
   

5. v.Forgive yourself quickly when you have a bad week teaching your child, and then plan your times for the next week.
   

6. vi.Use a diary that shows you the days for a whole week immediately when you open the page. Then you will ‘see’ your whole week when you open it, and be able to plan when you and your child will work together.

Buy the Weird Word Game and receive a FREE E-book Coaching Guide

Sign up for our newsletter

Events dates