Editor’s Note:

Mom and CV teacher Helen Oliphant has dropped by today to lend us a hand getting into the learning that happens away from the classroom this Summer.

She kicks it all off with tips on how to help your kiddos get reading, with a little help from mom and dad.

“Thurs. June 2, 1977.

I want to be a teacher when I am big. I am good at skating. Mrs. Brown calls me Speedy. And I want to be a skating teacher too. Do you know why I want to be a teacher because if people are bad I will send them in a corner. My name will be Miss Oliphant.”

I was in grade 2 when I wrote that journal entry.

My teacher was Mrs. Brown.

(Apparently) I knew from a very young age that I wanted to teach. I have taught inside of classrooms. I have taught outdoors. I have taught while sitting in kayaks and I have taught while in a harness and hanging from a rock face. It’s quite amazing the connection you can make with a young person when you are in such a setting.

A quick look at my handy-dandy thesaurus (it is never far away) provides me with a plethora of synonyms for the word teacher – coach, guide, guru, trainer, mentor, tutor, professor and moralizer.

When I read these words I think back to my own teachers I wonder which word best describes them.

I also think of myself, and I wonder if any students think of me as any one of those, knowing that as school winds down I need to gear up as the guide, mentor, tutor as well as mom for my kids this Summer when time away from the classroom gives us the extra moments to focus on skills that are a bit lagging.

As we (rather quickly) approach the end of June there is no doubt that the little ones are looking forward to lazy mornings of sleeping in and sun-drenched evenings playing in the backyard.

School is soon out. But, I know the teaching isn’t over. This particular teacher is looking towards this Summer as “the Summer to really get my son reading”.

My first-born has a great love of books. He can often be found having quiet time in front of the bookshelves, leafing through one book and then another. He also finds great joy in looking through magazines and even toy catalogues (go-figure).

When I see him sitting there reading by and to himself, I stop what I am doing and my heart just surges with pride for him and for what he is doing. In a way it’s a little pat on the back as if to say “look you are doing the right things!” (I’m sure all you mummies out there know exactly what I’m talking about – when we question ourselves about doing the right things by our children)

But given that, when I sit with him and an easy reader, he often refuses to read. He says he is too lazy (or stuck with “lazy-glue” a phrase the parental units in our house coined, and its coming back to bite us you know where).

I know that he can read many words, he can read signs, he can read things on the calendar and his has even been known to write words he knows. Just recently a sign showed up on his door, STAY OUT.

My main goal this Summer will be to get him to happily read stories with me. I’ve been doing some research as to how to best approach this and have some tips for parents who are facing the same dilemma in their house:

- Reading fluency: by re-reading favourite stories and giving them very easy reading materials (even below their reading levels) they learn to read more fluently and as a result the reading seems easier to them and they gain the confidence to attack more difficult stories. Just like learning to walk before we run, we want to be really good walkers first.

- Making connections: it has been shown that reading levels will shoot up when the reading materials are meaningful and interesting to the children. We often read stories about building things, camping, fishing and playing games – some of my first’s favourite things to do.

- One-on-one attention: sitting in a quiet place, giving children all of your attention will help them to realise that they are important to you and that what you are doing is also important.

- Be patient and positive, recognize successes, even the small ones.

- Go to the library together. Choose books that you can read together and also encourage your little ones to choose books that they will read independently. I plan on signing both of my children up for the summer reading program at the library, so I’ll keep all of you posted with our successes.

A teacher has the power to change lives. It’s more than just reading, writing and knowing your times tables. Teaching is about empathy, respect, connecting. Teaching is about sharing skills and knowledge in order that young people can be empowered.

Empower your kids and help them learn along side you this Summer.

Teach them the value of stories by taking the time to read together.

Stay tuned for next months article about how to bring learning opportunities into every day life!