From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

rtandon27

Another opinion from another online Aunty!

I'm so sure that our darling LG will grow up to be who they are no matter what their school experiences are and no matter what direction they are guided to follow!

OH's Mom was told when he was a boy, that if he just tried a little harder he could be in the A stream.  His reply was 'Why would I waste energy to be at the bottom of the A-stream when I am at the top of the B-stream?'   His Mom saw the sense and didn't push him on the matter any further.  He went on to have a paid apprenticeship, was in work by 16, worked his way up to manage a company before he was 30 and retired early in his early 60's.  He now enjoys life as a retired house-husband!  His performance in school was irrelevant to his career success & enjoyment of life!

Cherryfudge

I love the idea of audiobooks, though I don't listen to them myself. It will be good for vocabulary and pronunciation - but excellent news that you have found something to read together.

For writing practice (and physically writing is good because it helps the brain to process what's been written), how about a game of consequences? In fact there are other writing games for this age group if you Google. 

Watty1

Greying do you know anyone with a quiet dog?    Dogs love to be read to and it does wonders for a childs confidence in reading  apparently.  I have an American friend whose collie goes to school to be read to by the children who are struggling.  Sometimes her dog goes to sleep, and she just tells the children it is because they are enjoying listening and thanks them. 

If you were closer I'd pay LG's pocket money to come and read to WattyDog  as he loves children and is bored on his enforced rest.

greenbee

ooh... Will pop Stinky in the post tomorrow... 

Sunshine_girl2

Sounds like a win , win for everyone and enjoyment for all. Hope the book is like the film. 

Blackcats

@Cherryfudge - I still love a game of consequences!  I introduced 3 grandchildren to it a few years ago and they loved it too.  Always the chance for some cheeky comments that make us chuckle.  You also have to write neatly so that your entries can be read out loud.

themadvix

We as a family play Boggle - my Nan bought it for me when I was about 11 and it has become a firm family favourite, with the wider family too. Small children like to join in too, with a bit of leeway for two-letter words. Good for expanding the vocabulary (loads of random 3-letter words - have a dictionary to hand for looking up and reading out the definitions) and exercising the brain (the letters can twist in lots of directions).

Greying_Pilgrim

rt - I'm a firm advocate of the route your OH took, but the only slight concern I have (and I realise I may be talking baloney), is whether the same mechanisms will exist when LG leaves high school/college.  Although I went the academic route, DH didn't, and I realise there is room for both options - or any combination of them in between.  It's a cliché, I know, but I just want LG to be happy as they can be, in their school life and beyond.  I'm quite sure that competitive rankings in education hasn't really helped actual teaching/learning.  

Cherryfudge - speaking entirely personally, and from my former profession, I can work things out writing it down 100% more effectively than I can typing it out.  Perhaps its my age, but I've always found that to be true. 

Oh Watty, LG is more of a cat person than a doggy type, but oh my gosh, telling stories to doggies 🥰  I love that and know that there was a scheme locally....... I'm going to say through the library - for children to read to a certified assistance dog 🥰I can imagine - a GSD (I grew up with a GSD as the family pet, I think they're great), a lovely Golden Retriever, or a perky border collie (my fave, sorry), oh heavens, what a lovely thing to do 😁

greenbee - super lovely 🥰

Sunshine_girl2 - that's the issue isn't it? I think the film is an animation, and that the beebeecee were involved somehow.  But the book is engaging, and has some words that have need explanation or us practicing our pronounciation.  I'm not sure what age range it's targetted at, but it's an interesting book.  I'm glad we've the opportunity to enjoy it together 🥰

qu0rn fricasse and pasta for tea has been munched.  We all enjoyed a fakey corney-etto for pud.  

Thanks everyone for popping in and chatting with me.  Super appreciated.

Greying X

VintageHistorian

Could also look at getting a wordsearch book for LG to work their way through, particularly as a rainy day activity. Gets them familiar with reading the full word (since part-reading won't help them find it) and also broadens some of their vocab.

Greying_Pilgrim

tmv - I had to look that game up - not heard of that one.

VH - I lurves me a word-search, and I have managed to turn LG onto them too 😁  I must admit, I was a little surprised that they went for something so 'pedestrian' in a world of flashy, glittery entertainment, but they will engage. 10 - 20 words to find seems to currently be the 'sweet spot', but that's certainly an option to get a book - I'll have to sit on my hands and wear sunglasses in the house tho, to avoid doing all the puzzles first 🤣 

Thanks everyone for your suggestions - really appreciated, as always.   

Greying X