Parent Read

A very informative read that examines many aspects of parenting gifted children.

Extract-

“ I guess what I want to say here is that being gifted isn't a free ticket to an easy life. Gifted people aren't made by flashcards, or Mozart or second languages or any other kind of early education. These people are found across all races, cultures, and socioeconomic groups, globally.”

WriteOn Competition

Congratulations to Will (Year 6) and Chiara (Year 3) as their WriteOn entries have been selected to represent our school in the annual competition. Please read an excerpt below:

As the morning pierces through the dark night abyss, the sun glistens and beams through the gaps in the tent’s weather-beaten canvas roof. The soldier leans up and props himself up against the prickly wood spar as his bright blue eyes prop open. He gazes at his fingertips, no longer holding the artist's brush, still trembling with fear. Nervously, he reaches for his dented steel helmet, clenches the leather strap,the top layers flake off. He dresses in full uniform for one last time. Will

My legs were aching, and my heart was pounding. It was such a long way to walk back to the orphanage; I was not thinking properly, and I had taken the wrong turn. Suddenly, I looked up and caught a glimpse of the horse-drawn carriages and the steel train that was beckoning me. Ironically, the painting had come alive. Redfern Station was my ticket to freedom. I embarked on the journey. Chiara

Holiday Ideas

Here is a list of some possible daytime educational ventures to pursue in the July holidays.

Arts and Culture National Library of Australia

The National Library of Australia provides programs for students in Years 5-12.

For students and families: http://www.nla.gov.au/learning/families

Australian Museum Programs

Programs for children related to Australian history, science, and culture.

Website: http://australianmuseum.net.au

State Library New South Wales

Website http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au

Art Gallery of NSW

http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Centennial Parklands Website

http://www.centennialparklands.com.au

Mrs Jo Ford | Newman Facilitator

How To Support Your Child If They Have Low Self Esteem

Children with Learning Difficulties may not feel good about themselves because of a sense of constant failure or just because they feel different from other children. Whether the difficulties be academic, sporting for social, they may feel “dumb”, “ugly” or “weird”.

Children look to parents as the most important people to help them find out about the world and about themselves. Parents can be like mirrors for their children – children look to their parents to find out about themselves. The way that they think their parents see them is often the way that they see themselves. As the child gets older other people also have an influence on how the child feels about themselves (such as brothers, sisters, teachers and friends).

Self-esteem and self-respect are two different things.

Self-respect is how we think the world views us. We develop self-respect by getting feedback about the things that we do. This may be about doing our jobs well, doing well in an exam or scoring a try at football. Sometimes children (and adults) only feel good if they win or come first at something. This makes it very difficult if you don't win or come first!

Self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves. We develop self esteem from feedback about the sort of person that we are. This may be by being a caring person, being someone who tries hard or by having a talent for sport. These things are true of us whether we win or not. In this way, if we have good self-esteem then we are more likely to feel happy about ourselves whether we win or not and are more likely to be motivated to try difficult things, to be interested in challenges.

Parents can help their child self-esteem by:

Praising, encouraging and accepting your child for who they are. This encouragement and support from the family helps to make the child’s self-esteem stronger in the classroom and the playground. Some children find it hard to hear praise or compliments or positive things about themselves. Don't give up!!! These messages are still important and go into your child's head even if they appear to shrug them off.
Emphasizing the child's strengths. Each child has strengths and weaknesses – every child has something they do well. It is important to remind your child of their strengths!
Help your child to experience success. Start out at an easier level first. When your child experiences success, give them lots of praise and encouragement to try at a harder level. This helps your child to think positively-that they CAN DO IT!
Don't compare your child to other children. If you compare your child to other children ( whether it is deliberate or not) then they will begin to think that in your eyes they are not as good as other children. Always bear in mind that every child will have strengths and weaknesses and having a strength in a particular area does not make a person better.
Accept and encourage your child's achievements at the level that they are at. Be realistic about the level they can achieve. do not give your child the impression that you are expecting things of them that they cannot achieve. It is better to let your child know that you are proud of their progress and effort- regardless of how that compares with other children.
Have special time with your children. This should be a time where you hug them and remind them that they are loved and special to you.
Acknowledge difficult areas. This helps your child to feel that someone cares and understands e.g “ It is really hard to write neatly”.
Try to teach them about subjects that may come up at school. If your child has a good general knowledge ( about animals, the sea or outer space) then they will be more likely to be able to contribute to class discussions and therefore feel better about school.
Focus on your child's strength – not their difficulties. If you can keep your child's areas of difficulties in perspective then it is likely your child will as well. This may have a large impact on your child's self image.
Keep home as a safe place. Remember that children can often spend the day at school or playground failing or being in challenging or stressful situations. At home, there is more chance to make it as safe and supportive as possible. Home can be a place where confidence is restored, where it is safe to practice difficult things without being ridiculed or laughed at if you fail initially.
What is most important. As adults we know we are good at some things (e.g. sport, reading, writing, telling stories) and it is frustrating if your child is not good at something that you find easy. However, we need to remind ourselves that there is more to life than being a brilliant footballer or being the top of the grade. What counts is that children are happy, they feel valued and that they have a purpose in life.

Ms Janelle Schembri | Diverse Learning Coordinator

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