10 Reading Tips for Kindergarteners – Ekya Recommends
Our Schools
As a kindergartener, reading is a skill that is important to pick on early on, especially since it is key to your child’s academic future. As parents, we encourage you to play with letters, words, and sounds! Having fun with language helps your child learn to crack the code of reading. At Ekya, we have compiled ten reading tips for kindergarteners that offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader.
- Talk to your child: Ask your child to talk about his day at school. Encourage him to explain something they did, or a game he played during recess.
- Say silly tongue twisters: Sing songs, read rhyming books and say silly tongue twisters. These help kids become sensitive to the sounds in words.
- Read it and experience it: Connect what your child reads with what happens in life. If reading a book about animals, relate it to your last trip to the zoo.
- Use your child’s name: Point out the link between letters and sounds. Say, “John, the word jump begins with the same sound as your name. John, jump. And they both begin with the same letter, J.”
- Play with puppets: Play language games with puppets. Have the puppet say, “My name is Mark. I like words that rhyme with my name. Does park rhyme with Mark? Does ball rhyme with Mark?”
- Trace and say letters: Have your child use a finger to trace a letter while saying the letter’s sound. Do this on paper, in the sand, or on a plate of sugar.
- Write it down: Have paper and pencils available for your child to use for writing. Working together, write a sentence or two about something special. Encourage her to use the letters and sounds she’s learning about in school.
- Play sound games: Practice blending sounds into words. Ask “Can you guess what this word is? m – o – p.” Hold each sound longer than normal.
- Read it again and again: Go ahead and read your child’s favorite book for the 100th time! As you read, pause and ask your child about what is going on in the book.
- Talk about letters and sounds: Help your child learn the names of the letters and the sounds the letters make. Turn it into a game! “I’m thinking of a letter and it makes the sound mmmmmm.”
Parents, we recommend you to try a new reading tip each week and see what works best for your child.
For more reading tips, click the following links:
Explore more
Ekya / October 10, 2023
The Truth of Time
The Truth of Time
The mountain tops shiver As the snow begins to shower The water flows to cover The secrets of the river.
The birds trill near the lake As the morning sun awake The lion cub to take The crown for the sake.
The windows patter The things clatter The world scatter As our deeds matter
Isana G K
Grade 7
Ekya Schools, ITPL
Ekya / October 10, 2023
Financial literacy from an early age
It’s Jan 2022, I am in grade 6 as a substitute teacher. I ask the students to introduce themselves. They also get curious to know about me. As soon as I tell them that I am a senior grade teacher and I teach Accounts and Business studies, they are intrigued. The word Business catches their attention and some of them express their interest in Finance.
Now, I was fascinated to hear the word finance from such young children. Particularly fascinated by a young student Ms Ahaana Shetty, who explained how she manages her pocket money, as taught to her by her father. She had a clear understanding of creating a balance between saving and spending.
This was not the case in the earlier times. We can quote examples of celebrities who, despite having earned a fortune, burnt their hands at poor financing decisions. Amitabh Bachan’s ABCL took on more than it could handle, like the Miss World pageant, and exhausted all money. Then it took bank loans which it couldn't repay. Mr. Bachchan had retired, so there was no income and no savings.
The moral of the story is, that even if people earn astronomical sums, they need to invest it so that it keeps growing.
Having said that, it boils down to the fact that financial literacy at an early age is pivotal for building a strong foundation for financial well-being throughout life.
Teaching children about money, budgeting, savings and investments from a young age will help them make informed financial decisions. They can avoid the financial perils faced commonly by people.
The challenge in educating young children about finance would be the financial jargon which they may find overwhelming and difficult to understand. Hence it becomes important to use age-appropriate terminology.
As parents, we can give a reasonable amount of allowance to our children and ask them to use it wisely for needs, and wants and also save a part of it. This will help them to understand the concept of budgeting. We must also encourage them to make informed purchasing decisions, look for discounts and become a smart shopper.
A simple step like opening a savings bank account for the child and making them understand how a bank account works will introduce them to the importance of keeping money safe. They will understand how regular savings will grow over some time due to the compounding of interest.
Children must be taught about loans too. They need to understand that loans should not be borrowed if one is not sure of financial ability to repay. Also, they need to be taught that loans must be repaid timely, or else they will keep becoming bigger due to accumulating interest.
Older children can be introduced to the concepts of stocks and mutual funds. They can be encouraged to follow investments over time and learn about the dynamics of stock markets.
Schools can introduce financial literacy programs and take initiatives to incorporate financial education as part of the curriculum.
I would like to conclude by saying that it is essential for everyone to be financially literate and wisely invest money to grow it. It is equally important to keep track of investments. One should not spend more than what one earns, even if the earnings are enormous, otherwise, the money will not last very long.
Remember, it is your money.
Ekya / October 10, 2023
A Guide To Navigating Academic Stress
Academic pressure and impending board exams can feel like an overwhelming storm, but as a 10th-grade student who's been through the burnout ringer, I've discovered effective strategies to stay afloat. When stress creeps in, I lean on a toolbox of coping mechanisms that help me maintain balance and clarity.
Understanding my panic patterns has been key. I've learnt that giving my all is important, but the outcome isn't a mirror of my worth. I remind myself of this and reframe my perspective. To escape my study-clogged mind, I turn to books – they whisk me away to new worlds, however briefly. Music acts as a soothing balm; I limit panic to 5 minutes and then channel my energy into finding solutions.
Engaging in physical activities is another lifesaver. Running or spending time outdoors channels my pent-up energy, allowing my mind to reset. Moreover, taking up hobbies like painting or playing a musical instrument provides a welcome distraction and cultivates a sense of accomplishment beyond academics.
Remember, you're more than your grades. Embrace your unique strengths, employ these strategies, and watch stress lose its grip. With determination, self-awareness, and a dash of escapism, you'll breeze through the academic whirlwind.
Written By: Ahaana Singhal Student of Grade 10
Primary School Annual Day at Ekya School ITPL
The amphitheatre of EKYA, ITPL reverberated with the sounds of buoyant music, vivid narrations and dramatic voice-overs as the children of the primary section presented, “Stars of Destiny”, a musical during their annual concert for the academic year 2017-18. The programme was held in two batches keeping in mind the vast number of performers involved.
The day began early with eager parents and excited performers reporting to school, looking forward to a fruitful day. The students, dressed up and talking in hushed tones, waited eagerly backstage while our Vice Principal Ms. Jyothi Menon presented the School Annual Report.
After a quick introduction, the floor of the amphitheatre was taken over by the students of Grades I to V who confidently guided the guests as they embarked upon a journey into the land of their favourite tales. Be it Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, The World of Pinocchio, Cinderella’s Land of Long Long Ago or The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, each scene was redolent of the sense of wonderment, fantasy and adventure synonymous with the imaginary world our children love to revel in. The colourfully attired children sang and danced, emoted and narrated with panache and flamboyance.Their performance was loudly applauded by an appreciative audience at regular intervals.
The programme culminated with a zestful rendition of the school song. Ms. Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder & Managing Director, Ekya Schools, commended the mesmerizing performance of each child.The satisfaction of a job well done was evident on the face of the students as they stepped out of the school premises.
The day began early with eager parents and excited performers reporting to school, looking forward to a fruitful day. The students, dressed up and talking in hushed tones, waited eagerly backstage while our Vice Principal Ms. Jyothi Menon presented the School Annual Report.
After a quick introduction, the floor of the amphitheatre was taken over by the students of Grades I to V who confidently guided the guests as they embarked upon a journey into the land of their favourite tales. Be it Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, The World of Pinocchio, Cinderella’s Land of Long Long Ago or The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, each scene was redolent of the sense of wonderment, fantasy and adventure synonymous with the imaginary world our children love to revel in. The colourfully attired children sang and danced, emoted and narrated with panache and flamboyance.Their performance was loudly applauded by an appreciative audience at regular intervals.
The programme culminated with a zestful rendition of the school song. Ms. Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder & Managing Director, Ekya Schools, commended the mesmerizing performance of each child.The satisfaction of a job well done was evident on the face of the students as they stepped out of the school premises.5 Tips to Have Great Dinner Conversations with Your Kids
It’s half past 8 in the evening and Neema’s children have just settled around the dining table. Eight-year-old Aryan is glued to his tablet, streaming videos off YouTube in between his irregular bites while his sister Dhruti, has her mind on her Instagram feed than the meal in front of her. Pre-occupied from how the day unfolded at work, Neema’s motherly reminders, coaxing her children to eat, come in spurts. Over the last fifteen minutes, there hasn’t been a single meaningful interaction.
Technology has invaded dinnertime, not just at Neema’s household but across the world. Thanks to the multitudes of online distractions, conversations with our children over dinner can fall prey to one-word answers and abrupt air of silence.
Why Dinner
Dinner is that meal of the day when everyone comes together to break bread together. It is the perfect time for parents and children to revive the lost art of genuine conversation.
“You get one meal a day, together and this time should be used to connect with everyone in the family. I always ensure my boys are at the table with me, telling me about their day or discussing a topic of interest”, says Ms. Aruna to looks into the English curriculum at Ekya.
Why is it important to get conversations going with your kid over dinner?
Aside the one meal shared in each other’s company, the dining table is where the relationship between the child and the parent is strengthened. Speaking openly to familial audience brings out a positive outlook in the child that can potentially keep away symptoms of depression. While bringing up the opportunity of improving their vocabulary and enunciation, especially for younger kids, parents can really get a perspective into the day of their child and the events that unfold in the little one’s world.
For most parents, this concept is probably intuitive, but it turns out there's science behind it. In her bracing new book, Reclaiming Conversation, MIT psychologist Sherry Turkle explains that the rituals of dinner are "sacred." "It's around food where we relax," Turkle told us, "where we look each other in the eye and say, we're ready, we're listening”
Family Talk Jar
A set of unknown questions left to be revealed every night at the dinner table, the Conversation Jar works great, especially with little kids. A well-worded question is the quickest way to connect after a long day. It could be a topic of interest or a quirky question; these are sure shot starters that can spark deeper conversations about things that matter to your kid and you.
No Devices at the Table
To erase distractions is to cut away their source – no technology or its influence at the table. Ms. Ahlada, who leads our Computer Science curriculum at Ekya shares her dining table policies at home,
“I have a strict policy at home, during dinner. No phones, no tablets, no devices. Books are also no exceptions. No voracious reading at the dining table. Checking for emails, messages can wait for an hour”
Turkle has found that even having a phone in your peripheral vision affects the way that you engage with people, which is why a no-device policy helps cultivate good conversations over the table.
Create room for dialogue
Parents have to be genuine in their approach to strike up a conversation with their child. Create a safe space for dialogues, where they can air their grievances, express their thoughts and opinions.
Don’t just ask about their day
“Studies show that dinner is a good place to remind kids that they are part of a larger narrative—if nothing else, it puts everything goes on in their lives into perspective”
Instead of the regular day’s proceedings, ask "Do you know where your grandparents grew up?" This is a perfect time for parents to recollect personal childhood experiences or share incidents from workplace or home and encourage the kids to do the same. Ms. Shobha from Ekya Learning Centre agrees, “Over our dining table talks, I get to know so much about what kind of music my daughters listen to, what they enjoy learning, what is happening around their circles. I use this opportunity to get with the times. It is so much fun to hear from them – the latest trends and fads, the current obsessions on social media. “
To help parents get started with great dinner conversations with their children, here is a list of questions that can be quizzed over at the dining table:
How'd you sleep? Fine. How was school? Good. How much do you love me? Ugh, stop.We may not be the first generation of parents to deal with this communication breakdown, but we are the first to compete with social media and apps vying for our kid’s attention. So how we deal this breakdown? At Ekya, we explored the problem with our team, members of the Ekya Learning Centre and the teaching staff – parents of students from pre-primary to senior school and here is what we learnt.
Why Dinner
Dinner is that meal of the day when everyone comes together to break bread together. It is the perfect time for parents and children to revive the lost art of genuine conversation.
“You get one meal a day, together and this time should be used to connect with everyone in the family. I always ensure my boys are at the table with me, telling me about their day or discussing a topic of interest”, says Ms. Aruna to looks into the English curriculum at Ekya.
Why is it important to get conversations going with your kid over dinner?
Aside the one meal shared in each other’s company, the dining table is where the relationship between the child and the parent is strengthened. Speaking openly to familial audience brings out a positive outlook in the child that can potentially keep away symptoms of depression. While bringing up the opportunity of improving their vocabulary and enunciation, especially for younger kids, parents can really get a perspective into the day of their child and the events that unfold in the little one’s world.
For most parents, this concept is probably intuitive, but it turns out there's science behind it. In her bracing new book, Reclaiming Conversation, MIT psychologist Sherry Turkle explains that the rituals of dinner are "sacred." "It's around food where we relax," Turkle told us, "where we look each other in the eye and say, we're ready, we're listening”
Family Talk Jar
A set of unknown questions left to be revealed every night at the dinner table, the Conversation Jar works great, especially with little kids. A well-worded question is the quickest way to connect after a long day. It could be a topic of interest or a quirky question; these are sure shot starters that can spark deeper conversations about things that matter to your kid and you.
No Devices at the Table
To erase distractions is to cut away their source – no technology or its influence at the table. Ms. Ahlada, who leads our Computer Science curriculum at Ekya shares her dining table policies at home,
“I have a strict policy at home, during dinner. No phones, no tablets, no devices. Books are also no exceptions. No voracious reading at the dining table. Checking for emails, messages can wait for an hour”
Turkle has found that even having a phone in your peripheral vision affects the way that you engage with people, which is why a no-device policy helps cultivate good conversations over the table.
Create room for dialogue
Parents have to be genuine in their approach to strike up a conversation with their child. Create a safe space for dialogues, where they can air their grievances, express their thoughts and opinions.
Unlike exchanges with friends and classmates, dinner conversations aren't performances where kids have to worry about how their peers will react."At the family table, kids learn that all kinds of feelings are acceptable," Turkle says. Make it regular It's the ritual that's important, irrespective of what is on the menu. "Dinner happens one night, and then it happens again," Turkle says. "It has that quality most conversations don't: It's on-going. Parents need to leverage exactly this." Getting this habit started at the table requires getting used to although we should not make an ordeal out of having a conversation, as Ms. Aruna puts it, “No sermonising. Avoid making rules for the conversation, let it flow naturally. The topic at the table can be of interest to any member of the family. Participation is key, that is when everyone is involved and want to be involved because they are listened to, and not just heard.”
Don’t just ask about their day
“Studies show that dinner is a good place to remind kids that they are part of a larger narrative—if nothing else, it puts everything goes on in their lives into perspective”
Instead of the regular day’s proceedings, ask "Do you know where your grandparents grew up?" This is a perfect time for parents to recollect personal childhood experiences or share incidents from workplace or home and encourage the kids to do the same. Ms. Shobha from Ekya Learning Centre agrees, “Over our dining table talks, I get to know so much about what kind of music my daughters listen to, what they enjoy learning, what is happening around their circles. I use this opportunity to get with the times. It is so much fun to hear from them – the latest trends and fads, the current obsessions on social media. “
To help parents get started with great dinner conversations with their children, here is a list of questions that can be quizzed over at the dining table:
Leave a reply