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Ekya / August 11, 2022 Posted by : administrator

Strong study skills are the critical component in making the students learn faster and have more fun. So, if you are wondering as a parent, how can you help your child develop the study skills they require to achieve academic success & see benefits beyond the classroom as well? Here are the 7 tips to get started. 

  • Have Positive Attitude

Students’ performance and learning aptitude is directly influenced by parental attitudes towards education. Parents should create a positive attitude toward learning at home so that their children can learn to love learning & education. Whether it’s history, science, reading, math or even writing a story, help him and enable him to explore that learning is a journey of exciting discoveries. As your child sees the joy & excitement of learning that brings to your life, he will also get motivated and receive a positive attitude towards learning & discovering new things. 

  • Let your child know you trust them 

Create a friendly & open environment where your child can express their honest feelings, likes, dislikes and concerns. Furthermore, make sure you validate your child’s thoughts when he shares with you, even if you disagree. 

  • Create an organised routine from day 1

 Creating an organized and regular routine from day 1 for dinner-time, bed-time, play-time etc will help your child to fall into the fixed pattern and understand the time management for learning. You can use picture schedules, clocks and other routine management strategies to fix the best & optimum plan for learning. 

  • Set up a learning space 

Create an uncluttered and clean place in your home, where your child can learn & study without any interruption. Make sure the desk should contain proper stationery items, tablets or laptops in its designated workspace. You can also hang a whiteboard or bulletin board, colourful sticky notes or inspirational posters there. This designated setup will help your child to keep him motivated and engaged. 

  • Encourage different styles of learning 

Every child has different patterns & styles of learning. However, helping your child to discover his preferred learning styles and encouraging him to use a mix sometimes will improve his rate as well as the quality of learning. Generally, there are different styles of learning including verbal, physical, visual, auditory, logical (mathematical), social & solitary. For instance, children who are visual learners will learn fast & at ease while seeing how things work. On the other hand, children who are auditory learners will learn best by listening. 

P.S. For young children, it’s beneficial to explore and employ different types of learning styles. 

  • Try Game-Based Learning

Game-based learning is not at all a new concept, yet a great addition for parents and teachers to embrace knowledge and motivate children to learn. Using fun-learning games as an education tool provides numerous advantages including opportunities for deeper learning and the development of non-cognitive skills. 

  • Teach them learning, memorizing and taking break techniques 

Lastly, but not least, teach them innovative learning methodologies and help them to memorize the facts & figures. Make sure you are involved completely in your child’s learning styles & cultivating the unique learning methods & strategies for your child. Moreover, help them to plan their study schedule to get enough space for other subjects as well as for extra-curricular activities. Taking a 10 to 15 minutes break after every one hour can do wonders in keeping your child more productive and focused. 

Summing Up! 

We, at Ekya Schools, focus on the method of “Live the Lesson”, which helps our students to know what to learn and how to learn. Our experiential learning methodologies aid our students to excel in every field irrespective of the board they choose in the senior programme.

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Ekya / April 03, 2024

The Power of Learning with Intent: A Guide to Purposeful Education

In a world brimming with information, the art of learning has evolved beyond the mere acquisition of facts. Learning with intent, a deliberate approach to education emphasises quality over quantity, depth over breadth, and purpose over passive absorption. It’s about cultivating a mindset that transforms knowledge into meaningful action and empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern age effectively.

At its core, learning with intent involves setting clear objectives and actively engaging with the subject matter. Whether exploring a new language, delving into scientific principles, or honing a creative skill, intentionality infuses each learning endeavour with purpose and direction. As Albert Einstein aptly said, "The only source of knowledge is experience." This quote amplifies the importance of active participation and hands-on learning, highlighting that true understanding arises from deliberate engagement with the material.

Furthermore, engaging actively with the material is paramount. Embrace challenges and embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. This proactive approach not only deepens your understanding but also cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in any field.

Moreover, learning with intent emphasises relevance and applicability. Seek out opportunities to apply newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice. By contextualising learning within your personal or professional sphere, you enhance its significance and utility, making it more likely to stick.

In conclusion, learning with intent is a transformative approach that transcends traditional notions of education. By setting clear objectives, engaging actively, prioritising relevance, and fostering a growth mindset, individuals can harness the full potential of learning to achieve their goals and thrive in an ever-changing world. So, embark on your learning journey with purpose, and let each lesson propel you towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.

By Sweta Pradeep Rao

Senior English Educator

Ekya School JP Nagar

Ekya / April 02, 2024

Gadget-free Summer Break

With summer vacation around, I urge parents to explore various ways to facilitate children to make healthy choices during their vacation time.

Last week, when we asked our Early Years to visualise their characters and create a story, most of them came up with stories about ghosts and monsters attacking others.  When we had conversations about what gave them this idea, we understood that these story ideas emanated from their online games. While gaming per se develops specific skills and requires focus, it also stifles the imagination of young children. Since it is visually appealing, children tend to remember those images in their heads all the time.

I often see parents providing very young children (1 year to 3 year olds)  with gadgets as the means to keep children engaged and entertained. I see children watching phones in the waiting areas of clinics, hospitals, school lobbies and banks.

This brings us to a fundamental question “ Should children be engaged by parents all the time?” Not necessarily. What is likely to happen if children were not handed over gadgets at the waiting lounges? What would they do? Some of them may cry, some may throw a loud tantrum, and some may crib. If parents show resilience and allow children to settle down themselves, they will soon find ways to keep themselves engaged. Likewise, during summer vacation. What if this is a “no gadget” vacation and parents do not take up the responsibility to engage their children? What would children do? How can parents show resilience here and facilitate children to make healthy choices? I leave the readers with this thought for this summer vacation.

Mathangi R,

Head of School,

Ekya NICE Road.

Ekya / April 02, 2024

The Eye of the Storm

In the hushed embrace of an Indian evening, our journey began, a symphony of anticipation orchestrated by the hum of jet engines and the flutter of boarding passes. The promise of adventure beckoned from distant shores as we boarded our flight bound for the United Kingdom, our hearts aflutter with dreams of far-off lands and newfound horizons. But as we soared through the velvet sky, a foreboding shadow loomed on the horizon, a harbinger of the chaos that was soon to unfold. In the blink of an eye, the tranquil serenity of our airborne sanctuary was shattered by a deafening crack, a burst of purple lightning that danced across the heavens with an otherworldly fervour. The air crackled with electricity as the plane shuddered beneath the force of the storm, its metal frame quivering in defiance against the tempestuous onslaught. And then, in a heart-stopping moment of sheer terror, the heavens unleashed their fury upon us, casting our fragile vessel into a maelstrom of chaos and uncertainty. The sky darkened to a shade of ominous charcoal as the winds howled with a primal ferocity, tearing at the wings of our faltering craft with savage intent. The cabin was awash with panicked cries and frantic prayers as we clung to our seats with white-knuckled desperation, each passing moment stretching into eternity.

And then, as if mocking our feeble attempts at control, the plane tilted almost 180 degrees, its nose plummeting towards the earth with a sickening lurch. Time seemed to stand still as we hurtled towards the ground, our fate hanging in the balance as the world spun wildly out of control. But just when all hope seemed lost, a glimmer of salvation emerged from the chaos, a beacon of light amidst the encroaching darkness. With a mighty roar, the engines surged to life once more, their thunderous symphony drowning out the cacophony of the storm as we clawed our way back from the brink of oblivion. As the storm clouds parted and the sun cast its golden rays upon the horizon, we emerged battered but unbroken, our spirits buoyed by the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. And though our journey had been fraught with peril and uncertainty, we emerged from the crucible of the skies stronger and more resilient than ever before. For in the crucible of adversity, we discovered the true measure of our strength, our courage, and our unwavering determination to defy the odds and chart our course through the tempestuous seas of life. As we touched down on solid ground once more, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the world around us, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul.

Arjun Narasimhan Kuppuswamy

Grade 8C

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#ELCBlog: Making Language Learning Visible In Early Years By, Dr Pooja Maggu Instructional Designer, Early Years, Ekya Learning Centre, Ekya Schools

Making Language Learning Visible In Early Years

 What makes an environment conducive to learning a language? How is language learning made visible?

 The Ekya Early Years classroom supports language development. All classrooms have an in-class library with various reading resources and displays encouraging communication, expression, creative imagination, and collaboration. It is through interaction with teachers and peers that language develops. Besides the physical space, the curriculum allows students to interact and collaborate with peers. Teachers document all student work to tell us what and how they learn. Collecting student work also helps us see how skills and language development occur over time.

 Reading is encouraged in the Early Years classroom. Let’s take a peek into the Ekya Early Years classroom, and see how language learning is made visible. The Early Years environment engages students meaningfully. The classroom spaces have multiple learning corners- The Reading Nook and The Writer’s Right, which support language learning.

In addition to these spaces, large bulletin boards display all students’ work related to language.

               

Students read storybooks, look closely at the cover pictures and the pictures inside the book, and connect with the text they read. When students read and re-read stories, they are repeatedly exposed to words in context, strengthening their vocabulary.

Storybooks and Storytelling provide an engaging and authentic way of embedding language besides being fun! Listening to stories and telling stories are opportunities for practicing the language. It is an effective way through which students develop grammar and narration skills. Students listen closely to their teachers reading aloud and learn to use gestures and facial expressions with proper intonation and voice modulation. An essential aspect of these sessions is promoting deep conversations around the story. Students share their thoughts, feelings, opinions, and perspectives with their peers and teachers. Students practice language concepts while reading a storybook. Most children use words from the story in daily situations and conversations with their teachers and peers. Teachers are mindful when introducing new vocabulary and use those words to strengthen students' growing vocabulary.

 The puppets in the Reading Nook provide students opportunities to practice language skills. See how students use puppets as tools to retell stories to their peers. They retell a story in their own words, using words from the storybook and adding familiar words.

Here are some images from the activity where students retell the story- Where is my bat?

               

The Storybook- ‘Where is my bat?’ introduces students to positional words.  In the pictures above, the child is sharing puppets of the boy and the door. The child explains, “The boy is behind the door” and “the bat is behind the door”. The teachers continued to use these words through daily conversations with students to strengthen their vocabulary!

The language wall is used extensively and captures the essence of the language program. The words you see in the bulletin board image are from the story, ‘Where is my bat?’ and are gradually woven into the lesson so that students in class develop association skills while reading the book. Students' work is displayed in the form of worksheets on these boards as well.

Instead of introducing these words randomly, the teachers work with students to identify and extract the familiar words from the story. This enables students to see terms used in context, and in turn, they tend to remember and use them more often.

They are encouraged to look at the words and images frequently and construct words and new sentences using their knowledge. Finally, students illustrate the entire story by defining the setting, characters, events, and the different print concepts they learned in the story.

Here is an example of a student inspired by a story- ‘Where is my bat?’. Reading this gave the student context to explore his writing ideas. The student illustrates and adds his title, ‘Where is my flying car?’

At Ekya Schools, we provide students with a language-rich and print-rich environment. To summarise, the program has an excellent focus on reading, print awareness, building vocabulary, and using language meaningfully in everyday situations. The curriculum ensures that students are given repeated exposure to language concepts in different contexts, with careful progression.

Students get multiple opportunities to communicate and express themselves, which is instrumental in building essential language skills and social skills for life through peer play and interactions.

Here are simple ways to encourage your children to appreciate language outside the school environment:

  1.  Read to your child daily: Give children exposure to as many books as possible. For example, have a reading nook at home. Read books. Let your children see you reading books and newspapers. Seeing you read books will encourage them to read on their own. When you are shopping for books, allow them to choose books independently.

Encourage sharing of books with friends in the neighborhood. Create a small reading community. You could also create a list of books you read with your child and share them with others.

  1. Appreciate language in the environment: Encourage children to look at billboards and signages. If you go to a department or grocery store, encourage children to read the signs and symbols they see around them. Make a list of ingredients with them in advance if you know what you will see and get them to locate things in the store. Let children know there is language everywhere and engage with words around.

Dr. Pooja Maggu

Instructional Designer, Early Years

Ekya Learning Centre.

A Beginner’s Guide on How to Develop A Reading Habit For Our Kid

Reading is one of the most vital skills that children need to develop in order to achieve lifelong success. However, the bitter truth is that today kids prefer to watch TV and spend most of the time on mobile phones, laptops and tablets. The reason is simple, today's generations of parents don’t focus on how to encourage good reads in their child's daily routine. 

Getting Your Child Interested in Reading 

Reading tremendously enhances the children’s brain development, develops their language skills, and increases memory retention and concentration. The sooner you introduce them to books, the easier it is to instill reading as a habit. Parents should be encouraged to take necessary steps to help motivate their tiny tots for becoming rampant readers from a younger age.  Incorporating the habit of reading in children can be a challenging task for many parents. Isn’t it so? If yes, here are some of the tips you might find useful for encouraging your child to be a bookworm. 

Tips to Encourage Good Reading Habits in Kids

  • Create A Reading Area
Good reading habits start from home. One of the best ways to nurture a love for reading in a child is to create a designated reading space in your home. It isn’t necessary to be huge or have a lot of bookshelves but can be a tiny little corner equipped with lots of good reads that your child will love. Make it cosy for reading by bringing up a cosy chair with some pillows and can also put other necessary things that will help your child to enjoy curling up while reading their favourite book. 
  • Start at an early age 
Start cultivating the habit of reading stories, bedtime stories at an early age like after 1 year. This will foster imagination power, exposure to learning new words & help develop reading habits in kids in near future. Invest in some good short stories or board books and read them to your child whenever you both have quality free time. 
  • Set An Example
Be an avid reader yourself and read in front of your child as much as you can to instill a love of reading in your child. Children observe and follow the behaviors of adults in their lives. Whether you prefer reading magazines, books, newspapers or any other reading materials, what’s important is to make your child realize that you love reading and learning new things. Hence, try to set a good example for your child. 
  • Make a mini library
Providing a mini library with a vast array of reading materials to your child can help in developing the interest in reading. Surround them with all types of books including comics, magazines, sci-fiction books, and other sorts of reading materials so that the child can easily pick their interest. This will help demonstrate that reading doesn’t have to be limited to just academic books or in the classroom. Rather, they’ll see that reading is actually fun, entertaining and can be a great hobby. 
  • Discuss What Your Child Is Reading
Discuss the book he is reading, ask him the relevant questions like what has happened so far, what do you think will happen next etc. The more you ask questions to your kid, the more his love of reading will grow. 
  • Expose Your Child To Different Book Genres
Don’t limit your child to reading only a single author or one genre of books. Encourage your toddler to select and read different types of genres of books such as mystery, comic books etc to expand their knowledge and boost their level of interest in reading.  Developing positive reading habits can benefit your child in numerous ways. Partner with the best school in Bangalore, Ekya Schools, which is focused on building the reading & learning skills of their students. This will surely help your child to grow well and become a better citizen of tomorrow.

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