family

In the Land of the Northern Lights
29
Apr

In the Land of the Northern Lights

By admin commentsSámi, northern lights, aurora borealis, culture, mythology, Revontuli, Fox Fire, Sápmi, reindeer, language, heritage, family, stories, bilingual books, samiska, guovssahat

How do you explore languages and cultural differences in your classroom? It's often through looking at cultures we perceive as "different" that we discover things we all have in common. This week we look at the northern lights in mythology, but you can also take the time to talk about what causes the northern lights with your class from a scientific perspective. 

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Become a 'perfect' parent by stopping trying to be one
21
Apr

Become a 'perfect' parent by stopping trying to be one

By admin commentsfamily, parenting, pressure, stress, achievement, children, patience, understanding, insight, self-care, trust, instinct, what works for you

Are you a parent feeling under pressure to do everything ‘right’? Do you feel your children ‘should’ be more developed in certain areas? Do you think they are behind compared to other children?
You are not alone. These thoughts and feelings are more common than you may think.
 
While I totally understand where they come from, have you ever paused and asked yourself: ‘What really is the right thing to do?’ ‘Who determines what is right and what is wrong?’

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Ramadan Begins!
12
Apr

Ramadan Begins!

By admin commentsRamadan, Eid al-Fitr, celebration, fasting, suhur, iftar, traditions, culture, bilingual book, family, رَمَضَان, Ramazan, prayer, reflection, Eid ul-Fitr, عيد الفطر, new moon, cresent moon, Mecca, Muslim celebration, mosque, Muslim tradition, Samira's Eid, Enebor Attard, Nasreen Aktar, children's book, books about Ramadan, picture book

Today marks the 2021 beginning of Ramadan, an important celebration to Muslims across the world. 

Illustration from Samira's Eid by Enebor Attard, a landscape in the night with a crescent moon and a house

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9 Benefits of Reading to Children
08
Apr

9 Benefits of Reading to Children

By admin commentsreading, bilingual, books, children, benefits, education, learning, vocabulary, language, bonding, fun, Bookstart, Early Years, literacy, oracy, family, books for kids

Have you ever wondered how reading benefits your children?
The study by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in State Government Victoria shows that there is an important role for parents in the development and educational performance of their children.
 

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How to help your bilingual child speak your first language
24
Mar

How to help your bilingual child speak your first language

By admin commentsbilingual, first language, parent, native, mother tongue, family, non-native, child, learning, encouraging, tips, tricks, motivation, watch, read, compete, translate, travel

I moved to the UK from Slovakia 8 years ago.
 
Our boys were born three years later.
 
Although I knew that English would always be their first language, I wanted them to speak Slovak too. It was unimaginable not having my children speak my first language.
 
While they were small and spent most of the time with me, it was not a problem. At one point, they even spoke more Slovak than English.
 

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Ten Tips to Help Your Child Adjust to Life in a New Country
17
Mar

Ten Tips to Help Your Child Adjust to Life in a New Country

By admin commentsfamily, moving, countries, new home, strange place, adjusting, new school, bilingual, top tips, new friends

Are you moving abroad?
 
Moving is a big deal, even if you're just moving across town, let alone if you are moving to a new country.
 
You have to think of so many things. You have to work out where to shop, how the transport works, where to find what you need, where to go for family days out. The life you know is gone and you have to re-create everything from scratch again.
 
Not easy at all!

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