<

>

  A small group of parents at Eastfield Lower School are taking part in a Government Initiative, which promotes shared learning. The ten-week course covers all aspects of learning with young children.
  The children are mainly from Receptions 1 & 2 although parents and children from Class 3 were also given the opportunity to join.
Our group of parents have looked at games and the things our children learn from playing games.

They each designed a game, either for or with their child, and in the afternoon session the children took turns at playing all the games. Everyone had lots of fun.
Our group also learns to develop skills of their own that, in turn, are used to aid the children's learning. In the next few weeks the group will be looking at Spelling Games, Story Writing and Reading, Imaginative Play and Puppet Theatre. At the end of the course the group, parents and children will be putting up a display.

Whilst the parents are with their tutor, Joan Lochmuller, the children work as a small group with Mrs Gibson. In just four weeks the children have progressed quickly. Their writing skills, reading skills and matching skills are coming along really well.

It isn't all hard work; the parents have the opportunity to make and colour things and generally have lots of fun.
Hopefully, there will be another 10-week course after Easter, allowing another group of parents and children to benefit from what has become a valuable experience for both the parents and children.

Ellen Hackett