Rosie Corriette

Notes from a retired blogger

Author: Rosie

  • How to Become the Best Teacher for Your Students

    How to Become the Best Teacher for Your Students

    There is no such thing as a perfect teacher. Every educator will make mistakes throughout their career, even if they have many years’ experience under their belt. It is vital to identify your shortcomings in the classroom, so you can develop a teaching style that is the best fit for your students.

    While it might not be possible to help every child reach their potential, there are things you can do to grow professionally. Here is how to become the best teacher for your students.

    Woman wearing watch and green dress, holding green apple with sunlight streaming in

    Support Don’t Shout

    If you notice a change in a student’s attitude or a decline in their grades, you should not be in a hurry to chastise them for their rude or lazy behaviour. Rather than shouting at a student, try to provide them with as much support possible. Every student can experience bad days, stress and even depression, so try to find out how they are feeling whilst pushing them to perform better.

    Continue Your Education

    Lead by example by continually learning and improving with Fresno Pacific University Continuing Education courses, which can effectively expand your skillset and can work around your busy schedule. Not only can this help you to develop professionally and provide students with the best possible education, but the qualifications could also help to increase your salary.

    Teach in Different Ways

    Each student is uniquein their own right and will respond differently to various learning materials. Educators must aim to teach topics in different ways to increase engagement and knowledge. For example, you can use books, music, presentations, speeches, videos and infographics.

    You should then make a note of which student responds positively or negatively to a material, so you can identify their different learning styles. You will then know the best way to support their education, which can help them achieve their desired grades and reach their goals.

    Set Objectives Each Lesson

    Great teachers understand the importance of setting objectives in the classroom. At the start of each lesson, state clearly what your students will learn today, so they will understand the tasks they need to complete during class. A step-by-step plan could also avoid confusion, so students will know exactly what they need to do and when they need to do it.

    Believe in Every Student

    The easy option is to give up on a student who is not interested in a subject or cannot grasp the material, and help the ones who show an interest in a topic. If you want to be the best possible teacher to your students, you must believe in every person who walks into your classroom. Not only should you not give up on them, but you must encourage them not to give up on themselves. For example, if they are struggling with a topic, ask them to explain what they don’t understand. Your support and belief could be enough to encourage a student to work harder and ask for help when needed.

    Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

  • How You Can Help Your Child Buy Their First Car

    How You Can Help Your Child Buy Their First Car

    Children grow up far too quickly. One moment they can barely crawl, and the next moment they have passed their driver’s test! Rather than try to hold on to their childhood, help them prepare for adulthood in as many ways as you can. Helping them buy their own car, for example, is an excellent way that you can help your child become independent and responsible.

     

    Why Your Child Should Buy Their OwnCar

    There are many reasons why helping your child buy their own car, rather than allowing them to use your own, is a great idea. With that in mind, however, you don’t want to let them try to buy their first car on their own. You need to help guide them so that they choose a vehicle that has enough safety features, and is priced right so that they can stay safe on the roads. One of the key parts to buying their owncar include the fact that they will need a job to pay for it. Thisis another key step to becoming an independent, self-sufficient adult, and it can help give your child the leg-up they need in life.

    two pairs of girls legs leaning against a pink car

    Reasons why they should be the ones who buy the car include:

    • Increased personal responsibility
    • Increased financial responsibility
    • Improved credit score for future purchases

     

    How to Help Them Choose the Right Make and Model

    To help them make a good decision, you will need to help guide them. It might be tempting for them to buy an old vehicle that they can purchase outright. Chances are, however, that a vehicle that cheap has many issues and safety defaults. A car that was top of the line twenty years ago will not hold up in terms ofsafety features today. Not to mention how much mileage a car like that would have. You want to help your child choose a make and model that is both safe and will last a long time. If they can drive that car for the next ten years or more, then they will have made a great investment.

     

    Choosing the Right Loan for Them

    To afford a car that is both dependable and full of safety features, you need to do two things. One, you need to save up for the down payment and two, you need to find a great loan. Some great car loan tips include saving up at least 20% of the down payment, getting pre-approved, and always negotiating before you settle on the final price. The less you have to pay overall, the better your loan and the further their savings will go. If you want to help them financially, a great idea is to halve the cost with them. Have your child save half of the down payment, and you pay the rest. Have them pay half of the monthly repayment cost, and then you pay the rest. Everything will have to be through their name so that they can build their credit score, but with you backing them you can offer both the lenders and your child the security they need.

     

    When your child has their owncar that is in their name and that they are financially responsible for, they will be more careful drivers. They know the worth of the car and how much effort it takes to be able to afford it. This helps them drive safer and prepare for adulthood.

     

    Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

  • Say Hello To The Brand New McDonalds’s Happy Meal

    McDonald’s Happy Meals are a bastion of childhood, I remember the old Ronald McDonald birthday parties and a trip to McDonald’s is still a guaranteed crowd pleaser for Boo and her friends. Like all treats a McDonald’s Happy Meal is perfect in moderation; however McDonald’s are constantly looking at ways to improve the offering both for children int the variety and taste stakes and for parents by ticking the nutritional boxes.

    McDonald’s have been working with Mumsnet for over a year to help develop their Happy Meal and after talking to over 1,000 mumsnetters it was clear that a grilled chicken option was wanted. Say hello to the brand new grilled chicken wrap now available in a Happy Meal.

    We were invited along to McDonald’s for an afternoon of family fun and of course to try out the new Happy Meal. The grilled chicken wrap comes with lettuce and ketchup and was a real hit with Boo who already loves the existing chicken wrap.

    In a first for McDonald’s Happy Meals, the wrap is fully customisable after 93% mumsnetters said  they wanted to be able to customise their kids’ meal. Parents can add cucumber, onion and pickle free of charge with tomato also available for 20p. 

    You might remember earlier this year I worked with McDonald’s to showcase their ‘meals under’ range and it’s this level of customising and smart options available that demonstrate how McDonald’s are listening to parents and customers.

    You can watch the video here…

    We had a great afternoon with McDonalds’s and as you cans see from Boo’s face the most important part of a Happy Meal to children – the box and toy – is most definitely here to stay.

    Mother and daughter smile and posing with McDonald's Happy Meal

    The McDonald’s Happy Meal Grilled Chicken wrap is available nationwide now – let me know what you think if you try it out.

    Disclosure: This is a collaboration with McDonald’s, a fee was received for my time.

  • Co-parenting: A Guide

    Co-parenting involves raising children as a single parent after separation or divorce, and it is also sometimes referred to as joint or shared parenting.

     

    Emotionally taxing and stressful, divorce can be a difficult process to experience. From coping with the intense emotions that come with it as well as managing financial and family matters, it may feel like everything is out of your control. But when it comes to child custody and co-parenting, there are many things you can do to help make this transition as stress-free as possible for both yourself and your children.

     

    Photo by David Straight on Unsplash

    Communication is key.

    Whether this is through regular phone calls, emails, text messages or face-to-face meetings, make sure to keep open communication with your co-parent. Discuss things thoroughly to avoid needless accusation and miscommunication. Not only will this make the situation easier for the both of you, but it can also be vital for your child growing up.

     

    Likewise, be as communicative with your children. Listen to them. Rather than judging and dictating their feelings, acknowledge that they too are affected by this separation. Let them know that their current feelings are valid but that these are temporary. Time will heal. Make sure they know that you will always be there to support them.

     

    Agree on rules at both households.

    Consistency is key, and even if the children complain, routine and structure are needed for day to day life. Things like mealtimes,bedtimes and chores, as well as time for homework, must be agreed on in both households. Not only will this mean that your children will have a comfortable routine to follow but it also provides a sense of security in a period of uncertainty.

     

    Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

    With the challenges of divorce and the emotional rollercoaster it brings, there may be things that are new and unknown to you. Whether this is handling family matters or how best to deal with the financial side of separation, don’t forget that you can ask for help. If the stress of the divorce is affecting your emotions, try consulting a counselloror joining support groups. Having someone to talk to or a safe place where you can share your experiences will do great things for your mental health and may even give you a new perspective on the situation.

     

    Seeking the help of a solicitor in your area when it comes to the Family Proceedings court may be a good idea, andyou can find family law solicitors in Slough through a simple search or have friends and family refer you to suggestions. The important thing to remember is that you are never alone and asking for help is not something to be ashamed of, but instead,something to be encouraged.

     

    Don’t expose children to conflict.

    Your children will also be affected by the divorce, but that does not mean they must be burdened with the challenges it brings. Whether it be emotionally-driven issues with your co-parent or past troubles, keep negative talk at a minimum. This will not only make it worse between you and your co-parent but will expose your children to developmental issues that may lead to feelings of insecurity in the future.

     

    Encourage your children to spend time with their extended family like grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins on both sides of the family. This will help your children’s sociability and also instill a sense of belonging. When talking about your co-parent, make sure you never point fingers or place them under a negative light.

     

    Separation can be tough on both parents and children, but with a few pointers and things to keep in mind, you can make this transition and time of uncertainty as easier for both parties as possible.

     

    Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

  • Guiding Your Children Through a Separation

    Guiding Your Children Through a Separation

    Throughout life, things are going to happen which you had not planned on, and that are often out of your control. Separating from a partner is never something you expect to happen in your life, but sometimes things just work out differently than you thought they would. Separation can already be a very difficult time in a person’s life, but it is made all the more complicated when you share children with the person you are separating from. Supporting your children through this time will be difficult, but there are some simple steps you can take to make sure they know they are loved and valued no matter what happens within their parent’s relationship.

    Photo by Brian Gordillo on Unsplash

    Be as honest as possible

    Some children will grasp the concept of their parent’s separation a lot better than others, and often that is mostly down to their age and maturity. However, no matter the age of your child, if they are old enough to understand that a hugelife change is occurring, then it’s important to try and explain to them as best as you can that you are separating, and what that means. Try to agree with your ex-partner on how best to explain what is going on to your children, as the more consistent you are, the better they are going to grasp what is going on, and the more at ease they are going to feel.

     

    Seek advice and support

    During this stressful time, you don’t have to deal with everything alone. You can seek out advice and support from professionals who can help you find the best path through this change, such as counsellors to support both you and your children. You may also want to look into getting the best legal advice possible (for example, look into Crisp & Co Solicitors ) as going through a separation with children involved can sometimes be difficult to navigate.

     

    You may want to get the support of children’s teachers, and let any other professionals in their lives know what is happening, to ensure everyone around your children can be understanding and supportive.

     

    Try not to show bias

    You may blame your partner for your separation, or be feeling a lot of negative emotions towards them during this time, however,it is vital that you try not to pass these feelings onto your children. This is going to be a difficult time in their lives, and they are going to be looking for security and unity between their parents to let them know that everything is okay. Children are very susceptible to influence, especially at a younger age, and they may feel personally hurt if they hear you talking negatively about your ex-partner. Seeing that two people who are no longer in a relationship can still cooperate together will also be a good life lesson for your children, and reassure them that things will continue to be okay.

     

    Remind them they’re loved

    Of course, this pretty much goes without saying, but this is the most important message you can get across to your children. Sometimes during a parental separation, some children can feel a little out of place, and they can be left very uncertain. Therefore, it is importantto remind them that they are always loved (by both of you) and make it clear that they are not being abandoned during this difficult time.

     

    Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.