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Parenting style matters - a lot!

The mistake that Sharon and I both made is we never set any boundaries.  (Ozzy Osbourne)

Many clinicians find it easier to tell parents their child has a brain-based disorder than suggest parenting changes. Jennifer Harris (psychiatrist)

There has been an explosion in the prescribing of medication for very young children, particularly preschool and kindergarten boys (Juli Zito , Univ. of Maryland)

The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice. (Peggy O'Mara)

Whining and crying are employed by kids for the purpose of getting something. If it works, then it was worth the effort and will be repeated.

Children do not develop on their own - they only develop within relationships.

Hurt people hurt people.

Good parenting requires sacrifice. Childhood lasts for only a few brief years , but it should be given priority while it is passing before your eyes

Some hope their children will be like sponges soaking up the truth and wisdom imparted by their parents. However appealing this philosophy might be, it seldom seems to catch on with their children.

Learn more.

Politics of Teaching Reading

 

 

Proponents of each of the 2 approaches to reading (phonics based vs whole language) maintain their approach is the “KEY” to engaging children in reading and are often critical of the other. The “whole language” group think children’s literature, writing activities and communication activities can be used across the curriculum to teach reading. The backers of “phonics” instruction insist that a direct, sequential mode of teaching reading enables students to master reading in an organized way. The debate over which system is best isn’t new. In fact the question has been argued through much of the 20th century with the pendulum regularly swinging back and forth.

Which is best?

It depends:

– some children tend to be visual learners and are more likely to benefit from the whole language approach since their strength is in recognizing words and word sequences that they have seen before. They tend to enjoy and learn from the popular literature and the peer interactions prominent in this approach.

– some children tend to be auditory learners and they learn best by what they hear so they rely more on the systematic approach of phonics.

The majority of experts now contend that neither approach by itself is effective all of the time but that both approaches possess merit. What does succeed most of the time is a carefully designed reading program that employs part whole language and part phonics and takes into account each students learning style, strengths and weaknesses.

In recent years the school system in Ontario has increased emphasis on the whole language approach and most children are experiencing success in the development of their reading skills. There are however a significant number of children where this is not the case. For some reason(s) the whole language approach is not working for them and they are falling behind their classmates in this essential skill. Unfortunate biproducts of this failure to learn reading frequently show up as:

  • behaviour problems
  • school refusal

My next posting will explain how “Reading Rescue” is addressing the problem.

  • low self esteem
  • homework problems
  • psychosomatic health problems
  • etc.

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Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

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+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

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+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

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+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

This workshop will present the facts, myths, misconceptions, controversy and […]

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Contact

2720 Rath Street, Putnam, Ontario
NOL 2BO

Phone: (519) 485-4678
Fax: (519) 485-0281

Email: info@rickharper.ca

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Parents' Comments

“Rick’s approach is so logical. He helped us clearly define the problem, analyze what has happened and select the best strategy. We now feel empowered to do something positive for our kid”

(A.N. – Tillsonburg)