Tag: education

Categories
Education

Twinkl Back-to-School Hub: Ignite Learning Magic for an A+ Adventure!

Hey parents, teachers, and little learners! 🌟 Are you ready to sprinkle some educational magic into this year’s back-to-school routine? 🚀✨ Look no further than Twinkl – your ultimate partner in making learning a joyous adventure! 🌈🎒

Having fun learning with Twinkl

🔗 Check out Twinkl’s Back-to-School Hub for a treasure trove of resources that will turn the ordinary into extraordinary! 🎉📘

Why Twinkl? 🌟

1️⃣ Whiz-Bang Resources: Twinkl’s got a backpack full of resources for every grade, subject, and learning style. From vibrant worksheets to interactive games, they’ve got the golden ticket to engage young minds!

2️⃣ Teachers’ Pet (Literally!): Calling all teachers – Twinkl is your classroom companion! With lesson plans, activity packs, and vibrant displays, you’ll be the superhero of the school year.

3️⃣ Parent Power-Up: Mums and Dads, get ready to be your child’s learning hero! Twinkl offers at-home activities, printables, and fun games – making homework a breeze and bonding time a blast.

4️⃣ A+ Variety: Whether your little one is a math whiz, a budding artist, or a future scientist, Twinkl caters to all interests. Learning has never been this diverse and delightful!

Navigate the Hub like a Pro! 🧭

📖 Storyland Corner: Dive into the magical world of storytelling with Twinkl’s enchanting tales. Perfect for bedtime or an afternoon escape!

🧠 Brainy Buddies: Meet the Brainy Buddies – your child’s animated study companions! They make learning fun and keep boredom at bay.

🎨 Arty Avenue: Unleash your child’s creativity on Arty Avenue! From crafts to colouring, this is the perfect spot for little Picassos.

🎤 Show and Tell Square: Time to showcase those new skills! Share your child’s accomplishments in the Show and Tell Square and watch the applause roll in.

Grab everything you need at the Twinkl Back to School Hub

📢 Extra! Extra! Read All About It! 📰

Twinkl is not just a platform; it’s a community! Share your back-to-school adventures, discoveries, and triumphs on social media using #TwinklBackToSchool. Let’s create a buzz of positivity, inspiration, and support as we embark on this exciting academic journey together! 🌈🚀

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the back-to-school extravaganza with Twinkl and let the learning festivities begin! 🎊👩‍🏫📏 #TwinklMagic #BackToSchoolJoy

Perfect resources for parents and teachers – all at the Twinkl back to school hub

Ready to sprinkle some educational pixie dust into your teaching and parenting routines?

Our recent blog post, ‘5 Reasons Why You Need Twinkl Membership,’ is your golden ticket to a world of delightful learning adventures! Picture this: a hub filled with vibrant lesson plans, engaging activities, and a community of fellow learners and educators cheering you on. With a Twinkl membership, say goodbye to educational woes and hello to an enchanting journey where teaching and learning become a joyous collaboration. Dive into the post, grab your popcorn, and discover why Twinkl is the secret ingredient for turning ordinary moments into extraordinary milestones in your academic adventure! 🚀📚

Sign up for my newsletter

Stay current with all the things that are happening on Mummy to Twins Plus One. Don’t miss a thing by signing up for my newsletter. This newsletter will list all giveaways and fabulous things that are happening.

This post contains affiliate links.

Categories
Education

Celebrate Nursery Rhyme Week with Twinkl!

Hey diddle diddle, it’s that time of year!
World Nursery Rhyme Week is finally near!
From November 11th to the 15th, get set—
There’s fun and learning you won’t forget!

🎉 What’s the Buzz About? 🎉
Nursery rhymes aren’t just a sing-song delight,
They’re the building blocks for kids, that’s right!
Phonics, counting, spelling—oh my!
These rhymes help little minds soar high.
From “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,”
To the “Wheels on the Bus,” anything goes!

🌟 Join the Rhyme A Day Challenge! 🌟
Five rhymes, five days—such a treat!
With songs and games that can’t be beat.
Twinkl’s got you covered, from crafts to play,
Download your resources and brighten your day!
Make puppets for “Hickory Dickory Dock,”
Or sing along and watch the clock tick-tock.
You can create, explore, and even pretend,
With Twinkl’s ideas, the fun never ends!

✨ Why Nursery Rhymes? ✨
Not just for toddlers—they’re for everyone,
From parents to teachers, let’s join the fun!
Kids learn while singing, dancing, and playing,
It’s magic in action, there’s no delaying!
Language and numbers come to life,
Nursery rhymes cut through learning strife.

So, how will you celebrate? Don’t miss a beat—
With Twinkl’s resources, your week’s complete! 🎨

Categories
News

5 Reasons why you need Twinkl membership

I’m a Twinkl Ambassador

I’m so excited and proud to announce that I am a Twinkl Ambassador….yep what great news. As a parent, I am passionate about kids’ education and anything that I can do to support my children I am doing. This is why I love the tools and resources that Twinkl offers to allow all children to thrive in their educational journey.

What is Twinkl?

Twinkl is a resource for teachers and parents. They have resources that support all levels from Kindy to High School that is aligned to the Australian Curriculum.

Twinkl is an online educational resource platform that provides a wide range of educational resources, activities, and lesson plans for children of all ages. It was founded in the UK in 2010, and since then, it has expanded to serve educators and parents around the world, including Australia.

Here is an overview of the foundation to year 2 level on Twinkl – So many resources available.
I am very proud and excited to be a Twinkl Abassador
Treasure words and Fake Words Phonics Game

Why Twinkl membership is a must

Here are some ways Twinkl can help parents support their children at school, as well as how it helps teachers and homeschooling parents:

  1. Educational Resources: Twinkl offers a vast library of educational resources that align with the Australian Curriculum, from kindergarten to high school. Parents can access materials that cover a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, science, English, and social studies, to support their child’s learning at home.

  2. Printable Worksheets: Twinkl provides printable worksheets that parents can use to help their child practice their skills at home. These worksheets cover a range of topics and are designed to be engaging and fun for children.

  3. Interactive Activities: Twinkl offers a range of interactive activities that parents can use to engage their children in learning. These activities include games, quizzes, and puzzles that help children learn while having fun.

  4. Lesson Plans: Twinkl has a variety of lesson plans for teachers that cover a range of topics and subjects. Parents who are homeschooling their children can also use these lesson plans to structure their child’s learning.

  5. Homeschooling Resources: Twinkl offers a range of resources for parents who are homeschooling their children. These resources include lesson plans, worksheets, and activities that are designed specifically for homeschooling families.

Twinkl is a valuable resource for parents who want to support their child’s learning at school, as well as for teachers and homeschooling parents. With its extensive library of resources, printable worksheets, interactive activities, lesson plans, and homeschooling resources, Twinkl provides a comprehensive solution for parents who want to help their children succeed academically.

Sign up for my newsletter

Stay current with all the things that are happening on Mummy to Twins Plus One. Don’t miss a thing by signing up for my newsletter.

This post has affiliate links

Categories
Creative

Make a Paper Chain Calendar

This post was provided by Education.com

Young kids usually have only a vague sense of time. They probably know that an hour is longer than ten minutes, and a week is shorter than a month, but it’s difficult for them to gauge time’s passing.

Making a paper chain calendar can help them learn this valuable math skill.

What You Need:

  • Calendar
  • 3” x 8” strips of colored construction paper
  • Glue

Make a Paper Chain Calendar
Make a Paper Chain Calendar

What You Do:

  1. Pick a date in the future that has some meaning for your child, for example, the first day of school, the date a relative is set to come visit, a birthday, or the start date of a favorite activity, like soccer. Ideally, the date should be about a month away.
  2. Pull out your calendar, and with your child’s help, count the number of days until the event you’ve chosen.
  3. Give your child the construction paper strips and explain that each strip stands for one day. Together, count out the correct number of strips (one for each day until your event), then help your child make a paper chain, by gluing the end of each strip together to form a link, then adding the rest of the links to form a “chain”.
  4. Hang your chain in your child’s room, or in a prominent place. Each day, allow her to remove one link from the chain. As the days pass, this will give her a visual picture to associate with the numbers she sees on the calendar.
  5. Not only does this provide a concrete image for the passing of time, but it gives your child a great excuse to practice counting backwards!

 




A big thank you to Education.com for this creative way to help kids learn. If you have not checked out their website make sure you stop by. Education.com have excellent resources to help your kids be super clever.

Categories
Family

Super Mum Hacks to Stay Productive While At Home

Cancelled plans,

Kids at home,

Homeschooling,

and

Mum needs to work and be left alone… so how do you balance everything when everyone is at home and YOU never get left alone????

Here are some super mum hacks that will help you out and ones that are favourites of BigW too.

 

Maths class 

 

Schools out for the Easter holidays, but it is still important to establish a routine, not just for working from home, but also for your kids. Keeping the kids educated and entertained during this challenging time is key and reminding them that daily chores are still on the agenda is important. So grab a Dry Erase Board, some Monopoly money and some tasty snacks and get those kiddies working for their maths class – trading chores for treats!  

After paying for snacks with Monopoly money the kids will be experts in: counting change, knowing if they have enough for a certain snack and how much money they have left.

If you are after a good way to help kids learn more about Money then Spriggy is helpful to teach kids about financial literacy. My kids love their Spriggy cards and I’m sure you will too!

 

 

Art class 

Whether you’re a rookie or a WFH veteran, creating structure and ensuring productivity is important. Setting up space in your home where you exclusively work and commit to working from each day, will make you more productive. So now you have found somewhere quiet, with a door and the least amount of distractions (including mess), grab some tape and large pieces of chalk and get the kid’s creative flares sparked with a DIY art class. 

Get some great deals on Art & craft supplies for kids

Keeping kids occupied with art or a creative project will keep them happy and allow you to get some work done too.

More Creative Ideas For Kids:

 

English class 

 

It is important to plan your daily breaks when WFH. With kids needing to be constantly entertained, fed and watered – even Mum needs a break sometimes. Sitting the kids in front of the TV whilst you take some time out never felt so educational (and entertaining) – simply switch on the mute button and chuck on some subtitles. Welcome to Mum’s English class kids!

 

Physical Education 

 

While Super Mum’s navigate the new world of isolation and working alongside their kids 24/7, it’s still important to keep moving and remain active. While you may love going for a run or setting up some time for a yoga sesh, watch the kids stay active and learn how to ride a bike, sharing a little #fitspo-lation to other Mum’s these holidays. 

My kids just love their Vuly Trampoline and have fun Boucin’ Around: A Fun Way to Keep Your Kids Occupied These Holidays

These are great ways to help you get work done and at the same time entertain and help kids learn.

Sign up for my newsletter

Stay current with all the things that are happening on Mummy to Twins Plus One. Don’t miss a thing by signing up for my newsletter. This newsletter will list all giveaways and fabulous things that are happening.

 


This post has affiliate links

Categories
Family

Learning with Get Ready For School Australia

Do you have a little person

that is close to going to Kindy?

If they are a few years away from entering big school or otherwise known as primary you might want to expose them to some concepts to give them a better start.

My little boy Alexander is still three but in a few short months will be four, and next year is his last year in childcare. Childcare runs a preschool program and he’s learning so much more each day.

How is he so close to going to Big School? Mind you he is keen to go to school like his big sisters, however the same year he starts Kindy the twins will be starting high school…yes I will have kids at two different stages!

I’ve partnered with Get Ready for School Australia to share their great resources to help your little people get school ready.  Read on to find the 15% discount…yes what a helpful thing to have!

Bark is keen to learn with Get Ready for School Australia too! Alexander loves his new kit too!
Bark is keen to learn with Get Ready for School Australia too! Alexander loves his new kit too!

“The Get Ready for School Australia program focuses on playful and meaningful learning activities that build a love of learning in your child – in the familiar surroundings of your own home. And they need little or no preparation.”

 I have a super great discount for my readers, you can get 15% off!

Enter the following code: Alexander15 

Benefits of Get Ready for School Australia

  • Builds confidence
  • Helps parents with everything they need to help their child get school ready
  • Spend quality time with mum/dad learning
  • Have fun learning with everyday items that you have at home
  • The Get Ready for School Australia is personalised for your child and follows the school curriculum

 

Alexander is still learning to write. He loves colouring in and holding pens, pencils, and textas, he is also figuring out what hand he wants to write with. Currently, he is favouring his left hand.

I read to Alex every night and he likes to read me the story from the pictures in the book. It is very interesting hearing his view of the story, however, sometimes it doesn’t match the book at all and is hilarious!

Stay tuned for more posts and videos about our progress with the Get Ready for School Australia kit.   Get one for your little one that is about to start Kindy soon, they make sure to personalise the pack for your little one.

Sign up for my newsletter

Stay current with all the things that are happening on Mummy to Twins Plus One. Don’t miss a thing by signing up for my newsletter. This newsletter will list all giveaways and fabulous things that are happening.

 

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Categories
Education

Valentine’s Day Word Scramble Worksheet

Do your kids love to do word scrambles?

Since Valentine’s Day is around the corner a Valentine’s Day inspired worksheet is ideal.

Do you love giving your children more worksheets so they can practice and get better at their school work? I know I do!

Did you know that word scramble worksheets help kids with spelling?

Kids have fun solving the scrambled word and have no idea that they are learning at the same time. What a win as a parent!

Education.com is a wonderful resource for educational worksheets to help your children learn.

You can also become an Education.com member and get access to more amazing content to help your kids.

I love that Education.com ties-in times of the year to help kids have fun while they are actually doing work.  The free worksheets are based on Valentine’s Day.

 

The Valentine’s Day Eduction.com downloads are below:

Learn some new words for Valentine’s Day with this word scramble from Education.com!

To get more spelling practice, check out these resources.

 

You can even build your own worksheet from the Education.com worksheet generator.  Make your own for the kids today!

Would you like to have more Valentine’s Day worksheets? If you do there are more. Download and have fun celebrating.

Disclaimer: I was approached by Education.com to share this free worksheet with my readers. I love helping kids learn, and like to share great resources for parents.

Sign up for my newsletter

Stay current with all the things that are happening on Mummy to Twins Plus One? Don’t miss a thing by signing up for my newsletter. This newsletter will list all giveaways and fabulous things that are happening.

 

Categories
News

Help Families in Need with School Supplies

Help create a better future for some of Australia's poorest kids - donate to the Smith Family today. Help kids purchase school items.
Help create a better future for some of Australia's poorest kids - donate to the Smith Family today. Help kids purchase school items.

Have you purchased all the items your kids need to start school soon? I did and boy was it expensive, and also stressful shopping with two very energetic kids (not to mention the baby as well).

Making sure you can have all the items that the school desires you to have for your kids to start school is great if you have the money, but give a thought for families that might not. They might be struggling and some purchases might not be able to be made. Therefore these kids miss out and start out the school year behind the other kids. This disadvantage can really impact a child’s learning, confidence and much more.

Did You Know?

“There are 638,000 Australian children whose families are experiencing financial hardship and life is a daily struggle.” The Smith Family.

I would hate to think what I would do if I could not afford to get the girls their books, pens, pencils, highlighters, textas, other markers, new school shoes and much more. I of course would be grateful for the help and like the fact that my kids would not be the odd ones at their school.

Children like to be like all the others and not having things the other kids do is a real blow. It makes them different from others straight from the start.

It is sad that many families are experiencing financial hardship.

I know how tough it can get, although when we struggled we did not have kids.

We had just gotten married, come home from our honeymoon to find out that hubby was let go of his job. That left me in a job that did not pay enough to pay for everything. We were super lucky that our house payments were manageable but everything else got left due to not having funds to do anything.

Hubby and I cancelled the extras that cost us money, we bought in bulk and mainly mince and frozen vegetables.  Kind relatives sent us care packages and gift cards so we could shop at Coles or Woolies At times we went without dinner and struggled to put petrol in the car. It was tough and we are able to say we survived. We were lucky. We had help from friends and family.

Help create a better future for some of Australia's poorest kids - donate to the Smith Family today. Help kids purchase school essentials so they can be their best.
Help create a better future for some of Australia’s poorest kids – donate to the Smith Family today. Help kids purchase school essentials so they can be their best.

I can’t imagine how much tougher it would have been with kids as well. We did have a cat and made sure he ate well, but I do know kids and their needs are different. They would need clothes, school items, and all sorts of things. Being in dire straights due to circumstance is tough and hard.

I agree with the Smith Family when they say that, “It is absolutely crucial that we give them the support they need”. Without help families go backwards and situations can get worse.

DONATE TO THE SMITH FAMILY SO THEY CAN HELP A FAMILY IN NEED

Education and opportunity can open so many doors for kids. It can change your whole life. Change someones life today by donating to the Smith Family so they can help a family get school supplies and other educational support for their kids.

I have given today, why don’t you! Donate to the Smith Family today.  See the nice thank you I received after I gave.

My donation to help families in need. I hope this helps get some school supplies and help for kids at school this year.
My donation to help families in need. I hope this helps get some school supplies and help for kids at school this year.

 

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. I feel very strongly about all kids having a fair go and being equal. Kids need to feel supported and so do families so that they can provide the very best education for their children. Kids who are given opportunities and have the right equipment to learn with do well. Doing well at school leads to a good job and life. It helps everyone. I was also touched by the advertisements due to just purchasing all the twins school items for grade three this year. It was super expensive and I cannot imagine how it would be with little to no income to do it.

Make sure you help someone that is going through a tough time.

Give them support, help, maybe money or time or just a helping hand.

If you don’t know anyone that needs assistance I’m sure the Smith Family can help. If you donate to the Smith Family they will give the funds to the families that need it the most.

Categories
5 years and beyond

We Survived Term 1 of Kindy

Term one for Kindy is over.Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Term one for Kindy is over.Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Term one has ended. Yes the kids have survived their first term at Kindy and so have I. Who knew there would be so many notes home, events, things to do and of course the magic of hearing your child read. It has truly been an eventful time.

Not only have they grown with their education, the girls have grown more height wise. We are not huge so don’t think that we have had a massive growth spurt. However it is just enough to have to tell the kids to sit down when I brush their hair. The extra height is also giving the twins an edge to get into more areas of the house. Not a major fan of this new found talent but they think they are super clever.

I must admit that I am keen to have sleep ins in the holidays and to see if I can get some things done around the house. Holidays have started in style with a trip to the movies. Yes, kids and I went to see the new Muppets film, “The Muppets Most Wanted“. It was funny in parts and the kids loved it so that is the main thing.

The one thing that I will not miss is the morning melt downs; the screaming when I ask kids to brush their hair, to find the other school shoe and where oh where is their reader for school? Or the school hat? It is not me that is going to school and I don’t care if you don’t have your hat and cannot play outside. It will be so nice to not worry about any of this for the next two weeks.

What about you? Have you survived the first term of Kindy? Are you thankful for the holidays? Will you get a sleep in? I might not, but not having to be anywhere for a certain time is relaxing enough. Send in your comments.

Categories
5 years and beyond

2 More Sleeps Till Transition

Girls getting ready to go to school.Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Girls getting ready to go to school.Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

My little girls have grown up so much. They have had nearly two years at pre-school and are busting at the seams to be off to big school (Kindy) soon!  They are still very small for their age and petite little things, however they are feisty and strong little people. The girls love a challenge and cannot wait for the challenge that Kindy brings them.

There is currently 2 more sleeps until transition starts for Kindy and as you can imagine, they are super excited. I keep on getting asked, “How many more days’ mummy till transition?”

Transition for those that don’t know is a day a week that pre-school kids go to the primary school to learn what Kindy and the big school are all about. They get introduced to their future teachers, see and experience what it is like to be in a classroom, learn what is expected and get to know the facilities of the school. The kids even get paired up with a year five buddy that will be the year six buddy next year so that they can show them around the school.

A friends child that went last year said it was very cute and lovely to watch her son hold hands with an older student and be shown around the school. Adorable.

I am very excited for them. Hubby is working from home that day so that he can be there for the first day. It will be a day to make sure to record with many pictures. I have said this before, it will be a strange thing to suddenly have two kids in school full time next year.

Did your kids go through transition? Did they like it? Did you think it was a good idea? What was the best thing for you as a parent? Send in your comments.

Categories
3 years and beyond University Study

Flexible education not that flexible

If you don’t know, I am studying a Masters in Project Management. I have elected to study online as it is easier to fit in with having kids and my lifestyle at the moment. I did start the degree without kids, but chose online as working and finding time to get to class might be an issue, online delivery seemed to be the best way forward.

Last week I noticed that the draft timetable had been listed, it was noted if you needed a remote location for this exam to contact the coordinator. Upon finding out that there was to be an exam, I contacted said coordinator and was told not to worry that I would be able to have the exam at a remote location. Just to explain, a remote location is not at the campus. The campus is in the city, and I currently live over 2 hours away.

Exam room waiting for everyone to sit their uni exam. Wish us all luck!
Exam room waiting for everyone to sit their uni exam. Wish us all luck!

 

I emailed a request to have a remote location organised due to me being far away and commitments with my twin girls. After over 4 emails this was not taken into consideration and I have to come to campus to take this exam.  As you can imagine I am not happy with this result. The university sighted costs and issues with getting my results back in a timely manner.

One of the emails stated that I could have a remote location for the exam under special circumstances. I then cited the fact that I need to drop kids off at pre-school for 9.15am and pick them up for 2.45pm. I need to be at the university for 9.20 for a 2 hour exam. It takes me 2 hours to drive or at least by train to get to the city. The exam is slated to finish at 11.30, then I would have to drive back, so factor in another 2 hours travel time. I think I would miss school pick up in the afternoon as well. If the exam was local could drop kids at school, do exam and then pick kids up. No issues at all, other than the worry about passing this exam.

The coordinator thought she was being helpful to start the time of the exam at 11.30 to let me drop of the kids at school, but then who picks them up? We are in an area with no family or many friends close by. I have made more friends that have said that can help, but I am not leaving them with one child it will be two. Also I am not sure when I will be back.

I ended up asking my husband to take the day and work part of it from home, he was lucky that he could do it. Normally he is flat out with projects and it might not have been possible.  What would have happened if I had no one to ask? Why is it that the university can sight costs, I am paying nearly $4,000 for just one subject each semester, and I am not using any of the facilities on campus? The least they can do is to help me out a bit. I do understand that there is a cost associated with remote exams, but why can’t I double up with another university that is doing the same thing. Would this not reduce costs?

One of the reasons that the university claim that I need to physically be at the University for the Exam, is that they say that I am located in the Sydney Metropolitan area. If this is the case, I should be able to walk to George Street and go to the movies, maybe a spot of shopping at Centrepoint as I am so close and walking distance. What a laugh!

Living in Katoomba it is very interesting that sometimes you live in the country and then the rest of the time you are considered that you live in the city. Interesting, I fully believe that it is structured to benefit the business owner, not the customer. I am already paying inflated fees, and an extra one that they have decided to add for just this year and the remainder of my course.

I also feel that it discriminates against women with children. How do you manage to retrain, have an interest and earn the same or more money for the next job?  A degree or like qualification will help. Doing flexible online study I would think that they would be open to remote venues for the exam, now it has put a whole lot more stress on the day. Thank god I have a husband that can take the day, what if I had no one? Would they have stepped up then? Child care is too expensive, pre-school is costly. To then have to pay to get to the exam by putting kids in care would have really annoyed me no end!

Why can other universities have exams in Wentworth Falls and Katoomba, and mine Sydney University cannot do the same.  I am still annoyed, frustrated and felt stressed out trying to organise how I will be able to attend the exam.   As a mother and a person that would like to do well with her career, I find this unacceptable and this needs to change. University and other educational institutions need to step up and make exams and courses easier to access for mothers and parents. I think they need to consider the individual and then assess from there.

Have you been annoyed at your educational provider? Have they made things difficult for you due to being a mother and having other commitments? Why is it so hard for this to be taken seriously, I think that they did not put any weight into the fact that I am the only person that takes care of my twins during the week, and I don’t have help.   Has this happened to you? Send in your comments.

Let us know your thoughts. Why not continue the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages.