Issue#35 Doha Family Magazine Winter 2020

THE PREMIER MAGAZINE FOR FAMILIES IN QATAR

Advice from Homeschooling Families

Food, Family & Culture PLUS:

The Doha Family Guide to University Applications

THE ERA OF E-LEARNING

BLENDED LEARNING, ADULT EDUCATION, SELF-CARE TIPS, AND MORE WINTER 2020 | ISSUE 16 | BROUGHT TO YOU BY DOHA FAMILY | DOHAFAMILY.COM

Winter 2020 | Issue 16

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ADMISSIONS

OPEN

COVID-SAFE NEW LANDMARK CAMPUS

THE WORLD NEEDS NEW THINKING: WE’RE READY. Our students are empowered with resilience, creativity, self-belief and the skills to thrive in a changing world.

FOR GIRLS AND BOYS AGED 3–18.

CALL + 974 3026 6800 OR EMAIL DOHA-ADMISSIONS@ACS-SCHOOL.COM TO ORGANISE A PERSONAL TOUR. 2

Contents

Winter 2020 • DohaFamily.com

EDUCATION 13 Blended Learning Advice from Homeschooling Families Five families’ tips for successful remote learning 24 The Doha Family Guide to University Applications How you can get into the institution of your dreams

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39 7 Top Online Education Platforms for Adults Pick up new skills and improve your career prospects 54 Learning the Montessori Way The ins and outs of the Montessori system

FAMILY MATTERS 52 Dad Talks Why this Doha dad celebrated his son’s first online school day

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29 How to Keep Kids (and You) Motivated for Home Learning Simple steps to keep everyone productive 43 Family, Food & Culture Expat families talk cooking and teaching cultural heritage

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HEALTH & WELLNESS 20 Keeping Kids Active while Social Distancing Get your little ones moving on their days home 34 Self-care Tips for Blended Learning Ways to keep the family on an even keel 49 Student Self-Care: Keep Your Table Stable A school counsellor’s advice on staying well

LIVING IN DOHA 58 Tween Talks A Doha tween’s take on virtual learning

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Quick Directory 7 Editor’s Letter 8 News Bites 9 What’s On 10 Ask the Expert 12 Book Bites 11 Things We Love

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Main contributors KIM WYATT is the Doha Family Magazine Food Contributor.

A mum, photographer, writer, stylist, and cook, she is passionate about healthy and delicious food for the whole family. Follow her on Instagram at mama_baba_ganoush or on Facebook at Mama Baba Ganoush Community Group.

LISA GAY is a writer from the US who has so far spent over a decade of her life as an expat.

She’s lived in Beijing, where she worked as an editor of a parenting magazine. Now a trailing spouse, she has since started a family in Doha.

LAURA POWELL-CORBETT is a banker turned writer from England. Besides writing, she loves discovering Doha, meeting new friends, and travelling the world with her three young children in tow.

EMMA MORRELL is a British mum who has lived outside of the UK for over a third of her life. She’s a family travel blogger and expat who is passionate about helping families to travel more adventurously and empowering expat women and families.

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Quick Directory

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Children’s Activities The Gymnastics Academy

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Catering & Party Services Najla Nabil Photography

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Medical, Wellbeing, Spa ActiPatch Bio Oil Icon Medical Love Coach

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Schools ACS International School Doha American School Of Doha Compass International School International School of London

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Sports & Active Lifestyle Evolution Sports Qatar Evolution Sports Qatar

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Editor’s Letter Back in 2013, when I was introduced to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) as an adult learner, I was fascinated by the potentially endless possibilities of at-home, online learning. Of course, it wasn’t as popularised as it had become in the past year, and I think there was an air of scepticism towards it. But now with the ongoing pandemic and the shift of things from IRL to URL, we have had to navigate a less-explored way of doing things. From schooling and university courses to workspaces and conferences, finding our remote, virtual footing has been tricky, to say the least.

So, in this issue, we’re going to get into the nitty-gritty of distance learning—the good, bad, and slightly ugly. We’re going to get into its challenges for families and what we can do about them (page 29). We’ll learn how to look after our mental and physical health while we’re at it (pages 20, 34 & 49).

We’re also going to share some wisdom from families who’ve always approached education less-traditionally (page 13) and hear from those who’ve taken home education to a different realm by teaching their children about the relationship between food and their cultures (page 43).

Winter 2020 | Issue 16

Issue 16 – Winter 2020 DohaFamily.com Founder

Roxanne Davis

Publisher / Managing Director Anas Outa Bashi

Editor

Tesneem Ayoub

Sales & Marketing Nina Hall

And above all, we’ll hear from a student in the middle of it all (page 58).

But online learning isn’t just for school kids—we’ve got a breakdown of the best online platforms for professional courses to get you on track with your career (page 39). Plus, for budding university students, our no-nonsense guide to help you ace your application will (hopefully!) go down a treat (page 24).

I’m really excited for you to check all of that out and more!

I also love hearing from you, so if you have any questions or comments, or there’s something you’d like to see in Doha Family, hit me up at editor@dohafamily. com.

Tesneem

Editor Doha Family Magazine

Sales Representative Elena Khomenko

Graphic Design:

The HYPE Marketing Solutions For advertising or distribution inquiries, please contact Nina Hall at ads@dohafamily.com.

Editorial inquiries, suggestions, and submissions may be addressed to editor@dohafamily.com.

Doha Family Magazine is a free magazine published four times a year by Doha Family. It is distributed to over 120 locations throughout Qatar with a circulation of over 20,000 copies. Visit https:// dohafamily.com/distributionlocation/ to find the nearest copy.

Doha Family does not endorse or assume responsibility for any information, products, or services mentioned by advertisers or editorial contributors. Reproduction of any element of this publication without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Copyright 2020 by Doha Family. Doha Family Magazine is printed by Aspire Printing Press in Doha, Qatar.

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DOHA METRO has suspended paper tickets and urges customers to purchase reusable travel cards instead. This step is part of Doha Metro’s efforts to promote environmental sustainability. Customers can buy travel cards from licensed retailers or the ticket vending machines at stations. qr.com.qa HAMAD MEDICAL CORPORATION’S (HMC) Dr Hanadi Al Hamad, Qatar’s National Health Strategy 2018-2022 lead for Healthy Ageing and medical director of Rumailah Hospital and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, urges citizens and residents over 50-years-old to get the seasonal influenza vaccine. Dr Al Hamad says that it is especially vital for people in that age group to get the vaccine as getting older weakens the immune system and can increase the risk of serious complications caused by the flu. hamad.qa LEARN AUTISM, an online platform supporting children with autism, has been launched in the MENA region with Arabic subtitles. This platform provides parents, caregivers, and kids with interactive, step-

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by-step video tutorials on various aspects of life on the autism spectrum. The topics covered include everything from early diagnosis to realistic outlooks on adulthood for children on the spectrum. Dr Stephen Shore, an academic who has autism, founded Learn Autism with the help of therapy professionals and parents. Subscription to the platform costs USD 24.99/ year (around QR 100) but members can try three days for free. learnautism.com NAJLA ALKUWARI AND NOOF ALMAHMOUD, two Qatari women, have created a soon-to-launch counselling app called Therappy. Therappy, a Qatar Foundation (QF) backed initiative, aims to provide a secure platform for users to seek affordable psychological counselling through video and audio calls, messages, and live-chat sessions. The founders came up with the app after finding themselves facing the challenges of new motherhood and without mental health services to suit their needs. qstp.org.qa

WHAT’S ON THIS WINTER EXPLORE

ADVENTURE RELAX

The first edition of The International Handicrafts & Traditional Productions Cultural Market is currently underway at Katara Cultural Village.

Swing by to check out the array of handmade creations sold by craftspeople from Qatar and beyond. The market is open from 4 pm to 10 pm and will run until Sunday 28th February 2021.

AquaSports Qatar is giving nature lovers the chance to kayak through Purple Island’s mangroves with its lifeguardassisted tours.

The tours go on until 31 December 2020 and are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Tickets cost QR 200 per adult, QR 100 per child aged seven to 12, and QR 50 for under sevens and must be paid by cash on arrival. Private tours and female-only packages are also available.

The costs cover kayaking equipment such as life jackets, free beverages and snacks, Bedouin camps, and more.

katara.net/whats-on/ events

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Doha is offering you the chance to create the perfect spa day at home with its luxurious product ranges. From bath and shower to skin and hair care, the team at The Spa will be on hand to help you put together a selection of products tailor-made for your day of bliss. Get in touch through WhatsApp at 4008-8888 or email modoh-spa@mohg.com.

RELISH

The Tasty Street food festival at Katara Cultural Village hosts over 30 kiosks, serving everything from artisan coffee and ice cream to burgers and seafood.

With all that variety around, there’s bound to be something for every member of the family to enjoy. The street-food event continues until 21st March 2021. instagram.com/tasty. street.qa

mandarinoriental.com/ event/blissful-selfpampering-at-home

http://paddleq.checkfront. com/reserve/ Winter 2020 | Issue 16

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RE: How can I help my child stay engaged with online school?

When schools moved to online learning, we quickly learnt that parents and teachers must work together as one team. Keeping children engaged with online learning can be challenging, but here are seven ways to help: 1. Maintain home-to-school communication: regular communication and feedback can establish trust and a feeling of support between students, families, and teachers. Information regarding school operations changes rapidly, so communication is essential. It will assist students in understanding and adjusting to a rapidly evolving learning environment.

2. Manage and understand expectations: it is important to understand your family’s expectations as well as the school’s. Go over what the school expects regarding online learning and set expectations of your own. Schedule some quality child-parent time. If siblings are sharing a device, make sure they know how and when to use it.

3. Create a designated learning space: creating a space for learning reduces distractions, stress, and conflict. With younger children, you want their study space to be in a central location as they get distracted easily. Older children enjoy more privacy, especially if they’re frequently in video classes. Try to also limit any distractions during lessons.

4. Develop consistent routines and schedules: a daily routine provides children with clear boundaries, expectations, and consistency. Younger children need more structure, so let them know what to expect. Have them follow a routine as if they’re going to school.

5. Keep Moving: allow time for exercise as children need to move their bodies frequently throughout the day. Also, remember that some children can focus better on activities while they are standing. So, consider having your computer or tablet placed on a raised surface to allow this.

6. Take a break: taking short breaks can increase productivity, reduce stress, increase focus, and keep students motivated.

7. Provide immediate positive feedback: positive feedback can improve a child’s enthusiasm, confidence, and self-awareness for learning.

Sincerely, Reinette Evert School Counsellor / Educational Psychologist International School of London Qatar

Have a question for the experts?

Send it to editor@dohafamily.com 10

Things We STEM Learning STEM Learning’s website is packed with resources for STEM subjects to support home learning for primary and secondary school-aged children, and all for free!

These curriculum-linked resources are based on the UK national curriculum. Still, there is also a section for hands-on activities to try at home where everyone can join in. The site notes that the activities are supposed to be done with adult assistance. stem.org.uk

A Petite Story This local business is a one-stop-shop for mother and baby accessories, from bodysuits to bows and breastfeeding covers. But what especially caught our attention were its wonderfully crafted, reversible cloth face-masks.

Available in child, teen, and adult sizes and in a variety of patterns, there’s sure to be something you’ll like. Our editor was thrilled to find one with both her loves: pink and florals! Child and teen-sized masks respectively cost QR 50 and QR 55 per piece, whereas adult ones go for QR 60.

Pick-up is free, but home deliveries cost QR 25 within Doha and QR 35 outside. International shipping is also available. apetitestory.com

AssessmentDay This site houses hundreds of varied practice aptitude tests to help you nail a job interview at any industry. Employers can also benefit from its interpretation guides for such tests to help them decide whether candidates are right for the jobs on offer. The site also has a section to help users prepare for interviews at specific big-name companies.

Some of the tests are available for free, and you can get a free trial membership of the site. But if you really want to get stuck in, you can purchase a year’s access to every test available with worked answers for GBP 39.99 (around QAR 200). You can also buy subject-specific bundles for GBP 14.99 (around QAR 75). assessmentday.co.uk

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Book Bites Zoha Siddiqui, 8th Grade

at American School of Doha Title: Nowhere Boy Author: Katherine Marsh Genre: adventure fiction Nowhere Boy begins with Ahmed, a Syrian refugee who fled a life of uncertainty and hardship arriving in Brussels, Belgium. He had nowhere to go till he met Max, an American expat who moved to Brussels. Max has trouble at his new school, and can’t seem to get anything right. As soon as Ahmed’s and Max’s lives collide, a friendship grows. Together they learn what it means to be brave and how hope can change your destiny. The chapters in the book are short and alter between Max and Ahmed’s perspectives. In my opinion, I would recommend this book for tweens who are interested in themes such as racism, xenophobia, and world politics.

You can visit Zoha’s book blog at zohaflipsapage.com.

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EDUCATION

Blended Learning Advice from Homeschooling Families

By Emma Morrell

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istance education, homeschooling, unschooling and world-schooling are terms that have been around for a long time but have become more commonly used since the Covid-19 outbreak. School closures for months on end meant that families across the world had to follow a variety of regimes, using a combination of class calls and online resources.

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Homeschooling became a trending term, while the families who have been doing it for years rushed to point out that current online learning methods and homeschooling are very different. Five families who have been using a variety of out-of-classroom education techniques for years spoke to Doha Family and shared their best advice on getting through blended learning

Take It Easy It’s safe to say that 2020 has been one of the most testing years in modern history. Being put in lockdown situations, working from home, missing friends and family, and living with the underlying 13

EDUCATION anxiety of surviving a pandemic has made life challenging to say the least. “Motivating kids is hard!” a UK-based homeschooling mother, Sinead Camplin, reminds us. She says this despite homeschooling her children out of choice and not because it was a circumstance forced upon her. This is also the case for the other families interviewed that started homeschooling after serious consideration and careful preparation.

They had been able to plan their homeschooling journey according to their family values, beliefs, and specific requirements. This is a world away from the momentous task of parents who are currently trying to follow online learning plans from their children’s school and act as unqualified teachers to (often) unwilling and distracted students in the middle of so much uncertainty. But even the families who have chosen this path have reported having good and challenging days, so it is inevitable that everyone else will, too. Keep your expectations low—both of yourself and those of your children, and avoid beating yourself up on days when the going is tough.

Keep It Fun! Melissa Wiringi has also been homeschooling her three children for several years. After selling everything to travel the world, she and her family had found themselves stranded in Vietnam back in March, and they have been there ever since. She says that she has noticed many families forced into online learning complaining about how awful it is and fears that it could be the most damaging thing for the next generation. “If you’re pushing them all the time and you’re not enjoying the process, then that’s not going to be conducive to them wanting to learn…the point of education is to create a love of learning,” she says.

And to that point...

Ditch the Desk All five families were unanimous in their enthusiasm for moving away from the traditional classroom and desk environment, touting the idea that almost everything in life is a learning experience.

They say that children learn in different ways—by seeing, hearing, doing, and generally using their senses. “Acknowledging this means trying to find the method that works best for your child, even if it is not your way,” advises Sinead. Chanel Morales world-schooled her daughter, who has dyslexia, for two years and saw huge positives in taking her out of the classroom and out into the world. “It was amazing for her to have the ability to learn in her own ways and at her own pace,” says Chanel.

Chanel adds that she really valued the freedom that learning and travelling gave her family, along with the ability to learn more from the world they experienced at that time.

Keep It Short and Sweet One of the biggest lessons learnt by our homeschooling families was just how much time 14

EDUCATION

they had to spare. Jenny Eaves is another mum who has been homeschooling for more than five years. She realised that when schooling outside the classroom, you have to account for the time spent on breaks, transitions between classes, holidays, and teaching time for the whole class in traditional school settings. When you do this, it is possible to cover just as much material in one to two hours a day. Furthermore, it is important to realise that schools don’t have students sitting in the same place for the whole day. Infant and primary schools have frequent changes between carpet time, whole-class teaching, smallWinter 2020 | Issue 16

group work, and individual work. Secondary school students transition between classrooms multiple times per day. Asking any child, of any age, to sit in the same place for six hours is, most likely, going to end in failure. Be sure to take regular breaks and consider doing different lessons in different areas of the house to keep things fresh.

Be Flexible Emma Pamley has been world-schooling across the globe for more than five years and now finds herself in the UK while worldwide travel is restricted. “Be flexible in your approach and attitude to learning,� she advises. In fact, all the families advocate being 15

EDUCATION open to adapting and changing when things are not working out. Sinead agrees and recommends ditching timetables when you can. She says that regularly reviewing her family’s progress helped them to identify what was working and what needed improvement. World-schooling families find this flexibility particularly important. Travel schedules and tourism mean that some days will be spent on planes, trains, and automobiles (and buses, tuk-tuks, taxis, and boats!) or sightseeing, leaving little time for more structured learning.

On the other hand, we have all been stuck inside on holiday thanks to miserable weather, and it is at these times that families with more flexible schedules can turn to indoor and online resources to redress the balance.

Make It Relevant All the families were also in favour of making learning relevant to your current life, location, social climate, and so on. Wherever your blendedlearning resources are flexible, adapt the lessons to make them relevant to your family and situation.

Emma is a big believer in having an open dialogue with your children and having open and frank discussions about your environment and current affairs. She relies on a wide variety of resources, including Lego, museum visits, and nature walks.

She also relishes in the chance to learn a new skill and has found learning opportunities in everything,

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from graffiti to history tours and volunteering sessions. Sinead agrees and says she takes her kids outdoors whenever she can.

Find Balance Homeschooling offers more flexibility than online and blended learning, but even within the structure of your school’s guidance, there are ways to weave balance into your days at home. “You don’t have to do all the things every day,” asserts Melissa. She says that if her kids were struggling to concentrate with a given task or on a particular day, they would just take a break and walk away.

They sometimes also found it useful to completely change the dynamic in a situation by playing cards or any other game. Doing this can reset tensions and give everyone a break.

On the other hand, if your child is really enjoying an activity, stopping them can curb their creativity and instinct for learning. Some kids will find the inspiration to do a piece of work just once a week, so sometimes it makes sense to let them persevere and not force the issue on days when the interest is not there. Other times—and you know when your children are procrastinating—they need to understand the importance of avoiding procrastination. Only you, as their parent, know the unique balance of when to push and when to pull

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EDUCATION back based on your kids’ needs, the family dynamic, and the situation at hand.

Quality Screen Time During the lockdown, many parents struggled with the amount of screen time that schools were requiring from kids, which was difficult to limit appropriately. Jenny says they were able to learn a lot from podcasts and apps, while Sinead used technology to her advantage by getting her children to make short movies and animations.

Melissa had used a variety of online resources such as Khan Academy to complement their worldschooling. Now, her kids are using technology in different ways, even for reading and music. All of these mums have proactively found resources to support them based on what the children were interested in learning. Chanel also did the same— she tapped into an online school called Galileo and found tutors through Preply, a virtual directory for online tutors. It is all about the getting the right balance, though, as Emma says: “Screens can be used in a beneficial manner and can aid learning, but don’t dismiss comic books, pamphlets shoved through the door, or any type of material that kids can learn from.”

Be the Student, Not the Teacher Jenny recommends listening to your child and taking their lead. “You need to facilitate learning that they enjoy and are happy with,” she says.

Listening to your children can significantly help direct the overall learning objectives as well as day-to-day activities. Spending time learning with your kids can teach you so much about them, such as when they learn best and what their cues are for needing a break, versus when they need a push in the right direction. It is also fun to decide to learn something together and bond over that shared 18

process. Melissa shares that her favourite thing about homeschooling is how much her kids teach her as well as the new experiences they’ve been having in Vietnam as a family. She also thinks that her children have been learning by watching her and her husband learning new things and handling difficult situations. We can certainly all learn something from children’s curiosity, enthusiasm, imagination, and zest for life!

But Make the Most of Teaching For all that can be frustrating with teaching our kids, particularly in situations where we are all struggling to get the schoolwork done, there are also some benefits to having the opportunity to be more involved.

Seeing your children doing their schoolwork can give you unique insights into their day. It can also help you better understand what they find easy and what they struggle with. Melissa says that she and her husband had known their son was struggling at school but had not really understood the extent of it until they pulled him out and were sitting with him every day. While most families will be continuing with formal education and not dedicating themselves to homeschooling, this awareness can help all parents assist their children and their children’s teachers in more supportive ways.

EDUCATION

Trust Your Instincts Parents—and mums in particular—will always worry if they’re doing the right thing for their children.

Still, the reality is that it is often the parents who know what is truly best. They alone are the people with their children’s best interests at heart and no other agenda in mind like following curriculum requirements, timetables, or factoring in other students’ needs. It is they who know their children better than anyone else in the world and can tell what they need and when. Remember that caring for the mental well-being of the individuals in your family unit is just as important as the material they are learning. This is all, hopefully, a temporary measure, and there will be time for children to catch up. But the mental health scars of this virus are already starting to show in children and adults alike and may continue to affect us all in years to come.

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So, relax into the process. Use your intuition to guide what you and your family need to get through this new phase of educating.

Doha Family would like to thank Sinead Camplin, Jenny Eaves, Chanel Morales, Emma Pamley, and Melissa Wiringi for their candid insights into home and world-schooling. You can follow all of their adventures on Facebook at Map Made Memories, Monkey and Mouse, Digital Nomad Mums, Journey of a Nomadic Family, and World Intrepids. DF

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Keeping Kids Active while Social Distancing

By Laura Powell-Corbett

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s the Covid-19 pandemic steamrolls its way through 2020, and our children adapt to shifting “new normals” every other week, we have seen many changes here in Qatar. First, schools closed back in March. Then, they reopened in September when both blended and full-time online were options. Now, we have moved on to a rotated learning scheme, and through it all, our children have proven time and time again how resilient they are.

However, resilient or not, one thing remains the same: our children need to stay active.

According to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) website, children over five should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day. Under-fives, however, should be physically active for at least 180 minutes per day.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS But the question that has been on parents’ minds is, how can they hit those targets in the current climate? After all, many of their traditional avenues are closed to them. Outdoor play at school is still limited, and only certain sports clubs have returned to training.

With that in mind, we have looked at more creative ways to get active with your children. From dancing and running, to competing against dad, there is something for every kid to get them moving.

Think Out of the Box In this socially distant time, we’ve seen an increase in online activities—something you would normally associate with being sedentary. But there are ways to get active, even while participating in viral social media trends. Yes, you read that right! Social media and staying active can mix and a perfect example of that is with TikTok. You can keep up with the latest viral dance trends and get your heart pumping with 15 seconds of fast, catchy choreography.

Lisa, a mum to two young girls, often joins in with her daughters’ dance sessions to get some muchneeded exercise and laughter with them. She recommends parents who want to do the same to make their TikTok profiles private. She also advises those with younger children to not allow the app on their devices so that they can monitor what they are doing more easily.

Engage Their Competitive Spirit It’s all well and good to tell your children to go out and run around, but often you find that they get bored with running drills. While running is an excellent way to stay fit and active, it is not always the most mentally stimulating. So, with that in mind, why not set up virtual races with their friends?

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You could consider holding virtual races of varying distances or arranging other team activities.

Jaclyn and Laura, mums to six children between them, set up a collaborative marathon event for their eldest children. Each child had to run a minimum of 1km (timed) each day to count towards the team effort of completing a marathon distance.

Ten days later, in a total time of five hours, thirty-one minutes, and forty-one seconds, the four children had run a combined total of 42 km—in other words, they completed a marathon!

Consider Personal Training Personal training doesn’t have to be just for grownups. UK-based trainer Joe Wicks took the world by storm with his PE with Joe sessions during the lockdown, encouraging children and adults alike to get moving. As a result, words like “burpees” and “squats” made it into even the most reluctant of exercisers’ vocabulary, showing that circuits and personal training don’t have to be boring. With a multitude of personal trainers (PTs) here in Qatar—many who are trained to work with teenagers—you can look at taking it off YouTube and into the gym. And that way, your PT will be able to check your form and encourage you to build in muscle strength, fitness, and confidence. Jackie, 21

HEALTH & WELLNESS a personal trainer who works with teenagers, says that it is a pleasure to see their confidence grow as the weeks go by and says that they can notice their fitness improving.

Take Up a New Hobby Being active can sometimes be seen as something you have to do rather than something you enjoy, but it can be both. Many hobbies and sports can be practised with social distancing maintained.

Fabien, a dad to two, has taken up rollerblading with his two children. Though he says they run rings around him with the tricks they’re able to complete while he struggles to stay upright, the main goal for him is that they’re all out of the house together, enjoying being active.

Katherine and her family all participate in tennis lessons together. When they’re not actively being coached, the kids are still able to grab their rackets to play in the garden together or hit a ball against a wall.

They might also volley the ball to one another or just play another game with their swing ball together instead.

With a variety of sporting equipment now available here in Qatar, the sky is the limit with what you can try. From padel (the racquet sport that has gained popularity in Spain) to skateboarding, there is something to suit all interests.

Get Outside Sometimes it is as simple as getting outside, especially for the littlest members of your family.

Elisa, a mum to a toddler son, says that often, her son’s favourite activity is being outdoors, walking around and exploring. For younger children, keeping them active can be as simple taking them for walks in the park and giving the chance to smell the flowers.

If you want to be a little more adventurous, why not head up to one of Qatar’s many beautiful beaches?

A morning of digging in the sand and running in the surf will tire out even the most active bunch for the rest of the day.

Go Old School While it can be intimidating to try and think of new ways to keep your children active and entertained, sometimes it is best to go back to basics. As there are now several bike paths around Qatar offering a safe way to ride, why not get on your wheels as a family and take a quick spin near Khalifa Stadium or around Aspire Park? You could also head over to Oxygen Park. If you’re feeling nervous about being outside on your bike, you could try putting a scenic route on YouTube and turn your bike into a stationary one.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS Another tried and tested activity is swimming, and with pools now reopening, you can pull on your swimsuits and jump in.

Make a Mess and Go Crazy Get the kids to create an at-home, indoor obstacle course! Emma, a mum of two, does this by letting her children run wild, pulling off every single cushion, chair, and stool to create the most elaborate obstacle courses. Her kids even make her join in!

Enjoy It! The main thing you need to consider when choosing these activities for your family is whether you will enjoy them. When you enjoy something, you’re more likely to keep it up, and that can only be a good thing for activity levels. DF

Choose Calmer Activities You may think that being active means being wild, but there are many calmer activities that are good for both physical and mental health. An example is yoga, with many classes aimed at children being available on YouTube. These include relaxation and meditation exercises where children are asked to imagine walking through forests and mountains and stretching exercises for their whole body.

Videos of pilates classes for kids of different ages are also available online and can help them build strength and flexibility in a low-intensity way.

Make It a Family Affair Get involved in the activities you end up planning.

Adults need to stay active too, and it’s often inspiring for your children to see mum and dad trying alongside them. Rowan, a dad to three, says that his boys especially enjoy trying to beat him at everything they do together, whether that is running, biking, rollerblading, or swimming. They love the chance to “be better than daddy”!

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EDUCATION

LIVING IN DOHA

The Doha Family Guide to University Applications

by Lisa Gay

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xpats are spoiled for choice when it comes to secondary school options in Qatar. But, with all that flexibility, it might be concerning for students and their parents that they will not have the proper qualifications to study at the university of their choice.

So, Doha Family has put together this guide on applying to universities in some of the most popular destinations across the globe.

Qatar Qatar University is the leading public university in the country and is listed among the top 500 universities in the world, according to Times Higher Education (THE). The medium of instruction is either Arabic or English, depending on the department.

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Generally, humanities programmes are in Arabic, with more science-focused departments in English.

The student body is incredibly diverse, with representation from 52 nationalities. It’s also very female-friendly, with women comprising roughly 70 percent of students. As you might expect with such a diverse student body, Qatar University considers several high school curricula. These include the local Qatari Secondary School Certificate, the American GPA system, IGSCEs, the IB (International Baccalaureate), and even the Saudi National Exam.

Another route to consider is the Qatar Foundation (QF) network. QF maintains partnerships with a handful of prestigious Western universities, along with one homegrown university, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). One undersold advantage of attending a private university through the QF network is that by gaining admission to one school, you can subsequently take courses from another university via joint courses or minors. It’s actually a huge advantage to be able to mix coursework from these well-regarded universities (which, in the US, would be thousands of miles apart instead of a few

EDUCATION blocks) to boost academic credentials.

As the majority of the schools are American in origin, they have a few common elements: • Essays: personal essays are a typical application requirement. They’re an opportunity for potential students to highlight a unique aspect of their character or emphasise their reasons for choosing a specific university.

• SAT/ACTS: strictly speaking, these tests are not entrance exams. However, they are usually required for entrance into any American-affiliated university. This requirement has temporarily been dropped because of Covid-19, but don’t be surprised if it pops back up.

• TOEFL/IELTS: non-native English speakers will generally be required to take one of these exams to prove their proficiency in the language.

• Recommendation letters: admissions committees will typically request one or two letters of recommendation from teachers or guidance counsellors.

• Interviews: a less common requirement, some specialised or competitive programmes (particularly for early intakes) will request interviews.

Kuwait

engineering or another hard science. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) are particularly wellregarded in these fields, both domestically and overseas. They have nearly two dozen branches scattered across the subcontinent.

If a student intends to apply to multiple universities, then the Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) will save some effort. This governmentsponsored programme is only available to foreign nationals and children of Indians abroad. The scheme is limited to those intending to study a technical subject like engineering or architecture (see a full list of participating institutes at dasanit. org). One-third of the intakes for the DASA programme are reserved for the children of Indian workers in the Gulf, who also enjoy a 50 percent discount on the application fee and the first year’s tuition.

The downside is that the DASA scheme only allows entrance into NITs (National Institutes of Technology) but not the more prestigious IITs. Also, while DASA formerly used SAT 2 scores to assess students, it seems that in future rounds, applicants will be required to sit the JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) Advanced—a national Indian entrance exam.

If a student is hoping to study at an IIT, then they can apply directly to the schools of their choice.

Kuwait’s universities are a popular choice for GCC residents. Top-rated universities include Kuwait University, Gulf University for Science and Technology, American University of Kuwait, and the American University of the Middle East. They all have their own set of admission standards and generally do not require applicants to sit a standardised exam.

India The English-speaking environment of Indian universities is a great plus for children of expats, especially if they are considering studying Winter 2020 | Issue 16

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EDUCATION

Admittance to the undergraduate programme for the IITs is based upon the JEE Advanced. Both domestic and international students must take this exam to be considered for admission. However, some institutions may accept SAT 2 scores from foreign nationals. Please note that overseas Indian students who still retain their national passport will be considered under the same set of standards as domestic students. The same goes for holders of the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card. Only those holding foreign passports will be treated as international students.

United Kingdom The school system in the United Kingdom encourages early specialisation. So, parents with children who are keen on attending British universities should consider enrolling them in international schools that understand or support the British curriculum. That said, the IB 26

is increasingly recognised and valued by UK admissions committees.

Undergraduate programme applications are generally handled through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Unlike in the American system, you apply for a specific programme within the university rather than the institution itself.

This has some implications for secondary school students. For example, when choosing subjects for the IB Diploma, students should research potential university courses first to ensure they don’t miss out on required coursework. This is especially the case for competitive programmes in medicine and law.

Students can apply for up to five university courses.

Keep in mind that it’s not easy to change majors once courses start, so this step in the application process is extremely important. Other required materials include a personal statement, which should highlight the student’s passion for the applied courses, and a reference letter from a teacher or another relevant person. Some of the more competitive programmes may also require an interview.

EDUCATIONFUN UCAS does an admirable job preparing university admissions teams with relevant information on international school systems and foreign qualifications. Still, a slightly annoying aspect is that you’ll likely have to provide documentation directly to the university to prove the qualifications listed on your initial application. The same goes for TOEFL/ IELTS results. Fortunately, UCAS can send IB results.

The universities will then respond to students, usually in the spring, with unconditional or conditional offers, the latter of which is usually dependent on submitting exam scores. That said, universities will still be filling places into the summer, so late applicants can still be considered on a rolling basis.

United States We’ve explored aspects of the American system in the first section, so we’ll just cover a few additional points. The first is that American university admissions committees have come a long way in recognising international qualifications—particularly those of the IB programme. Instead of worrying about the “right” curriculum, it’s better to focus on earning high scores on the SATs. Most American college-bound students will sit these exams multiple times in hopes of getting a good score.

However, some will hire tutors who can teach them certain strategies to improve their scores. American universities also like to consider the “whole” student and are particularly keen to see applicants involved in both extracurricular and volunteer activities.

It’s a very good idea to check if your or your child’s school offers Advanced Placement (AP) programmes. Not only do these look great on a college application, but they can also earn college credit. This is no small thing when one year of college can cost upwards of USD 40,000/year (around QR 120,000). DF

Winter 2020 | Issue 16

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FAMILY MATTERS

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FAMILY MATTERS

How to Keep Kids (and You) Motivated for Home Learning

By Laura Powell-Corbett

N

o one could have predicted at the start of the lockdown that when the new school year began, it would be with a blended learning model. All over the country, students are now attending school for part of the week, with the rest of their learning happening from home.

Winter 2020 | Issue 16

It’s been a big change. And it’s one where not only have children proven time and time again how resilient they are but also where everyone has had to adapt their expectations. Some parents have had to suddenly balance home learning schedules with full-time work. Others had to juggle part-time work and caring for younger children, in addition to ensuring that their school-aged ones remained engaged and motivated with home learning.

All of this has been tough, to say the least, especially for children who are used to the social nature of learning at school. But with a little bit of optimism and imagination, this journey can be made a little easier on everyone involved.

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FAMILY MATTERS

Establish a Routine

Maintain Accountability

Knowing what is coming next helps provide the stability that kids need to work. For example, knowing that there is a break after English but before maths can set them up for the day. Sandra, a mum of two and an early years teacher, says that children, particularly younger ones, thrive on routine. You can set up a visual (or written, if they’re older) timetable so they can keep track of their day and what is expected from them. Plus, this also serves as an excellent teaching opportunity by getting the children to read what you’ve written to them or tell the time!

Maybe you feel like you’re struggling to motivate your children, that you’re the taskmaster and cracking the whip. But remember that the burden doesn’t have to all fall on you as a parent.

Charlotte, a mum to four, passes some of the responsibility onto her children.

She encourages them to plan their workload on their own using home-learning specific journals and planners. By allowing them to write in their journals and decorate them how they see fit, they have the chance to take ownership of them and feel a sense of pride.

Another top tip could be to organise homeschool learning within your child’s bubble, or if that doesn’t work, check-ins with friends in the same grade. Children are great motivators for one another, and often just knowing that someone else is going through the same thing will help them crack on with what has been set.

Don’t Panic If You Deviate There will be days when it’s all too much, and it’s okay on those days to step back and take a breather. Heidi Allen, an associate professor at Columbia University, recently shared on Twitter that when her 11-year-old was struggling to do his maths work, his teacher told him to leave it for the day and play instead. Sometimes rest is all that is needed to be able to get back in line the next day.

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FAMILY MATTERS

Appreciate the Differences

Incorporate Regular Breaks

Learning at home is not the same as learning at school. School is a social hub where children and teachers can bounce off one another, and energy levels stay high through the school day. Some of what may hold students’ attention for thirty minutes in a school environment would see children glazing over at home.

Similarly, a lesson that takes fifty minutes at school could be condensed to twenty minutes at home. This is because the learning environment is different and what usually needs to be explained in multiple ways to the whole class might only need to be explained once to a child who will then be able to complete the activity.

We need to remember and appreciate that learning at home will have our children facing different challenges to those at school.

Sitting in front of a screen for hours on end can be demotivating. Incorporating regular breaks for food, water, and just to stretch can make a world of difference to concentration levels.

One teacher here in Doha who would only identify as “S” recommends breaking the day down into much smaller chunks than you might think are necessary. Even then, she says you may need to break it down further, depending on the needs of the child. In between each of these smaller segments, allow your children to move, drink water, and get away from it all.

Michael, a dad to two, recommends going outside during these breaks whenever possible, especially now that the temperature is down. These breaks really blow away the cobwebs and have everyone feeling fresh and ready to get back down to work!

Set Up Their Workspaces Whether your child is the kind who needs to be around others working at the kitchen table or they prefer their room instead, they need a consistent place to work and stay in the right frame of mind.

Michael, a dad to three teenage girls, found that each of his daughters needed to have space and quiet away from each other to be able to concentrate. So, he ensured that they all had the tools and equipment they needed in their rooms to allow them to work before coming together to enjoy common breaks.

Winter 2020 | Issue 16

Praise Their Little and Big Efforts We often take it for granted that children will arrive on time, armed with the correct tools to learn.

In a world where everything has shifted, these seemingly little things don’t always happen without many (many!) reminders. Praise them when they remember to arrive with their books or raise their hands instead of shouting out. Praise them even for 31

FAMILY MATTERS greeting teachers and classmates politely on Zoom.

Doing this will remind them to keep at it and will keep them motivated.

All kids like praise, whether it’s for being named their class’s “Star of the Week” or by having some amazing work recognised. It’s even the case when they’re celebrated just for remembering to raise their hand. Praise will motivate them to keep trying their hardest.

Adjust Your Expectations These are not normal times—timetables have been cut in half and schools are trying to fit in all teaching that was “missed” in past months. So, it is only natural for children to be a little behind where others their age group may have been in previous years.

Try not to compare their progress to where they normally “should” be and instead, praise how far they have come during the lockdown and the other skills they have learnt. Ann, a mum to two, says that she had seen a huge benefit to her children’s efforts and a boost to their confidence when she started acknowledging their new skills. Examples of these included managing their workload, using Zoom like pros, managing a diary of online appointments, submitting their work before deadlines, and doing independent research.

Engage with the Technology Children still want to feel part of the classroom, and many schools have acknowledged this by using various educational applications such as Times Tables Rockstars, Epic, and Drops. These allow them to compete, co-operate, and collaborate with their peers, bringing a little bit of the classroom home.

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FAMILY MATTERS

Indulge in Rewards

Final Thoughts

At the end of the school day, allow your children to indulge in their “reward”. With screens featuring highly in their home learning, you may find that playing the latest video game or watching the next episode of their favourite series may not have the same allure it used to. Instead, time with family and friends may be higher on their list of priorities because of the absence of the high levels of interpersonal interaction offered by the in-school day. Trips to the swimming pool, bike rides, visits to the park, and baking together might be things your child would like to do after finishing their school day. These would give them something to look forward to and a chance for you to decompress together.

Motivating your children when home learning can, at times, feel like an uphill struggle. It’s not always easy to remember that this is an unprecedented time and that we have never experienced schools closing on a global level. Whatever you’re doing and however you’re doing it, you are still doing an excellent job, even on the days where it doesn’t feel like it. These tips from readers, parents, and teachers show how creatively we are all approaching home learning—and that is motivation in itself. DF

Winter 2020 | Issue 16

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self-care tips for blended learning by emma morrell

S

elf-care is critical at any time.

But during a pandemic, and while juggling work and familylife with blended learning, it is even more important to take care of our mental health for the sake of ourselves and everyone around us. Self-care should extend to every member of your family, as kids are finding these circumstances just as difficult as adults.

So, here are some simple yet effective tips to keep the whole family on an even keel.

Mental Self-care The benefits of doing small but consistent actions have long been touted as essential in any successful self-care routine. Engaging in habits such as meditation, using affirmations, and journalling are excellent ways to reduce stress levels and anxiety.

And there are several apps to get you started.

Headspace and Calm can help with meditation and 34

The Five Minute Journal is a great way to get started with journalling. If you prefer the physical act of writing, there is a range of journals available in local shops. “Journaling is what you make it, and, if you can only spare a few minutes, that’s okay; seeing your thoughts on paper can give context and clarity to your goals, which might be just what you need to get them into action,” says Carina Lawson. Carina lives in Doha and is the founder of Ponderlily, an ethically sourced stationery brand centred around intentional, inspired, and sustainable living.

Another area of self-care is self-awareness: know your mental and physical limits. For example, being “touched out” is a term often reserved for new mums experiencing sensory overload from the physical demands of their baby, child, or children.

But since the Covid-19 outbreak, this phenomenon has affected parents worldwide, regardless of geography, race, or even the age of their children.

Being aware that this is a common feeling and knowing how to manage it is imperative to keeping a harmonious balance at home.

Physical Self-care Many people underestimate the link between good physical health and good mental health. Getting

regular exercise, including a balance of cardio, strength training, and flexibility is ideal. Practices such as yoga or pilates are great ways to link physical and mental exercises. Physical self-care extends far beyond just exercise, however. Make sure your family is enjoying a balanced diet as well as getting enough sleep, and, where possible, spending some time outside for some fresh air and a change of scenery. Remember to also wear masks and practice good hand hygiene to minimise the risk of infection to yourself and those around you.

Minimise the Side Effects of Mask Wearing Be aware of how to mitigate the physical and mental strains from wearing masks. Some regular mask-wearers have reported temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. TMJ pain can be a result of jawclenching, a common habit with mask-wearers. A LinkedIn article by Donald R Tanenbaum, a TMJ specialist, suggests the following: • Some masks fit tightly and pull the jaw upwards, creating tension. Consider wearing slightly looser masks in low-risk situations.

• Ear loops can cause pain and discomfort from your ears, across your jaw joints, and into the face.

They can even cause headaches. Consider using “ear savers” to reduce ear pulling.

• Masks can also change head and neck positions leading to jaw pain, so make sure you do regular exercises to keep neck muscles loose and wellstretched.

• Smile! Under your mask you may have your lips pursed with your jaw/teeth clenched, and you may be holding your breath. Smiling can keep lips loose and teeth apart. Plus, concentrating on breathing can relax your jaw.

also worsen anxiety symptoms. To reduce these effects, remove your mask when you get home and take some long, deep breaths to re-centre yourself.

Many schools are now distinguishing between lockdown learning (imposed on everyone involved at short notice with little preparation) and blended learning (a more proactive approach). On the one hand, teachers who had been trained to teach in classrooms found themselves on Zoom calls. On the other, children who were used to seeing their classmates were stuck within the four walls of their own homes. This is now being described by some as “crisis learning”. But blended learning has the advantage of creating some time and distance from those first video calls as there is some level of in-person interaction. Schools have also since learnt lessons about what worked and what did not.

There are many lessons that we can apply from our first few weeks of being stuck inside to our current, newer “new normal”.

Wearing masks out and about is currently the new normal, but this can also act as a constant reminder of the pandemic and increase your anxiety levels.

Intermittent breath holding (mentioned above) can Winter 2020 | Issue 16

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school and home life such as a bike ride around your compound before and after “school”, as well as staying tuned for signs of burnout in kids and redirecting them to a completely unrelated task if that happens.

Find a Routine Only you and your family know what is best for you. Wherever possible, create a routine that works for you all. This could be arranging lunchtime to accommodate a working parent or heading to the pool each day to give everyone a chance to recharge and reset.

Keeping normal routines such as making the bed, brushing teeth, scheduling break times, or having a regular call with a grandparent, can go a long way in helping everyone feel more secure in their home environment.

Set Boundaries The difficulty with blended learning is that, as with full-time online schooling, there is little to create a divide between school and home.

Avoiding burnout is easier said than done when there is set work to do. One way to do this is to create a separate workspace to try to keep home and school separate. While it is not always possible to have a room dedicated to online learning, there are still ways to separate it from home life. You can try setting up a dedicated space for home learning within a room to help get kids in the “zone”, or clearing away the debris of learning by dinner time to make way for family time. Other things that can help are having transitions between 36

Socialise As expats, our social network is paramount to our wellbeing. Without our support systems of family and friends back home, we find ourselves relying heavily on new friends for logistical and emotional help. Covid-19 has taken much of that away with lockdowns and restrictions on gatherings. There are still plenty of ways we can connect such as small gatherings, video calls, or exchanging voice and text messages. Those quiz nights that took off during lockdown need not stop now, especially when there are still many restrictions in place. Never underestimate the value of a good laugh with a friend, a vent with a colleague, or a cry on someone’s shoulder. This works both ways: remember, if you are struggling

with the situation, the chances are someone you know is also having a hard time. Don’t forget to check in with those who are closest to you—you never know whose day you might brighten.

Support Others When we are feeling down, it can be tempting to put others down or look for their faults to make ourselves feel better. But, a 2017 study quoted in Psychology Today found that making a positive difference in someone else’s life and having other compassionate goals had a positive impact on symptoms in a sample of adults with depression, anxiety, or both. “Doing things for other people has the same effect on your body chemistry as doing something for yourself,” says Polly Bagely, a former Doha resident and founder of Follow Your Sunshine Coaching. Lesson learned: helping others helps us too. And what better reason is there to do it?

Focus on You

triggers as well as those of your family. Cut yourself some slack—there are no prizes for getting the most work done during blended learning, and the costs of ignoring your mental health could be too much to bear. Stay grounded in your own life and stay attentive and intentional. Know when trouble is looming and when something is really wrong or in need of intervention. The solution might be as simple as some help from your child’s school who will be more than happy to help support you.

Get Help Ultimately, you might have tried all of these suggestions and more. You might have gone as far as you can to make things better, but it is still hard to cope. If that is the case, there are many options available to you in Qatar to get professional mental or physical health help. Remember that you do not have to do all of this alone, and that it is okay to get help so you can be the best version of yourself for you and your family. DF

With more time spent this year indoors (and in our family’s pockets) there is less time for ourselves.

Still, there are plenty of ways to get some alone time, from getting up a few minutes before everyone else to going for a pampering session at your local spa. Even making the effort to put on nice clothes or having a longer-than-normal shower can do wonders for how you feel about yourself.

If you’re feeling energetic, how about learning something new or putting yourself out there by making a new friend or making a big leap in your professional life?

Trust Your Instincts Ultimately, the overriding message of this article is to be kind to yourself. Know your boundaries and Winter 2020 | Issue 16

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EDUCATION

7 top onLine education platformS for adults By lisa gay

A

dult education is often spurred by a major life change or maybe even a crisis. Job loss is probably the biggest motivator, but serious illness, divorce, or relocation abroad (particularly as a trailing spouse) are all common reasons to undertake further education.

But you shouldn’t wait for a life (or, indeed, global) crisis to hit to start updating your skillset. Keep current with your industry, or add a useful skill from another field to future-proof your career. And since we all have a little bit more time at home due to the ongoing pandemic, why not take advantage of these online learning outlets that make learning widely accessible?

Winter 2020 | Issue 16

1. Udemy Best for: general learners Udemy has an astonishingly large database of roughly 100,000 online learning courses covering a vast range of fields. Courses vary wildly in price— some are free, while others cost hundreds of US dollars. They have near-constant sales, however, so it’s a good idea to wait to see the “real” price of the course.

While the courses are high-quality on the production side, the actual content is less certain.

You should ensure that qualified professionals are organising the course (which means doing background research on the teacher and reviewing the syllabus). The upside is that Udemy offers a 30-day refund policy in case the course isn’t up to your standards, and class materials are permanently 39

EDUCATION made available to your account (in case you are a bit of a procrastinator).

by Laurie Santos, a Yale University psychology professor.

2. Coursera

3. edX

Best for: affordable degrees/certifications

Best for: the humanities

Coursera offers thousands of university programmes and courses through their platform, so you know you are getting a high-quality product.

The paid version even offers accreditation through partnered universities and corporations, including some huge names like Stanford and Google, which is perfect for those looking to update their CV. Expect individual courses to cost USD 39 (around QR 156) and up, with full degrees starting at USD 9,000 (around QR 36,000). There are also a couple of options in between, including “specialisations” to master a specific skill. While the degrees are not exactly cheap, they are still far more of a bargain than on-campus versions. If credentials aren’t as important to you—or you just love free stuff— auditing the course (taking it for free) is a viable option when available.

While the hard sciences and IT are the most subscribed Coursera options, one of the most popular courses is “The Science of Well-Being”

EdX is another online platform that uses university content but has some key differences from Coursera. For starters, you can’t get a full bachelor’s degree on the platform yet. You can, however, get a master’s degree or take accredited courses that can be transferred to a more traditional university.

For most adult learners, however, the course completion certifications noting affiliation with top universities like Harvard and MIT will be enough.

There is a broader range of courses in the humanities on edX, so the overall breadth of offerings is superior. Due to their non-profit status, all courses are fully auditable, and it is much, much easier to access this option, as we find this feature is often (intentionally?) hidden by Coursera.

4. LinkedIn Learning Best for: soft business skills The business social media network’s foray into adult education, LinkedIn Learning offers a dizzying array of courses split into three general areas: business, creative, and technology. While you can purchase individual courses for around USD 20 (around QR 80), the platform heavily encourages you to take out a subscription for USD 30/month (around QR 120) to access all the courses on offer—and you can try before you buy with a free month.

While the price tag seems hefty for a platform that does not offer accredited certification, it does include LinkedIn Premium. So if you are upgrading your skills while looking for a new job, this might be a good option for you. A particularly fun feature is the ability to see what courses your connections have “liked” and the courses and videos that are popular among your industry peers. Also, if such

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EDUCATION things matter to you, adorable little badges can be added to your LinkedIn profile after completing a course.

5. MasterClass Best for: creatives The MasterClass platform takes itself very, very seriously. But then again, when you have luminaries such as Anna Wintour, Martin Scorsese, Gordon Ramsay, and David Sedaris on your platform, you can perhaps be a little snooty. They currently have videos from almost 100 famous professionals in a variety of fields, including media, photography, fashion, the culinary arts, filmmaking, music, and even sports.

Offering valuable insight into particular pursuits, MasterClass gives you an unvarnished look into the career paths of these creative professionals.

Most courses are split into 15–20 sections, with a 10-minute lecture in each, so you get several hours of content from your chosen instructor. While the platform is somewhat lacking in hard skills (you won’t be handing in essays to Ms Wintour, after all), their raison d‘être is inspiration. And the price they put on inspiration comes to a tidy USD 15/month (around QR 60).

6. Codecademy Best for: IT skills I am a journalist, so I get told to “learn to code” a lot. Well, it has never been easier to do so with all the platforms out there that can teach you everything from BASIC to Malbolge. And while many of the platforms referenced earlier do offer programming classes, they cannot match Codecademy for its task-based instruction and sheer ease of use. All you need is a working web browser to practice coding. Sure, you will eventually want to download all the associated applications for whatever computer language Winter 2020 | Issue 16

you are working with, but it’s nice to have a solid background first before potentially spending hours installing them.

Oh—and they are free! Although you can pay for a premium account, which gives you additional support, curated coursework, and certificates of completion.

7. Duolingo Best for: a language refresher Learning a foreign language takes dedication—it’s not something you can effectively pick up through an app or online learning platform. The same really applies to Duolingo in that we only recommend it as a supplement to your primary method of study.

All that said, Duolingo is a fantastic tool if you did study a language or two in school—even if that was a decade or two ago. Take a quiz to match your level to the app or website, and then work through the suggested lessons that cover reading and speaking (and writing, to a lesser degree).

With bright, cheery graphics and a colourful interface, Duolingo feels like a mobile game and is a great way to amuse yourself while waiting your turn at the bank counter. DF 41

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FAMILY MATTERS

Family, food & culture

By Kim Wyatt

D

o you have memories of your favourite childhood food?

Perhaps you can you recall the smells, sights, and sounds of your grandmother cooking in the kitchen. What about all your childhood celebrations that were filled with food and family? There’s no doubt that many of us have fond food-related memories.

Food is an important link to our past and a framework for our future. As Winter 2020 | Issue 16

expats—whether in Qatar or elsewhere— moving to a new country often means adapting to and rebuilding a new way of life. But food remains an integral part of our identity and helps to maintain a connection to our homelands.

Now more than ever, cooking has become an essential part of our daily lives. And passing down family recipes from one generation to the next is a great way to teach children about family history and cultural ties.

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DEEPSHIKHA SAHNI Originally from India, Deepshikha Sahni firmly believes that “food is an expression of culture and a great point of connecting back to one’s history and background”.

It’s clear that this long-term Qatar resident has a passion for the rich cultural heritage and traditions of her homeland.

She says, “in India, the common thread that binds the country is [a] love and passion for food. Meals are eaten together. We live by the famous saying ‘a family that eats together stays together’”. Like most families with busy everyday lives juggling work and school, Deepshikha favours her kitchen as the perfect place to bond with her family: “Our kitchen is the heart of the home and the place where our family tends to meet up to discuss the day.”

Like many people, Deepshikha’s childhood food memories revolve around the matriarchs in her family: “I still have memories of my mum’s and grandmother’s meals, and I try to imbibe the same flavours into my own food.” In fact, Deepshikha has a range of delicious recipes handed down from her grandparents, including spiced mutton, mint chutney, and semolina kheer. “My mother is an expert at making parathas (Indian flatbread) and has taught me the art of making them deliciously crisp,” she says.

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Naina, Deepshikha’s 16-year-old daughter, has also inherited the family’s passion for cooking. She enjoys whipping up Indian dishes such as curry and scrambled paneer, plus a wide range of global classics.

Evidently, Deepshikha is proud of her daughter’s culinary skills, despite her own interest in cooking starting much later in life: “When I got married, I was completely clueless about cooking! I didn’t even know how to cook rice!” Deepshikha says she used to spend hours on the phone with her mother while chopping and cooking according to her precise instructions. She says that her mum was the “best available teacher” and that she would ask her questions about the tiniest details. Today, it seems that this family’s culinary traditions continue.

DEEPSHIKHA’S TOP TIPS FOR COOKING WITH KIDS • Make cooking a fun activity.

• Give children small chores to do in the kitchen.

• Give children lots of praise as this will motivate them to return to the kitchen over and over again!

RANA KHATIB Rana Khatib’s Palestinian childhood home was full of deliciously comforting meals cooked up by her mother and shared daily with the whole family.

“Growing up, my mama did everything! She’s a pro in the kitchen. Fast, efficient, and a proper sit beit— an Arabic term for the ‘woman of the house: the woman who runs the show’! Most importantly, she was the one who always brought us together around the kitchen table, where we shared our stories and memories,” she says.

However, it wasn’t until Rana married her husband Khaled that she finally set foot into the kitchen: “I never had a real interest in the kitchen except for eating my mama’s delicious food! Fast forward to 2016, and I got married. My husband and I had to figure it out ourselves.” But the more Rana got stuck in, the more she realised the importance of cooking. “It’s not only the result that makes it so special but the process of creating something with so much love,” she says.

With an obvious passion for food, does Rana have any family favourites? Her answer: “This is such a tough question—I feel like so many recipes are connected to different memories and seasons.

A few of our favourite traditional recipes are maqloubeh, molokhia, and any freekeh (an ancient grain found in Middle Eastern cuisine) dish.” Rana emphasises that she never cooks a traditional dish without messaging her mother and listening to her audio responses. According to Rana, most of her mother’s recipes were either passed down from her own mother or were ones she recreated.

For Rana, family and cultural celebrations are an opportunity for food to take centre stage—it’s the perfect way to bring people together: “Every big celebration is centred around food. I remember growing up in my parents’ house, and my mama would spend at least a day in the kitchen preparing a feast for our guests. This is the same in most traditions and cultures; food is basically the binding element that connects people from across the Winter 2020 | Issue 16

world.” Inspired by her mother’s cooking style, Rana replicates the same generous hospitality at home: “In our house, if someone is coming over for tea, we have to bake something to honour their presence.

Imagine walking into a home with that smell of freshly baked cookies or cake—it just gives you a feeling of warmth and love”.

Rana’s passion for food, family, and her Palestinian culture inspired her business venture: a range of pre-packaged food using traditional Arabic ingredients and flavours. “A few years into [my] marriage, I realised that something was missing in our home. We were eating healthy and ‘clean’ food, but my mama’s love and the memories were missing. I started to realise the importance of tradition. Traditional recipes come from stories of migration, stories of agriculture, and stories of humble beginnings,” she says.

Rana believes that traditional recipes represent generations of strength, resilience, and love. She attributes a lot of what she now knows about 45

Palestinian heritage to cooking those recipes and learning about the history behind the ingredients.

Take freekeh, for example: “Freekeh is something I am proud of cooking. Freekeh was extremely popular in Palestine, and a lot of families used it in every dish—more so than rice. Now I feel like I am serving history, nutrition, and love all in one sitting.”

Rana now has the chance to pass down her all tried and tested recipes to her young son, Yousef, aged two: “I finally recognise the importance of cooking food at home. I introduced cooking to my son before he turned two and he absolutely loves it!”

Rana believes that cooking encourages kids to experiment with different ingredients and gain a love for all types of food. She also thinks that it is a great learning tool that engages their senses.

It’s been years since her early days in the kitchen, but Rana is thankful she embarked on her culinary journey: “Learning to cook has made me realise the importance of the creative process and [the] raw aspect of cooking. I am so grateful I see cooking in this light now. It makes my family love and appreciate food a lot more.”

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RANA’S TOP TIPS FOR COOKING WITH KIDS • Cooking doesn’t need to be so “by the book”, and it doesn’t have to be about the end result.

• Be patient and understand that every single moment is another memory, another lesson, and another piece of the puzzle that will bind your love together.

• Enjoy the process!

SAMINA MOGHUL For Samina Moghul and her family, the start of the weekend is the perfect time to bring the family together for a delicious array of cultural favourites.

She says, “every Friday, we make an extra effort to eat a traditional Pakistani-style breakfast. It’s very important to have family time in any way possible.

One of the best ways is through cooking together, and I believe food creates an integral connection to our identity and culture”.

Samina’s parents moved from their homeland, Pakistan, to start a new life in Kenya before eventually settling in the UK where Samina grew up with what she calls “an extended family”. Her childhood memories are filled with her mother’s delectable dishes: “Nobody’s [cooking] beats my mum’s cooking! My mother inherited her cooking skills and is known to make the most delicious curries, especially vegetarian dishes. They are simply mouth-watering!”

Samina also sings her aunt’s praises, saying that she “has the most perfect touch to cooking”. She says, “her dishes just get better every time we visit in the summer”.

With many cultures around the world, celebrations are the perfect occasion for showcasing culinary talent. For Samina and her family, doing so is a family affair: “Looking at history, you can see that food is the most important factor in all celebrations.

For my family, we plan and prepare everything well in advance.” For her, the best thing about the whole process is how everyone in the family plays a role—

whether they’re chopping, marinating, or setting up the table. “My mum is known to make her most popular gulab jamun dessert (deep-fried round dumplings marinated in a sweet syrup) which we often serve during weddings and parties,” she says.

A common (food) theme seems to run through Samina’s and her husband’s families: she and her husband, Nadeem, grew up in households where barbecuing played an integral role in their families’ food experiences. “My dad simply loves barbecues and always brings the family together over a full-on barbecue! My father-in-law is known as the expert in the arena of barbecues,” she says.

Samina attributes her and her husband’s top-notch meat marination skills to both patriarchs. Their recipes, she says, have also been passed down the generations.

Now, Samina’s children also enjoy spending time in the kitchen. Her son Yusuf, aged 10, is enamoured with cooking shows and wants to try the recipes he sees. “He prepares all the ingredients according to [the correct] measurements and then follows the recipe step-by-step. Sometimes he likes to cook without following a recipe, and it tastes just as amazing!” She says. Plus, her daughter Aisha, aged 14, loves to bake and whip up sweet treats.

There’s no doubt that food has played a vital role in Samina’s childhood and adult life. For her, cooking with the family brings many benefits such as tightening family bonds, encouraging creativity, and “bringing a great deal of blessings” (this

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being one of her mother’s favourite expressions).

But perhaps, more importantly, food has a more instrumental part to play in her children’s lives. “It is important for this generation to know their roots and to connect with their culture,” says Samina. And food is undoubtedly one of the keys to that.

SAMINA’S TOP TIPS FOR COOKING WITH KIDS • Help each other in the kitchen by chopping up and preparing ingredients.

• Create a rota system so family members can work together.

• Replicate an episode of the TV cooking programme MasterChef and ask everyone to prepare a different meal. DF

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Student Self-Care: Keep Your Table Stable Sponsored by American School of Doha

By Jen Hammonds

T

he start of the school year has come and gone, and since then, so have many other events. It is hard to believe that so much time has passed! As we have been in school for most of the first semester now, it is a good time to check-in with ourselves.

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Keeping Your Table Stable When getting to know students, I often teach a simple strategy to help them check-in with themselves by focusing on four key areas of their health: hydration, nutrition, exercise, and sleep.

I ask students: “How are you doing keeping your table stable?” I explain that there are four legs to a table, and you need all of the legs to keep the “table stable”. No leg is any more or less important than the other legs, and all are needed to stay balanced. Keeping the table stable is necessary to give ourselves the best chance to not just survive, but to thrive, personally and intellectually.

Questions to Help with Each Leg • HYDRATION: ask yourself what you know about the benefits of staying hydrated. For instance, did you know that drinking enough water helps to keep your brain functioning at its best? Do you bring a water bottle to school? How often do you refill it?

Do you slowly sip water throughout the day?

• NUTRITION: eating a balanced, varied diet also helps you stay alert and energised. So, what foods do you like to eat? And do you know what types they are—carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fruits, or vegetables? Do you make sure to eat regular meals and snacks?

• EXERCISE: exercise does not only make our bodies strong, but it also helps us stay focused and keeps us active. How do you like to stay active?

Do you like to get moving with your family? What activities would you like to try?

• SLEEP: getting enough sleep helps us stay refreshed and able to do the things we enjoy. To help you stay on track, ask yourself the following: What time do you go to bed, and what time do you 50

wake up? Do you fall asleep easily? Do you know what REM sleep is and why it’s important? Did you know that some apps can help you sleep better? Your parents can help you out with the last two.

TIP: If you’re struggling to fall asleep, instead of counting sheep, why not use the A to Z Gratitude Strategy? All you need to do is name a person, place, or thing you are grateful for using each letter of the alphabet.

(I have yet to make it past the letter “L” when I use this myself!)

Get to Know Yourself Check-in with yourself once a week to see how you are doing and make adjustments where necessary.

Ask someone to help hold you accountable—a parent, a teacher, a coach, a counsellor, or another trusted adult in your life. Determine if you need to share with anyone, get help from anyone, take action, or rebalance things.

Most of us spend a lot of time believing that the thing that is making it difficult for us to learn or is creating stress in our lives is something outside of ourselves. We tend to think that our problems relate to family, friends, schoolwork, or extracurricular activities. But we rarely stop and check the basics.

Keeping our table stable will truly enable us to function at our best, to learn more about ourselves, and to enjoy our lives more. It gives us a head start and promotes resilience. Instead of getting frustrated, try checking to see if your table is stable.

Once you’ve checked in with yourself, try to also see how your family members and friends are doing.

Other Self-care Strategies • Make adequate time for yourself by scheduling enough breaks throughout the day and taking time to do things you enjoy.

• R emember that it is okay to say “no”.

• Don’t isolate yourself, but also keep in mind that spending some alone time to practise self-care is a good thing.

• Watch out for warning signs. These include instances when people cross the limits in their behaviour with you. Other warning signs to look for: needing to numb your feelings; finding it difficult to focus on tasks; always feeling bored, tired, or burnt out; missing assignments.

• Seek out professional counselling or therapy for support.

• You can also use the resources available at your school to get help by getting support from teachers, counsellors, coaches, and nurses. If possible, join peer support groups with people your age so you can relate to people who might be going through the same things.

• Accept that you are human and someone who needs help sometimes. We are all works in progress. Do not try to be perfect, have it all, or do it all. Know your limits and be realistic.

Jen is married to James Hammonds, who teaches fifth grade at ASD, and they have two daughters, Ashley (20) and Sydney (19), who also graduated from ASD. Jen loves being a counsellor and supporting students and families in Qatar.

To learn more about Jen’s work at ASD, visit the school’s website at asd.sch.qa.

Strong Transitions, Safe Transitions Each year you will experience transitions in life, and you may need support when they happen. These changes can feel overwhelming, along with all the other things happening in your life. If you need help adapting to these changes, please do not be afraid to reach out to your school counsellors—we are here to help!

Jen Hammonds is a middle school counsellor at the American School of Doha (ASD), where she has worked for the past ten years.

She is originally from Houston, Texas and had received her Bachelor of Science in English and Secondary Education from Vanderbilt University.

After receiving her Masters in Counseling, she worked as a learning specialist at Hong Kong International School for several years before moving to Qatar.

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FAMILY MATTERS

Doha Dad Talks:

Celebrating the First Day of Online Classes

By Precioso L. Tano, PhD

J

ust because our son’s first day of school was online, it didn’t mean we couldn’t make it special. Yes, back to school this year may have looked different, but still, there was a lot to celebrate! We survived several months of quarantine and our son, Rex Tyler, was starting a new grade. This year, he was going to meet his new classmates and teachers as a grade eight student at Philippine School Doha.

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Preparations Before our son’s first day of virtual classes, we had an end-of-summer countdown. This helped him wrap his head around the upcoming changes in schedule and daily life. We printed a simple calendar and had him write down memories from his summer in quarantine and the things he was grateful for.

We prepared his back-to-school materials. This involved purchasing some new school supplies as well as reusing some of his old ones. This allowed us to save a bit and minimise our expenses!

We set up his study area with a desk and chair and organised the books, notebooks, and other supplies in his cabinets. We also got him a new laptop and accessories, including a printer.

FAMILY MATTERS

Day One We started our son’s first day with a special back-toschool breakfast—a special thanks to my wife, Carol, who prepared it for us!

And as we do every year, we took some photos.

Photos are already a part of our back-to-school routine, and there’s no reason for us to not keep taking and posting them on our social media accounts!

Another thing we decided to start this year is leaving notes of encouragement on his desk. This is something that we might do more often while he learns from home.

We also encouraged our son to start a journal so that he could record his daily experiences. This will also help him reflect on what he’s learnt, as well as his feelings. It might even serve as an artefact— something he can use to look back on this unique year.

a Minecraft challenge was probably a good idea at that point.

Finally, we set some goals together for the school year. My wife and I sat down with him and talked about the things that he needed to achieve this year. We asked him to make a list of all his interests so that we could revisit it at the end of the school year and see how much he’s learnt.

Truly, the beginning of this school year was very stressful. However, with blessings and wisdom from above, this new way of learning can be a great opportunity to start new practices, traditions, and gain a new mindset. Thus, there are reasons to celebrate life despite this pandemic! DF

After School Our son was elated that day one was over! We then celebrated with treats—the ice cream was ready!

And we were all excited to talk about his day.

After that, we allowed him to have a Zoom afterschool play date with his friends. This gave him space to talk about his day with friends, and plus,

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EDUCATION

Learning the Montessori Way Sponsored by Redwood Montessori Nursery

By Samantha Naughton and Misfa Farook

T

he years between birth and age six are the most important part of a child’s development and form the basis of their character and personality. It is during these years that children learn empathy, morality, and decision-making skills, as well as how to express their thoughts, ideas, and emotions. Children need to be given the right foundation and environment to instil these values and develop. They need to be allowed the freedom to explore and make choices throughout their days. The Montessori method 54

does this by taking children’s education outside the classroom. It influences the way they interact with others and allows them to have more freedom at home. It teaches them to care for themselves, their environment, and others. In short, it teaches them how to be active participants in their learning and everyday environment. Montessori teaches a child how to discover the world by giving them the freedom to choose their path. And during that process, the role of the adults involved is to guide, not hinder.

EDUCATION

Freedom in Montessori Settings A Montessori classroom is a carefully planned and prepared environment. Everything is at the child’s level and therefore, easily accessible to them.

It caters to each child’s personal interests using concrete materials that are presented individually or in small groups. Once the teacher presents the material to the child, the child has the opportunity to explore how to use it purposefully. Each material has a built-in control of error, allowing the child to self-correct without the assistance of an adult.

When a child shows an interest in something, the teacher acts as a guide and does not hinder the process by over facilitating. The teacher is a directress who provides further extensions of materials and information so that the child can absorb the experience as much as possible.

Allowing the child to do for themselves what an adult would often do for them is also essential.

Enter a Montessori pre-primary room, and you will see three-year-olds sweeping the floor with childsized brooms. You will even spot them washing the dishes at sinks just their height or folding washcloths that are the right size for their hands.

The pride you see in these children who can “do it themselves” without asking for help from an adult is incredible.

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Additionally, as young children are not meant to sit for long periods, the Montessori classroom is equipped to allow them to move around and explore freely. Forcing a child to sit for extended periods hinders their creativity because it leaves them frustrated and takes away the joy of learning that they naturally have.

Conversely, giving children responsibility towards their learning instils inner discipline from an early age. Once a child is engrossed in an activity, adults do not interrupt them and allow them as much time as needed. These strategies help further develop children’s concentration and independence as well as teach them how to self-regulate their physical and emotional behaviours.

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EDUCATION

Socialisation and Emotional Development During the early years, sometimes there is too much focus on whether a child knows numbers and letter sounds, or can hold a pencil or write.

This can cause us to forget the importance of their social and emotional development. But in the Montessori philosophy, children are encouraged to express ideas and thoughts independently and think analytically. They are also given the support they need to gain confidence when speaking in a group and develop listening skills, respect for peers, concentration, and problem-solving skills.

Without nurturing these abilities first, a future focus on academics will not be as beneficial for the child.

The Montessori Child and Teacher The Montessori approach encourages socialising and learning with other students, providing what is called “freedom within limits”. So, how is this achieved? While children are free to explore and learn from a variety of activities, they are given parameters within which they can explore. Grace and courtesy are fostered in each child, and they are all encouraged to respect one another. Children learn to use “please” and “thank you” as they learn etiquette and how to socialise with others.

Montessori children are able to identify what they need and successfully communicate that 56

information. The teacher knows and respects each child as an individual and not just another preschooler and, as a result, gains knowledge of their interests. For teachers to teach on an individual level, they must observe, mentor, and guide the child towards reaching their potential.

Each child learns differently and at a different pace. Hence, Montessori’s recognition of sensitive periods in children’s development and teachers’ daily observations are both integral to the child’s learning and progress.

Teachers are also referred to as “directresses” because the Montessori philosophy recognises them as collaborative members of each child’s learning process. By taking this non-traditional role, teachers make room for students to manage their own classroom experience.

The philosophy also revolves around encouraging children not to be discouraged by mistakes, but rather to be galvanised into correcting them on their own, with gentle guidance from their directresses. It’s essential to communicate to children that mistakes do happen and that they can represent learning experiences. Teachers model desired behaviours by leading by example and often roleplaying. They also know that learning from mistakes can help them improve the classroom experience for children.

Moreover, when a child is enthusiastic about something, they are not nagged, nudged, or otherwise pressured to learn more about it because they don’t need to be. After all, creativity is the engine of innovation. So, Montessori teachers, based on sharp observation and daily recordkeeping, maintain specialised, individual teaching plans and goals for each child in the classroom.

EDUCATION These plans help move the children towards new academic, social, and developmental milestones.

Montessori teachers won’t force progress. Instead, they use each child’s curiosity and innate, boundless creativity as the fuel to propel them beyond those milestones.

The Outdoors The outdoor environment also has a significant impact on learning. Montessori children are encouraged to care for the environment through planting, watering flowers, washing windows, and taking care of the outdoors. They also engage in sensory experiences such as sand or water play, painting, and messy play.

These experiences create a space where children feel comfortable, safe, secure, and able to express themselves freely without judgement.

During the challenging recent months, children have spent more time at home than ever. But undoubtedly, parents have learnt how adaptable and resilient children are during this period, something that the Montessori method acknowledges and caters to. A proof of this is how quickly children adapted to the changes Montessori nurseries had to make when they reopened.

years experience where children feel free and heard. Samantha is currently the manager of Tots Corner Nursery and is looking forward to opening Redwood Montessori Nursery.

Misfa Farook is a certified early childhood educator and teacher trainer. She is currently the deputy manager of Tots Corner Nursery. She also holds a Level 5 Qualification in Education and Training and is a certified Montessori teacher for infancy, primary, and elementary levels. For over ten years, Misfa has taught young children in different parts of the world and takes pleasure in bringing positive changes in children’s lives.

Evidence-based Finally, it’s important to emphasise the fact that Montessori is not just an organic, holistic approach to education—it is scientifically proven to work.

Research shows that it has academic advantages and that Montessori children have more advanced social and emotional development than children taught in traditional classrooms.

Samantha Naughton has worked in early years for over 16 years. She is qualified in primary and elementary Montessori and supervision in childcare.

She is also passionate about creating a positive first Winter 2020 | Issue 16

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Tween talks: Thoughts On Online Learning By julian pires, age 12 What Is Good about Online Learning?

Online learning allows us to properly learn during times like these. If we didn’t have online schooling, most students would not get the chance to keep up with the academic system.

In addition to this, it also can be done easily with Zoom calls, and most students these days can access such applications with their own devices. In schools, we normally use Zoom and other applications together to set work, do the lesson face-to-face, and talk to those who do not have access to a working mic.

What Is Bad about Online Learning?

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A lot of students do not pay attention, don’t bother to learn, or just play video games. I’ve noticed this happening quite a few times, and, somehow, the teacher does not notice that the student isn’t paying attention.

Furthermore, online learning can be incredibly confusing. Sometimes, teachers cannot or do not know how to use the applications to make things easier for them and the students. For example, when I had been using Zoom for almost two months, I had only seen one teacher using the “Groups” feature.

This feature is used to separate the students who need a challenge from the ones who find the topic a challenge. I understand that some teachers weren’t taught how to teach online, but I would have liked it if they learnt how to use the applications properly a month into the school year.

Likewise, what makes it more confusing is when students talk about different topics and ask questions all at the same moment. It can be baffling for everyone involved.

What About Mixed Learning?

Mixed learning is when students go to school one day and then do online learning the next. I would personally prefer if schools stuck to either in-person or online learning.

Mixed classes are miles more confusing than online ones. I think this is because it can get so chaotic when someone online is talking, someone in school is talking, and then the teacher is talking. When I had online classes full-time, I found that most teachers paid more attention and asked more questions to the students who were present in school, physically. This makes it hard for the others to understand the topics being taught. I reckon that teachers should pay more attention to the students online, especially the ones without microphones.

Which Applications Do I Recommend?

I felt that Microsoft Teams was the best software I used as it can host calls, have meeting chats, and let teachers set tasks in the “Assignments” section. It also didn’t lag much, and I always found it reliable. Since this academic year, my school has been using another software, and I find that Teams was noticeably better.

That is why I recommend Microsoft Teams for online classes.

What Can Make Online Learning Better?

Online learning would be so much better if teachers were more attentive during lessons and could spot when a student is confused or not paying attention.

In addition to this, there should be some sort of punishment for students playing games or watching videos during lessons. I haven’t seen or heard of any, yet.

Do I Like Online School?

Yes. It has its drawbacks, but I like it. It’s a good way to learn and keeps students and teachers active even during lockdowns. It could be improved, but I would personally still find school fun, whether it is mixed, online, or in-person. DF

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