KIDS INPERTH
The
Born & Bred in WA
,
OCTOBER 2012
Parents Paper
Great reading • Great competitions • Free ever y month
Collaborative parents raise resilient children imely mediation offers better outcomes for children and parents
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Separation does not have to be harmful to children, it is the conflict between parents that is most damaging. Studies have shown that children exposed to prolonged parental conflict during/after separation experience more adjustment problems, which may impact on future social/intimate relationships, academic performance, and motivation levels. Children with parents that work together are welladjusted, resilient and better able to cope with life’s challenges. Who do you imagine your child will grow up to be? Children are a product of each parent’s attributes and strengths. Both parents are important role models in how they learn to manage conflict. It is important that children experience both parents in their lives, sharing equal responsibility for making decisions relating to children’s emotional, academic and physical development. If parents argue during drop-offs, pass messages through children, children will join in the conflict. How would you like your children to look back on how you handled the separation and
PRICELESS
The developing brain and early literacy By Dr Julia Solomon, Clinical Psychologist hat if?
managed conflict? Imagine your children listening into your conversations, how you manage those difficult decisions together, and what they will think of you both. You can avoid having a judge decide how you spend time with your children by choosing mediation. Take control of your lives and make better decisions with the help of a mediator. The Family Court mandates parents to access Family Dispute Resolution for all child-related matters. Studies show that mediation for parenting matters decreases conflict and offers more practical and sustainable solutions. Mediation works at your pace so that each parent can seek legal advice, and sometimes, trial agreements before reviewing them. Short and long-term agreements may be reached and both clients control all decisions reached. It can help you to build a structured and flexible agreement that considers both households and lifestyles. Most government agencies have a backlog of up to 2 months for an initial appointment and 6 months for subsequent mediation appointments. Aresolution is a boutique agency offering a timely, premium service at affordable rates. To make an appointment phone 1300 ARESOLVE or 08 9467 5996.
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Your four year old shows no interest in the letters of the alphabet or is confused by them? Your child has special needs or does not speak English at home, or is in a family where dyslexia has been evident; and you want to ensure that reading will be achieved? Your preschooler seems ready to read but you are unsure as to the best method and time for introducing reading? You are aware of the scientific reports which state that 75% of the child's brain is formed by age three; and you wonder whether you have missed the opportunity to tap into that brainpower at the optimum time with developmentally appropriate tasks? You have heard about the statistics on literacy which indicate that as many as 50% of pupils leave primary school with inadequate reading skill and you don't want your child to be in the 'at risk' group? If any of these questions strike a chord, then where do you turn? You must seek a programme for language and literacy acquisition which is evidence based and theoretically valid. This means that what is presented to the child as early literacy
tasks, such as the teaching of the alphabet, should be based on the latest findings in neuro-science. These demonstrate that reading acquisition is a function of the child's brain development and should begin with developmentally appropriate steps by the time the child is two. When these understandings inform early childhood education, there will be no need to introduce computers into the programme. The emphasis will remain on unstructured play, so precious in the early childhood period, combined with effective early literacy learning, so essential for the child's future. On 6 November Julia Solomon will be presenting a two hour workshop on how the developing brain can be activated to achieve reading skill at the most appropriate moment for the individual child, and for most children, before formal school begins. The workshop will be of interest to parents, educators and other professionals working with young children. 9.30am-11.30am, $33, Tuesday 6 November (see diary page this issue), Morley Recreation Centre, Wellington Road, Morley. Register now, email info@worldliteracy.com.au or call 9276 9060
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