Do you realise that it’s only six weeks to Christmas? If you’re a child, that feels endless, where an adult thinks ‘Is that all!’

In our busy world it’s hard to stop and look at life from a different perspective – and that’s often true for parents and teachers.

However, we know that when schools and families understand and support one another, life is better for everyone – particularly children.

Ampersand Learning is here to help schools & parents & children and to make a real difference to those relationships.

Now that the Ampersand website is up and running, I will be sending this short newsletter out twice a term with news, views and links to items of interest. Each issue will also include an activity that schools are welcome to copy and paste into their own newsletters (although please include credit).

I hope you’ll find the newsletter helpful, and look forward to hearing your thoughts or suggestions. And please feel free to forward the signup link to friends and colleagues:
http://eepurl.com/g2cC1

With best wishes,
Clio Whittaker

New research on reading at home

Two reports published this week show the difference parents can make to children’s reading and achievement at school. Read these BBC News articles for more information:

Reading to children has long impact, says OECD study

Reading with child 'highlight of the day for parents' 

How to turn a book into a game

Have a look at ideas on creating book-related games in my article in the recent Guardian Children’s books supplement, which also has lots of suggestions for books as presents.

Ampersand Activity: DIY decorations

The long, dark winter evenings mean that everyone spends more time indoors. But it is possible to lure children away from the temptations of TV and computer – and it needn’t cost you much, if anything. Making your own decorations for Christmas or birthdays is a lovely creative activity that everyone in the family can join in, whatever their age or ability. Why not try assembling the materials on the kitchen table, start making something yourself and see if your children abandon electronic amusements to join you in home-made fun?

Draw different shapes on thin cardboard (cereal boxes are ideal). Cover with fabric or decorative paper. Cut out and then stick on pictures of your family, favourite footballers or celebs from magazines. You can decorate with glitter, and add beads and old jewellery for sparkle and dangly interest. Use ribbon or wool to make a loop to hang your decorations from the tree or in the window.

Using scissors is a difficult skill for young children to master, so give them the chance to practise with materials that aren’t expensive or precious. Remember that they will get a sense of achievement through the process of making something on their own even if it’s not ‘perfect’. This activity is also a great opportunity to talk about the names and features of different shapes, such as star, circle, octagon.

© Ampersand Learning 2011