Page 42 - Tropic Magazine Issue 11

Industry
Education
Tips for numeracy
When it comes to numeracy, Gloria and
Michelle cite research that found maths
is more meaningful when it is relevant
to our lives. It’s also important to stay
positive. Don’t let on that you were “bad
at maths” when you were at school. As
Michelle states: “If you raise your
expectations, they’ll raise theirs.”

On a road trip, work out how many km’s
to the next town. At the speed you’re
going, how long will it take to get there?

Read by example

A little bit of effort and time Have your child count the items working
from parents goes a long way out prices. Which item is the better value?
How many mory items on the list?
to giving children the best
start in life.

Words Gavin King
If the local experts at Catholic Education Numeracy and Literacy Coaches Michelle How many garden beds have you got in the
Services – Cairns Diocese could give one King and Gloria West, the videos are a backyard? How many plants in each garden
piece of advice to parents it would be this: practical guide to help parents regardless bed? How many petals on the flowers?
give your children the gift of time by of their child's age and reading level. “Let’s
reading with them at home. At any age face it, kids won’t remember the tablet or
and skill level. Read. Read. And read to the toy you bought them for Christmas
them some more. The Cairns Diocese when they were younger,” Ms King said.
team is promoting the benefits of literacy “But they will remember the precious time
and its equally important educational you spent with them cuddled up together Get your child to help out with quantities,
‘cousin’ numeracy in a new video series. In reading a book.” cooking times, what happens if I want to
particular, the videos highlight the key double this recipe or cut into portions?
role parents play in their child’s learning. Watch the video series: Facebook.com/
Featuring tips and insights from catholiceducationdiocesecairns

Michelle King children helps them learn things like the that you enjoyed reading. Remember
“One of the greatest gifts a parent can give direction of print, left to right and top to though it’s not a test. We want children to
to their child is the gift of time. Time spent bottom, how groups of letters form words enjoy reading. So, don’t worry if your child
cuddled up on the couch sharing a book and words form sentences, and how has a favourite book
talking about the pictures provide information. But most they want you to read
characters, looking at importantly how reading provides over and over again.
the fun moments and meaning.” This is actually a really
the sad moments, Gloria West good thing because it
really enjoying a book “Reading should be fun. Help your child to helps them to build
together. This creates a choose books they really enjoy reading. We fluency and embeds
special bond with your want to make life-long readers out of vocabulary.”
child. Reading aloud to children. Talk about characters from books

Doors open for features enough space for 84 residents, each Sarah said the development also featured 12
international students with their own private ensuite bathroom accessibility suites for people living with a
and outdoor balcony.
disability to provide housing options as the
A new level of sophistication in NDIS rolls out in Cairns in July. “James and
accommodation is now available for I with our co-investors committed
international students in Cairns. significant resources researching the
Inspirational entrpreneurs Sarah and James market to develop a unique product, while
Mort from Mihaven have just completed always thinking outside the square to add
their Pembroke St development. And it’s a more to the product and create positive
brilliant, vibrant addition to the city’s social impact.”
education sector. The inner-city project MORE: mihavenstudentliving.com.au

James Mort, Cairns MP Michael Healy and Sarah Mort