#**Embedding Literacy and Numeracy

[thisisgraeme]

🚀 Join the movement in embedding literacy and numeracy in vocational training! Explore practical strategies from the LLN Community of Practice workshop, featuring Tapatoru, DFQM, and ALEC GPT—your AI-powered teaching assistant. Try real-world scenarios, enhance your teaching, and make LN practical, relevant, and accessible for all learners. Let’s transform vocational education together! 🔥 #LLN #VocationalTraining #AIinEducation

[ajdas]

Top Preschools in South Mumbai (2025): Best Early Learning Options for Your Child

Introduction

The formative years of children are crucial for shaping their future attitudes and approaches to life. Discerning parents seek the finest foundation for their child’s earliest learning journey. Identifying the top PYP school in South Mumbai is paramount for families prioritising a globally relevant, inquiry-driven start. Fazlani L'Académie Globale emerges not merely as an institution but as a nurturing ecosystem, meticulously designed to cultivate the whole child during these critical years and firmly establishing itself among the top preschools in South Mumbai.

Understanding that the preschool years are a unique alchemy of rapid cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional growth, Fazlani L'Académie Globale has crafted a bespoke early learning experience. It transcends traditional academics, weaving together strands of intellectual stimulation, physical vitality, and boundless curiosity into a tapestry of holistic development. This commitment positions it prominently among the top preschools in Mumbai for foundational excellence.

Academic Foundations

The Academy’s approach to early academics is far from rote memorisation. Inspired by globally recognised frameworks, including the IB PYP (Primary Years Programme), learning is made vibrant and experiential. Through purposeful play, sensory exploration, and guided discovery, foundational literacy and numeracy skills are developed naturally. This inquiry-based ethos is the hallmark of any top PYP school in South Mumbai, fostering intrinsic motivation and critical thinking from the very start. Teachers observe each child’s unique interests and developmental stage, tailoring activities that challenge and engage, ensuring academic readiness is built on genuine understanding and joy.

Cultivating Curiosity

At Fazlani, curiosity is at the heart of the curriculum. Classrooms are thoughtfully arranged with intriguing objects, open-ended questions, and real-world connections. Whether exploring the life cycle of a butterfly in the dedicated exploration zone, constructing in the block area, or role-playing community helpers, children are encouraged to ask “Why?” and “How?” This constant nurturing of inquisitiveness builds resilience, problem-solving skills, and a lifelong love of learning—qualities central to the top preschools in Mumbai.

Physical Development

Recognising the link between physical well-being and cognitive growth, Fazlani places great emphasis on motor skills, coordination, and overall health. Safe, purpose-built indoor and outdoor play spaces serve as more than just areas for recreation—they are active learning zones. Structured physical education sessions, combined with free play, help develop gross and fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and confidence. This focus on physical vitality supports a child’s full engagement in their learning journey.

Beyond the Core

The Academy’s commitment to holistic education extends to nurturing each child’s social, emotional, and creative self. Spaces dedicated to art, music, and movement allow for free expression. Children explore a range of media—from paint and clay to rhythm and song—enhancing creativity and aesthetic awareness. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is embedded into daily interactions. Through stories and group activities, children learn to identify emotions, empathise, resolve conflicts, and build positive peer relationships. This strong SEL foundation helps create a warm, inclusive community where every child is seen and valued—an essential part of the Top PYP school in South Mumbai philosophy.

A Foundation for the Future

Fazlani School seamless integration into a continuum that leads to esteemed programmes like the IGCSE ensures a progressive, well-aligned academic path. Parents seeking continuity from the top preschools in Mumbai value the Academy’s clear, future-focused trajectory. The values of inquiry, consistency, and holistic growth established in preschool carry forward naturally into higher years—making Fazlani not just a top preschool, but the first step in a lifelong commitment to excellence among the top preschools in South Mumbai.

[trilliuminstitutions]

Trillium Institutions: Empowering Young Muslims at Bangalore’s Finest Islamic Schools

For Muslim families in Bangalore, choosing an Islamic school that nurtures both faith and intellect is a vital step in shaping a child’s future. Trillium Institutions, comprising Trillium Public School and Trillium Kids Preschool, have been at the forefront of this mission since 2010. Located in the heart of RT Nagar, these schools provide a seamless educational journey from preschool to higher grades, blending Quranic teachings with contemporary learning. With a focus on holistic development, Trillium Institutions are the go-to choice for parents seeking a nurturing environment rooted in Islamic values.

Trillium Kids Preschool: A Joyful Start to Learning

Trillium Kids Preschool, accessible at https://trilliumkids.in/, is tailored for young learners taking their first steps in education. This preschool excels at creating a warm, faith-driven atmosphere where children aged 2 and up thrive. The curriculum introduces Quranic recitation, simple duas, and Islamic stories through engaging tools like rhymes, puppets, and interactive games, making spiritual learning delightful. Alongside this, children explore early literacy, numeracy, and social skills through activities like storytelling, art, and group play. By fostering creativity and confidence, Trillium Kids ensures young Muslim students develop a strong foundation in both faith and academics, preparing them for a smooth transition to primary school.

Trillium Public School: A Legacy of Excellence

For students progressing beyond preschool, Trillium Public School offers a comprehensive education that balances Islamic principles with academic rigor. Since its inception in 2010, the school has built a reputation for empowering students to excel in board examinations while deepening their spiritual connection. The curriculum includes Quranic studies, Arabic language, and Islamic history, complemented by subjects like mathematics, science, and English. Extracurricular activities such as debates, science fairs, and Islamic quizzes encourage critical thinking and leadership. With a dedicated faculty and a focus on moral values, Trillium Public School prepares students to navigate the modern world with confidence, integrity, and a strong sense of faith.

Facilities That Inspire Growth

Both Trillium Kids and Trillium Public School are designed to provide safe, stimulating environments that support student development. Trillium Kids’ preschool campus features vibrant classrooms, secure playgrounds, and learning zones filled with educational toys, encouraging exploration and imagination. Small class sizes allow teachers to offer personalized care, ensuring every child feels valued. Trillium Public School boasts advanced facilities, including well-equipped labs, a library, and sports areas, fostering both intellectual and physical growth. Safety is a top priority, with child-friendly designs and strict protocols, giving parents confidence that their children are in a secure, nurturing space.

Fostering Holistic Development

Trillium Institutions prioritize a well-rounded education that nurtures the mind, body, and soul. At Trillium Kids, young learners engage in creative activities like painting and music, alongside outdoor play that promotes physical health and teamwork. These experiences complement Quranic lessons, ensuring balanced growth. Trillium Public School offers opportunities like sports, drama, and community service, which build leadership and empathy. Both schools emphasize values like honesty, respect, and compassion, embedding them into daily interactions. This holistic approach ensures students are not only academically proficient but also morally grounded, ready to contribute positively to society.

Engaging Families and Community

Trillium Institutions go beyond academics, fostering a vibrant community that unites families through faith and culture. Events like Ramadan iftars, Eid celebrations, and Islamic heritage workshops create shared experiences that strengthen bonds. Parents are active partners, with regular progress updates, workshops, and open communication ensuring they remain engaged in their child’s journey. This sense of belonging makes Trillium a cultural and spiritual hub for Bangalore’s Muslim families, enhancing the educational experience at both schools.

Why Trillium Stands Out in Bangalore

Situated in RT Nagar, Trillium Institutions are accessible and renowned for their legacy of excellence. Trillium Kids offers an ideal preschool environment, while Trillium Public School provides continuity for older students, making them a comprehensive solution for Muslim families. Their affordable fees, dedicated staff, and commitment to individualized care set them apart. By blending tradition with innovation, Trillium prepares students to thrive in a global world while staying rooted in their faith.

Conclusion

Trillium Public School and Trillium Kids Preschool are Bangalore’s premier Islamic schools, offering a nurturing blend of faith and education. Since 2010, they’ve empowered young Muslims to grow with purpose and pride. Explore preschool programs at or discover primary and secondary education at. Enroll today and give your child an education that inspires heart, mind, and soul.

[idigitizellp]

Debunking the Myth: Is Preschool Just Playtime?⁠

At a glance, preschool’s joyful chaos might seem like nothing more than a never-ending playground for toddlers. But beneath the laughter and imaginative adventures lies a vibrant educational ecosystem.  Contrary to the outdated notion that preschool is “just playtime,” play is a dynamic, multifaceted tool for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. When a child builds a sandcastle at the beach or engage in dramatic role-play with friends, they are not simply entertaining themselves, they are practising problem-solving, negotiating social cues, and developing critical early literacy and numeracy skills.

The Global Debate: Shifting Policies and Growing Pains⁠

Across the world, educational policies are evolving. In Sweden, for example, a controversial plan to start formal schooling at 6 years instead of 7 years has ignited a debate among teachers and parents. Critics warn that reducing play-based learning could strip away the natural, exploratory environment that nurtures creativity and social-emotional growth. Advocates, however, argue that when play is purposefully integrated, it lays the foundation for academic success and lifelong learning.

These discussions echo in classrooms everywhere even here at Kookaburra Preschool. We know that structured yet flexible, play-based learning is not about leaving academic content at the door; it’s about embedding learning within every smile, every game of “pretend,” and every spontaneous discovery. Kookaburra’s nurturing environment helps children reach their full potential.

2. Emotional and Social Development

Nursery rhymes are emotional anchors. Rock-a-bye Baby soothes, Ring-a-Ring o’ Roses fosters social bonding, and Little Bo-Peep introduces emotions like loss and perseverance. These rhymes nurture emotional intelligence, helping children understand and express feelings through storytelling. In preschool settings, essential skills like action-based rhymes encourage group participation, teaching cooperation, turn-taking, and synchronisation for early childhood development.

Research Speaks: The Hidden Curriculum of Play⁠

Recent research highlights that preschool education is evolving into a robust platform for holistic development, far surpassing the idea of “just play.” Studies conducted in urban and rural settings have shown that integrating guided play with structured activities significantly enhances cognitive, social, and emotional development among young children.

A research by Chatterjee et al. (2021) in the Journal of Indian Preschool Education demonstrated that preschoolers exposed to guided play activities not only free play but exhibited marked improvements in language acquisition and problem-solving skills compared to peers who received less interactive instruction. These findings suggest that when teachers subtly steer play without stifling children’s creativity, young learners develop a deeper understanding of concepts and exhibit increased resilience.

At Kookaburra Preschool, every playful moment is strategically used as a lesson in inquiry and collaboration. Whether it’s through art sessions that spark language development or outdoor explorations that build motor skills and self-regulation, the integrated approach ensures that children are not only enjoying their early years but are also equipped with the important life skills needed to thrive academically and socially.

Preschool: Beyond Play for Holistic Child Development

Structured Learning Activities: Preschool programs integrate structured activities that promote cognitive development. For instance, curricula like The Creative Curriculum for Preschool emphasise play-based, practical investigations, incorporating language, literacy, and mathematics throughout the day.

Social-Emotional Development: Beyond academics, preschools focus on nurturing social and emotional skills. Many programs include units on emotion management, friendship skills, and problem-solving, teaching children how to manage feelings, interact positively with peers, and resolve conflicts.

Creative and Physical Development: Preschools also provide opportunities for creative expression and physical activity. The Reggio Emilia approach, for example, encourages children to express themselves through various “languages,” including art, music, and movement, fostering creativity and physical coordination.

Preschool is far more than a room filled with toys and games. It is a dynamic stage where children learn to navigate social interactions, explore scientific concepts, and build the cognitive foundations that will support their future academic and personal success.

We celebrate play for all the reasons it truly matters and we invite you to witness its magic every day. Ready to explore more about how play shapes learning? Contact Kookaburra Preschool now to schedule a personalized tour and secure your child’s spot in an environment where every moment of play is a stepping stone to a brighter future.

[manchesterpreparatory]

Islamic Schools in Manchester: A Comprehensive Guide to Faith-Based Education

Manchester, a diverse and vibrant city in the United Kingdom, has a strong Muslim community, reflected in its array of Islamic schools. These schools are designed to provide academic excellence alongside Islamic teachings, offering parents and students an opportunity to experience education in a nurturing Islamic environment. In this post, we will explore the landscape of Islamic schools in Manchester, covering key institutions, their values, and the benefits they offer to the community.

1. The Growing Demand for Islamic Education in Manchester

With the increasing Muslim population in the UK, there is a growing demand for Islamic schools that align with the religious and cultural needs of families. In Manchester, this demand is especially high, and parents are seeking institutions that offer both high-quality secular education and Islamic studies. Islamic schools in Manchester aim to fill this gap by integrating the British national curriculum with Quranic teachings, Islamic history, and Arabic language studies.

Families value the opportunity to have their children learn in a faith-based setting that fosters both academic achievement and moral development based on Islamic principles.

2. What Defines an Islamic School?

Islamic schools in Manchester adhere to the national curriculum while embedding an Islamic ethos throughout the daily activities and lessons. This integration helps nurture students in their faith while ensuring they meet the educational standards required for their future academic and professional endeavors.

These schools typically offer:

Quranic memorization (Hifz) programs

Daily prayers (Salah)

Islamic studies, including Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and Hadith (teachings of the Prophet)

Modesty in dress and behavior

Separate educational programs for boys and girls, especially at the secondary level

Islamic schools also promote community involvement, encouraging students to contribute positively to society while maintaining their religious identity.

3. Primary Islamic Schools in Manchester

Primary Islamic schools in Manchester cater to young learners from the age of 4 to 11, offering a balanced education that nurtures both their spiritual and intellectual growth. Some of the notable primary Islamic schools in Manchester include:

Manchester Muslim Preparatory School: One of the most renowned Islamic primary schools, it provides a well-rounded education that combines the British national curriculum with Islamic teachings.

Manchester Islamic Grammar School for Girls: Although primarily a secondary school, it also offers a strong primary foundation for girls, emphasizing moral values and academic achievement.

These schools aim to build a strong foundation in literacy, numeracy, and Islamic values, preparing students for the next stage of their education.

4. Secondary Islamic Schools in Manchester

Secondary Islamic schools in Manchester provide education for students aged 11 to 16, with many schools continuing through to sixth form (ages 16-18). These institutions emphasize the importance of academic success while ensuring students receive a strong Islamic education.

Manchester Islamic High School for Girls: Known for its academic excellence, this school focuses on producing confident and ambitious young women who are deeply rooted in their Islamic faith.

Afifah School: A co-educational Islamic secondary school that promotes an environment where boys and girls can learn the national curriculum while adhering to Islamic values.

At the secondary level, Islamic schools in Manchester offer a rigorous curriculum, including subjects like English, Math, Science, and Religious Education, alongside Islamic subjects such as Tajweed (rules of Quran recitation) and Seerah (life of the Prophet).

5. Girls’ Islamic Schools in Manchester

Many Islamic schools in Manchester are specifically designed for girls, offering a safe and nurturing environment where young women can excel both academically and spiritually. These schools provide girls with an education that respects their modesty and religious practices while preparing them for future success in higher education and their professional lives.

Manchester Islamic High School for Girls: A flagship institution, it promotes leadership, academic achievement, and character building in young Muslim girls.

Afifah School for Girls: Focuses on creating an environment where girls can thrive academically and spiritually, with a particular emphasis on Islamic studies and moral development.

These schools encourage girls to take on leadership roles, be confident in their faith, and contribute positively to society.

6. Boys’ Islamic Schools in Manchester

While there are fewer dedicated boys' Islamic schools in Manchester compared to girls' schools, the institutions that do exist provide a comprehensive education that blends academic rigor with Islamic principles.

Jamea Al Kauthar: A boarding school for boys offering a unique opportunity to study in an immersive Islamic environment.

Darul Uloom: An institution offering both academic education and religious training, preparing students to become scholars, Imams, or pursue secular professions.

These schools aim to instill discipline, responsibility, and a deep understanding of Islam in their students, providing a holistic approach to education.

7. The Role of Hifz Programs in Islamic Schools

Hifz programs, or Quran memorization courses, are a hallmark of Islamic schools in Manchester. These programs allow students to commit the Quran to memory, a highly respected and rewarding endeavor in Islam.

Many Islamic schools, particularly at the primary level, incorporate Hifz programs into their curriculum. This enables students to progress academically while dedicating time to memorizing the Quran. Schools like Manchester Muslim Preparatory School and Afifah School offer flexible Hifz schedules, ensuring that students receive a balanced education without compromising their Islamic studies.

8. Challenges Facing Islamic Schools in Manchester

While Islamic schools in Manchester have grown significantly in number and reputation, they face several challenges. One major issue is funding, as most Islamic schools are either privately funded or operate as independent schools. This reliance on fees can make it difficult for some families to afford Islamic education for their children.

Additionally, Islamic schools face the challenge of balancing the national curriculum with Islamic studies, as students are required to excel in both. Meeting the academic demands of the British education system while ensuring comprehensive religious education can be a challenging task for educators and administrators.

Another challenge is ensuring inclusivity and diversity within the schools, as the Muslim community in Manchester is ethnically and culturally diverse. Schools must cater to the needs of students from different backgrounds, fostering unity within diversity.

Conclusion: The Future of Islamic Schools in Manchester

Islamic schools in Manchester play a crucial role in providing faith-based education that nurtures both the academic and spiritual growth of students. As the Muslim population continues to grow, these schools will remain integral to the community, offering an environment where students can thrive academically while staying connected to their faith.

The future of Islamic education in Manchester looks promising, with continued demand for schools that provide a well-rounded education grounded in Islamic values. However, overcoming challenges related to funding, balancing curricula, and promoting inclusivity will be key to ensuring that these schools can continue to serve the needs of the community effectively.

In conclusion, Islamic schools in Manchester provide a unique and invaluable service to Muslim families, offering an educational experience that blends academic excellence with the moral and spiritual teachings of Islam. As these schools continue to grow and evolve, they will remain a vital part of the city’s educational landscape.

[linda-potato]

🌈 Counting From 1 to 5: A Musical Adventure for Your Little Ones! 🎶 #KidsLearning #EducationalVideos

Hello, marvelous parents and guardians! 👋 #Parenting

Learning to count is a milestone in every child's life. As a parent, you're always on the lookout for engaging and educational ways to help your mini-mathematician grasp these fundamental skills. 🤓 #EarlyChildhoodEducation #LearnNumbers

🌟 The Importance of Numbers in Early Childhood 🌟 #ChildDevelopment

Before we dive into the mesmerizing world of numbers, let's not overlook why this skill is so crucial for your child. From the earliest days, children interact with their environment and make sense of the world through numbers. Whether it's sharing their toys or recognizing the shape of numbers, these mathematical foundations are embedded in everyday experiences. 🏠🧸 #MathForKids #PreschoolMath

🎉 Introducing the Counting Adventure! 🎉 #Counting123

https://youtu.be/3hXcc_jnCxM

We are absolutely thrilled to introduce you to a groundbreaking and super catchy musical adventure that can transform your child's number literacy! 🎵 This magical resource encompasses visual displays of numbers, spellings in plain English, and culminates in a fun, engaging song that makes counting as easy as pie! 🥧 #FunLearning #LearningThroughPlay

🎵 Catchy Tune, Lasting Impact 🎵 #EducationalSongsForKids

Nothing captures a child's attention like a sing-along moment. The rhythmic elements and delightful tune not only make learning fun but also help commit these essential facts to long-term memory. It's like capturing lightning in a bottle! ⚡ #CatchyTunes #KidsSongs

🌍 A Multi-Sensory Experience 🌈 #InteractiveLearning

What sets this counting extravaganza apart is its multi-sensory approach. Seeing the numbers, hearing them articulated, and joining in the melodic dance of the counting song offers a comprehensive, layered experience. This rich tapestry of sensory inputs will undoubtedly set your child on the path to numeracy mastery. 👩‍🎓👨‍🎓 #SensoryLearning #ChildEducation

🍪 The Cookie Method 🍪 #CreativeLearning

Think of each number as a delicious cookie. The first cookie is always special—it's the entry into the delightful world of confectioneries. But what about the second cookie? Ah, the second one lets you relish it even more, appreciating its nuanced flavors. As you reach the fifth cookie, you're not just counting; you're celebrating a parade of delicious experiences. 🎉 #InteractiveMethods #FunWithNumbers

✅ Stepping Stones to Advanced Learning ✅ #EducationalMilestones

Remember, understanding numbers is the cornerstone for more advanced mathematical concepts. Subtraction, addition, division—these are all superpowers waiting to be unlocked, and it all starts with knowing how to count to five! 🚀 #MathSkills #FoundationalLearning

🤗 Wrap-Up and Takeaway 🤗 #EducationForKids

As we embark on this fantastic journey of early childhood education, we extend an open invitation for you and your child to join us. Let's make counting not just a skill to learn but an adventure to be experienced! #KidsActivities #LearnThroughPlay

🎯 Engage, Explore, Excel! 🎯 #LearningJourney

Until the next magical learning moment, be curious, be brilliant, and above all, be inspired. 💡 #StayCurious #ChildInspiration

[mariacallous]

Play is an important part of children’s learning and development. While it generally evokes a picture of a small child running, jumping, and shouting, the benefits that play offers in promoting early development and better health outcomes extend far beyond childhood. In fact, playful learning—an area of research that examines how children learn best through playful exchanges—shares many of the same core foundations as the study of intergenerational learning—a body of research involving older and younger generations coming together in the service of mutually-beneficial learning experiences.

As the COVID-19 pandemic introduced new layers to our understanding of the importance of social connection for a range of outcomes, researchers have an opportunity to look to the future of the playful learning and intergenerational learning movements together—what they share and how they can be leveraged jointly to support social interactions that foster well-being throughout life.

Playful Learning Landscapes support enriching interactions and promote learning

As a natural medium for fostering rich interactions, play creates opportunities for children to develop language skills, engage in collaboration, test theories about how the world works, and even develop better self-regulation. Child development experts, recreation and play professionals, and educators have long examined the connection between play and learning—and, more recently, how the kinds of enriching interactions that take place during play can be fostered through the built environment.

Enter Playful Learning Landscapes: a growing movement of community-based research partnerships across a number of cities in the U.S. and abroad, including in Brazil, Israel, and South Africa, that morph public spaces in places that foster interaction, learning, and joy (see illustrative photo below). By reimagining everyday environments in ways that encourage play while embedding a targeted learning goal, the movement fosters a learning model known as playful learning, in which children build content knowledge while simultaneously playing freely. Playful learning research has not only generated improvements to children’s language and literacy, numeracy, spatial reasoning, and executive functioning—all skills that set the foundation for later development and school readiness—but also strong civic engagement, increased ownership of communal spaces, enriched interactions between children and their caregivers, and a deeper understanding among caregivers of the role of play in their children’s learning.

But the benefits are not for children alone—playful interactions can also be a boon for older adults, supporting better health and social engagement, staving off cognitive decline, and creating multigenerational learning opportunities with intergenerational impacts.

Intergenerational research showcases benefits to, and contributions of, older adults

A century ago, multiple generations lived, worked, and played together. Today, much of our society treats young children and older adults as fundamentally different from one another—and, more likely than not, we live apart, sometimes a great distance, from even the closest generations of our own families. We now each belong to a separate “named generation” that reinforces generational differences, which may contribute to the persistent and widespread problem of ageism, that has well-documented negative effects on physical and mental health, economic well-being, and access to critical support services. Though the developmental literature acknowledges that many of our needs evolve as we age, the benefits we experience from rich social connections, learning opportunities that support cognitive function, and activity that promotes physical health remain constant throughout life.

The intergenerational movement, which has emerged over the past several decades and gained momentum in recent years, emphasizes the benefits of enriching interactions in mitigating social isolation—which became all the more critical in periods of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic—creating health and learning opportunities for older adults, and promoting powerful community connections. Social service leaders, academic researchers, public officials, and others demonstrated that there are reciprocal benefits to children and older adults as a product of interacting and engaging with one another. In a 2021 review of intergenerational programs, Generations United and the RRF Foundation for Aging identified benefits of intergenerational programs for children at several different developmental periods, parents, and older adults—even those aged 100 and older.

Among the many positive outcomes, researchers found that children in preschool partnered with older adult volunteers show better socio-emotional outcomes (e.g., empathy and acceptance); elementary school children partnered with older adults show increased learning, reading comprehension, and improvement in writing; and older adults report less social isolation and a sense of connectedness and community when engaged with children and youth. This connectedness is a critical component for supporting both physical and mental health and well-being in older adults and for staving off some age-related declines in cognitive functioning.

Play is not just for the kids: Intergenerational learning has lifelong benefits

By bringing these two areas of study together—one based in a long history of intergenerational research, the other in a rich and growing playful learning movement—researchers and advocates can integrate and build on opportunities to engage adults and children in their day-to-day environments in ways that promote enriching and mutually-beneficial learning and health outcomes. This could include, for example, puzzles embedded in bus stops or at local parks, featuring iconic references from a grandparent’s generation that can promote both shape language that supports foundational math skills and storytelling that helps boost rich language interactions and gives older adults an opportunity to share their experiences. It could look like grocery store games, where older adults are prompted to discuss favorite foods and recipes from their childhood, or it could look like story fragments printed on the sidewalk outside of an elderly home that prompts older adults and young children to take it in turns to build out narratives together. Redesigning playful learning spaces with an intergenerational framework in mind can facilitate these kinds of rich interactions between young and old and lead to improvements in their respective well-being, bridge generational divides at the earliest stages of children’s lives, and strengthen community resilience across the lifespan.

[adrianodiprato]

+ “The Garden of Eden is no more. We have changed the world so much that scientists say we are now in a new geological age - The Anthropocene - The Age of Humans.” ~ Sir David Attenborough | Broadcaster and Naturalist

 The Age of Humans

Our world is changing, and we’re being forced to change with it. So, what is the point of education today?

Education has always served a pragmatic purpose. It is a tool to be used to bring about a specific outcome (or set of outcomes). For the most part, this purpose is economic.

Today’s educational environment is somewhat mixed. One of the two goals of the 2019 Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration is that:

All young Australians become confident and creative individuals, successful lifelong learners and active and informed members of the community.

But the Australian Department of Education believes:

By lifting outcomes, the government helps to secure Australia’s economic and social prosperity.

We know the world is in constant evolution. The evidence of dramatic change is all around us and it’s happening at exponential speed. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is bringing together digital, physical and biological systems like no other time in our history, especially through the rise of Artificial Intelligence, automation and robotics.

Humans have always been using tools. We shouldn’t therefore be fearful of new technology tools and the impact of them on the future of work, education or our lives. Technology has become a crucial partner in our lives. And in today’s age, advancements in technology has allowed it to become more individual, more accessible and highly inclusive. Think about these three provocations:

Personalised: Technology has made it possible for a more personalised experience. Think about it, no two smartphones’ content are the same.

Collaboration: Technology values the partnership and interaction between itself and us. Technology is our partner, an assistant in curating understanding if you like. We often ask computers or the Internet of Things to learn how to assist us with a multitude of tasks.

Connectivity: Technology is quickly adapting to us. We don’t need an awful lot of training to use technology anymore. User interfaces are becoming more human.

At the heart of each are basic human needs to be known, to be valued and have a greater sense of belonging.

As a result, the future of work is going to look very different, as automation and Artificial Intelligence make many manual, repetitive jobs obsolete. “Anything that is routine or repetitive will be automated,” said Minouche Shafik, Director of the London School of Economics at Davos in January 2019. She also spoke of the importance of “the soft skills, creative skills. Research skills, the ability to find information, synthesise it, make something of it.”

The keyword with all of this for education therefore is relevance. For education to remain relevant in today’s world the future of education and schooling must evolve. The content and style of teaching hasn’t changed much over the last few decades. However, it must to ensure education remains relevant. We need a new renaissance in education that re-structures our relationship to learning and life, our relationship to the planet and our relationship to the world of work. We need a different educational model that has a value shift to a new learning ecosystem that allows us to meet the basic needs of every human on the planet, in order to thrive in an era of constant uncertainty.

Andria Zafirakou, the 2018 winner of the Global Teacher Prize, spoke about the future of education at Davos in January 2019 around the key to unlocking children’s futures, stating “We need children to be the problem-solving generation, and unless we teach them problem-solving skills, which come from the creative subjects, it won’t happen.”

I believe that these human skills that Zafirakou refers to are central to an educational renaissance that will allow each young person to thrive in a new world environment. The notion of including human skills for life in the Australian curriculum is not a new one. But it is, perhaps, needed to be more embedded than ever before. The Australian Curriculum, which is now ten years old, specifies seven general capabilities: digital capability, critical and creative thinking, literacy, numeracy, ethical understanding, intercultural understanding and personal and social capability.

There is widespread agreement among educators about the importance of capabilities, with last year’s Gonski 2.0 report recommending strengthening how the general capabilities are taught, assessed and reported.

At Marcellin we have developed a new vision for faith, learning and life, titled Polaris. Central to the philosophical thinking of Polaris is our Skills for Life-Long Learning framework (below), an adaption from the Centre of Curriculum Redesign, in fostering the fundamental human skills, knowledge and attributes young people will need to cultivate in order to flourish in tomorrow’s world.

From 2020 the Polaris Skills for Life-long Learning framework will inform our teaching and learning pedagogical practice. Enabling, creating and sustaining intrinsic student motivation relies on a teacher’s understanding of how to engage with the interdependence of these human skills, knowledge and attributes as an integral part of everyday classroom instruction.

Nobel Prize-winning scientist Paul Crutzen first suggested, back in January 2011 in Yale Environment 360 online magazine, that we were living in the Anthropocene, describing the value of this new framing for our current Earth history. He stated “Students in school are still taught that we are living in the Holocene, an era that began roughly 12,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. But teaching students that we are living in the Anthropocene, the Age of Men [Humans], could be of great help. Rather than representing yet another sign of human hubris, this name change would stress the enormity of humanity’s responsibility as stewards of the Earth. It would highlight the immense power of our intellect and our creativity, and the opportunities they offer for shaping the future.”

To master this huge shift, we must change the way we perceive ourselves and our role in the world. We need a new story about how we want to live and learn. Schools therefore need teach the curriculum of the future, not the past. Schools need to teach students how to learn, unlearn and relearn, not just what to learn. We have a responsibility to lay the foundations for the innovation and growth of tomorrow. The interdependence of human skills and digital skills is crucial to this realisation. Both are central to the future of education and the future of all human advancement.

 References

'The Garden of Eden is no more' speech by Sir David Attenborough was presented at the 25th Crystal Awards at Davos, World Economic Forum (WEF) 21 January 2019.

Crutzen, P. & Schwägerl , C. (2011) Living in the Anthropocene: Toward a New Global Ethos, Yale Environment 360. January 24. Retrieved from https://e360.yale.edu/features/living_in_the_anthropocene_toward_a_new_global_ethos

Fadel, C., Bialik, M., & Trilling, B. (2015). (Ed.). Four-Dimensional Education: The Competencies Learners Need to Succeed. Retrieved from https://curriculumredesign.org/wp-content/uploads/Four-Dimensional-Education-Excerpt-Chapter-1-and-2-partial-CCR.pdf

Gonski Report 2.0: Through Growth to Achievement. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.appa.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/20180430-Through-Growth-to-Achievement_Text.pdf

World Economic Forum. (2016). What is the Fourth Industrial Revolution? Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpW9JcWxKq0

[pharmaphorumuk]

Listening to the Patient Voice: Collaborate to meet unmet information needs

Pharma has a real willingness to listen to the patient voice – but how best can we turn that desire into action?  

Over the next few months, we’ll be talking to representatives from a number of UK advocacy groups to find out how industry could better listen to the patient voice in various therapy areas.

Sue Farrington

To kick off the Listening to the Patient Voice series, Sue Farrington, chair of the Patient Information Forum (PIF), talks to pharmaphorum about how embracing collaboration can facilitate shared decision making.

The pharmaceutical industry is waking up to the fact that patients, not clinicians, are its real customers. And while there are barriers to redressing this balance, working more collaboratively with patients, healthcare services and advocacy groups can help.

Outlining the current situation, Sue said: “In relation to the patient information produced by pharma, there are two areas of unmet need.”

“The first is the accessibility of information. It needs to be understandable and it needs to consider health literacy. This is a common issue across the board, which many companies are trying to address.”

The second area is making sure that when information is produced, it is embedded into the patient pathway.

“Is the information being provided at the right time, in the right way, in the right format?” she asked.

Co-creation as the path to accessibility

Co-creation at every point of the development pathway, from identifying information gaps to creating and testing the resources, is the answer according to PIF.

However, that’s easier said than done when considering the restrictions the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Code of Practice places on communication between companies and patients.

“At PIF we have seen a growing recognition from pharma of the importance of listening to the patient voice,” said Sue.

“There is a real willingness to do it, and some companies are more ahead of the curve than others, but the Code can make it very difficult.”

Health literacy

With a growing emphasis on shared decision making, the first step needs to be ensuring everyone can access the basic information, no matter what their level of health literacy.

Between 43 and 61 per cent of working age adults in England do not have the literacy and numeracy skills they need to understand and use health and wellbeing information.

The Academy of Medical Sciences recently said that patient information leaflets (PILs) included in medical packages often failed to meet the criteria for accessibility.

In a report entitled How can we make better decisions about medicines? the Academy noted: “Patients are struggling to find clear and reliable information about medicines. The information leaflets that come with medicines are often unclear and unhelpful. We want them all to be simpler and clearer, so patients understand the potential benefits of medicines and their possible side effects.”

Addressing this issue is critical to the industry for many reasons, said Sue, who added that a focus on health literacy would “create a level playing field” by tackling health inequalities.

“The more someone understands why it’s important, the more likely they are to adhere to their medication. There are also the serious consequences of people not understanding the safety issues of a medicine.”

“One of the most critical things is involving and listening to patients from all backgrounds and with all levels of health literacy,” she said.

She went on to say that many companies were starting to embrace the ethos of co-production of educational materials. Some have set up patient advisory boards, others are now testing their new resources with patients.

But while the industry realises it needs to work more collaboratively if it is to succeed, there is an element of being hamstrung by the ABPI Code.

Shared decision making

It’s not just PILs that need to be addressed – materials that are designed to help clinicians and patients come to evidence-based choices are also sorely needed.

“People are being asked to take greater responsibility for their health, so we need to be thinking about how people can access the information they need to do that.”

“Previously, information produced by pharma was designed for post-prescription. Now there are so many choices of treatments in some long-term conditions meaning that pre-prescription information is so important – we need materials that can enable that conversation,” Sue explained.

The Academy of Medical Sciences report, which published in June last year, highlighted just how important this is.

Of 2,041 British adults surveyed, just 37 per cent said they trusted evidence from medical research. This was compared to 65 per cent who said they trusted the experience of their friends and family.

Compliance

Asked how pharma could help address these needs without being seen to be promoting medicines to patients, Sue said that working with healthcare services was key.

“Pharma has a large responsibility to step in here. There is an unquestionable desire, but they don’t know where to start,” she said.

Her team is currently working with a number of pharma companies through PIF’s Perfect Patient Information Journey initiative. Published last month, the seven-step plan was designed to help health services make sure patients get the right information at the right time in the right format.

“This approach works because it involves clinicians and patients. It’s about creating resources that enable conversations and it all takes place within a health service setting,” Sue said.

Information audit

Overall, the industry is starting to embrace the principles of co-creation, but there are still barriers – most notably the ABPI’s restrictions on public/pharma communication.

But by working collaboratively with advocacy groups and healthcare services, companies can get close enough to listen to the patient voice and make meaningful change.

  About the author: 

Amanda Barrell

Amanda Barrell is a health and medical education journalist, editor and copywriter. She has worked on projects for pharma, charities and agencies, and has written extensively for patients, healthcare professionals and the general public. 

The post Listening to the Patient Voice: Collaborate to meet unmet information needs appeared first on Pharmaphorum.

from Pharmaphorum https://pharmaphorum.com/views-and-analysis/listening-to-the-patient-voice-collaborate-to-meet-unmet-information-needs/

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Say hello to ALEC, your AI-powered teaching sidekick designed to make literacy and numeracy training easier, smarter, and more engaging. Whether you're embedding LN into lesson plans, tackling TEC compliance, or just looking for a way to make learning fun—ALEC has your back. No coffee breaks. No marking. Just smart AI support for educators who want to teach better and stress less. Ready to see what ALEC can do? Let’s make learning awesome! 😏🔥

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Don't forget the numeracy skills

Don’t forget the numeracy skills

There is a lot of focus on Literacy skills – and so there should be BUT numeracy is equally important and the embedding of those basic skills in the early years is really important.

However, many parents may feel that numeracy doesn’t play a role in home readers and sight words BUT it can.

 Count the letters in each word in the selected group of sight words. Group them according the number of…

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Weekly reflection

27/3/17

Today was my second observation of my course; it was with my tutor Karen. I felt very organized prior and ready for my observation, but again I felt nervous of the outcome and I didn’t feel in control of the students and this scared me. I thought I could only do my best, and I would be happy with the outcome. Preparing for the observation there was so many components to think of such as:

·      Embedding Literacy

·      Embedding numeracy

·      Differentiation in the classroom

·      Inclusion

·      Equality and diversity

·      Fun activity/task

·      Starter activity and recap at the end

·       Clear instructions

·      Assess of learning

All very important components of a great observation and squeezing them all into my mine were hard, but after much preparation I did it. I started the lesson confident and thinking about my previous targets, and making sure I had hit them this time, along with all the other criteria required. Throughout the lesson the students weren’t very cooperative, 4 students were late and 2 students in particular were very disobedient and disruptive. But I felt I handled the situation well and didn’t get mad, although my patents were wearing think by the end of the session. The lesson overall went great and I had taught the students something new, which is the goal of a lesson. After the observer went, I felt a sense of defeat and like I hadn’t lived up to her expectations and this really upset me. After talking to her after the lesson ended, she reassured me I did well and I got a 1 over all which I was stunned at and very proud of. My next observation is with my mentor, which I feel very comfortable teaching in front of.  I feel she is my comfort blanket. Knowing I did so well in the observation adds pressure, but I always want to to be the best and I will strive to get a 1 again in my next observation.

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30 Powerful Ideas to Supercharge Literacy and Numeracy in Vocational Training

30 Powerful Ideas to Supercharge Literacy and Numeracy in Vocational Training

Breathing new life into your embedded literacy and numeracy in vocational and trades training If you’ve begun embedding literacy and numeracy into your vocational or trades training course, whether through professional development or on your own, you may be wondering what to do next to reinvigorate this approach. Below are a few suggestions. Choose one or two and talk about them with a…

[thisisgraeme]

BEFORE: Why is formative assessment so important?

BEFORE: Why is formative assessment so important?

Why are formative assessment and good feedback so important

Formative assessment is super important. Here are at least three reasons why:

It increases learner motivation.

It helps people learn how to learn.

It helps you to fine tune your learners’ progress.

Let’s look at these… Do you remember our discussion about motivation in the first collection? The best motivation is the kind that comes…