Brainy Bears

07/12/2021

Check out this book, discussing e safety. Click on the link to read it online or watch the read aloud.

Sugar gliders Swoosh and Glide encourage young children to ask for help so they are safer when using digital devices and playing online.

29/09/2021

22/08/2021

For all our Android users our there the Little Learners Love Literacy apps will be free for one week starting on Monday. Please make sure you download all the apps for free while you have the chance.

⭐️Update⭐️ FREE for Android 1 Week only

🔔🔔 August 23 - 30 [Google Play] 🔔🔔

More information in the FAQ at the link below

https://www.littlelearnersloveliteracy.com.au/blogs/decodable-books/apps

Huge thanks to Little Learners Love Literacy
The app version of ALL of their Decodable readers is currently FREE in the 🍏 Apple App 🍎 Store until September 13 2021.

https://apps.apple.com/au/developer/learning-logic/id828398073 -all/i-phonei-pad-apps

16/08/2021

This pdf by Decodable Readers Australia perfectly sums up the difference between reading strategies. Only one of these strategies is effective in teaching children to learn how to read. Can you work out which in? Download this pdf from their website and use it as a reminder of effective reading strategies. They also have a range of other resources that are helpful for learning to read at home.
https://www.decodablereadersaustralia.com.au/pages/resources

15/08/2021

Earlier in the week I shared a video about the 'Science of Reading' and why it is vital that all teachers and parents educate ourselves on how our brains learn to read. Many people reached out and wanted to know more, so here is a longer video by Decodable Readers Australia taking a more in depth look at 'The Science of Reading' and how it benefits all children.

At Brainy Bears we use a range of approaches that align with 'The Science of Reading' and our results speak for themselves. Check out this video and if you have any questions please let me know. I'm not an expert but I am passionate about and dedicated to learning more about how our brains learn to read so that I can provide the best possible tools, practise and explicit teaching for my students.

This is a very basic introduction to the Science of Reading and we encourage you to continue to explore instructional approaches aligned to this research.www...

14/08/2021

I had to share this video again because I am so proud of this little learner.

When she first started at Brainy Bears she was just beginning to learn basic letters and sounds. During our school holiday program, she moved onto digraphs (two letters that make one sound) and used them to read increasingly difficult words. I am so proud of all the hard work she has put into her learning and it is really beginning to show! 🤩🥳😍

13/08/2021

Here is an example of explicit phonics instruction. This is an activity that we use for advanced alphabetic code. It involves explicitly teaching multiple spelling choices for the same sound and then reading and sorting words according to their spelling choices.

12/08/2021

There are two main approaches to teaching reading. The first is the 'whole language approach' and the second is 'explicit and systematic phonics.'

Which approach is your child's school using and which approach is best?

Research conducted by cognitive scientists has shown that explicit and systematic phonics instruction is the best way to teach reading as it mimics the way our brains learn to read.

If your child's school is using this approach than it is time to celebrate because your child should recieve explicit practise and introduction to our alpahbetic code. This is going to set them up for reading success!

If your child's school is still using the 'whole language approach' do not panic. They will still learn to read, however their reading instruction may not be as effective as the other approach.

As a parent, you may need to go out of your way to teach your children phonics and work a little harder to ensure that there are no gaps in their alphabetic code knowledge.

It is also important to note that the 'whole language approach' does not work for all children. It relies heavily on visual memory and focuses on memorising sight words.

How to tell which approach your child's school is using?

The easiest way is to ask them.

If they can clearly tell you they use an explicit and systematic phonics program then you know they are on the right track towards effective reading instruction.

If on the other hand they can not clearly explain their approach or they state that they focus heavily on learning sight words then this tells you they may be using 'the whole language approach.'

What to do next?
If you believe the apporach your child's school is using does not work for your child, you may be right.

Many children with reading difficulties are causulties of poor reading instruction and these difficulties are often fixed or reversed when presented with effective strategies.

Many teachers will go above and beyond for the students in their care, so I always suggest talking to your child's teacher first.

You can explain your concerns and suggest that a more explicit phonics program may work for your child. You can also ask them for helpful hints and tips that you can use at home when reading with your child.

If you think your child wuld benefit from extra support outside of school Brainy Bears is always here to help. We work with children aged 3-10 and use an explicit and systematic phonics program to teach all little learners to read.

11/08/2021

What is 'The Science of Reading' and why is it important for my child?

We currently teach reading as if it is a skill to absorb rather than a skill to be taught. Research has proven again and again that the most effective way to...

11/08/2021

Free apps
Little learners love literacy have all their apps on the app store for FREE! These are the decodable books we use in all of our Brainy Bears sessions. Please visit the app store and.download today. Send me a message if you want to know which level your child is currently reading.

https://apps.apple.com/au/developer/learning-logic/id828398073

10/08/2021

09/08/2021

Developing a safe and nuturing environment for our little learners is very important to us here at Brainy Bears. This involves not only designing a welcoming physical environment but also developing positive relationships with all our little learners and their families.