I strongly believe that to help a child reach their learning potential, it’s important parents and teachers encourage reading. Students are more likely to do well in school if they read; even if writing and reading isn’t a child’s favourite thing, literacy skills can be developed over time, and this means that life in and outside of the classroom can be all the more enjoyable and successful, at all ages.
School is made easier too, which is a really critical reason why you should encourage your child to read. A strong reader has a broader vocabulary, wider general knowledge and an increased understanding of cultures (important for thriving and developing compassion in our contemporary multicultural society).
Parents/guardians, it’s vital you show an interest in your child’s reading development, because you are your child’s first and ultimate life-long educator.
“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents” –Emily Buchwald
Why you should encourage your child to read
7 tips on how to influence your child to love reading
Read with your with child every day
Make your child read aloud for fifteen minutes, ensuring they stop for punctuation, difficult words and share ideas on what the meaning of the story is. Children who read have a broader vocabulary which helps in their writing and exam tasks. Also, ask your child to explain to you what they have read (e.g. talk about characters, setting, understanding of the topic and themes); this is vital in helping kids succeed in future exams and assignments.
Choose reading material of interest to the reader
I always say to parents that I don’t care what kids are reading, as long as they are reading! Ensure children are reading their favourite material, whatever it may be (although do encourage consumption of a variety of genres and media (books, magazines, digital content) as your children grow. They’ll be more engaged across the board, and happier to de-construct (talk to you about) it.
However, if you find a child struggles to read the text, they may be reading above their ability; if you perceive there are issues, talk to a teacher to determine what the child’s reading level is. It’s better to work from where they are at. The aim is to make reading (and subsequent writing and literacy tasks) enjoyable, not challenging.
Be patient and make literacy learning fun
It’s important that reading is presented as an enjoyable experience. As a parent, be patient. If you feel your little one is encountering difficulties, be supportive and encouraging. Remember, the main aim of reading is to make it fun; and, practice makes perfect – all the more reason this should continue outside of the classroom and into the home with regularity.
Link to the outside world
Children want to see that what they’re reading is connecting to their ‘outside world’. As a family, it’s a great idea to research a topic together. For example, if you’re going on a holiday, investigate the destination together. Or, if your child is into games / gaming, take this opportunity to read reviews on the applications of interest to them. Reading is about what your child likes, not what you like. Embrace that – it will mean they are more engaged in the reading process and will feel uplifted and appreciated becasue you respect their opinions.
Play [literacy] games
There are hundreds and hundreds of literacy games on the internet as well as app downloads on mobile devices; these are fun and interactive. We all know that kids are tech savvy so this is an ideal chance for your child to explain to you how a particular game works. This activity positions them as the expert in the situation, while giving them a chance to read and explain on topics of interest with enthusiasm. Simply search for relevant games on Google, or seek ideas from your child’s school.
Experiment with audio books
I find audio books are an excellent way of introducing children to stories read by passionate presenters who can make the words on the page come alive. Kids can read along while building their vocabulary.
It’s also helpful if you read in small passages with your child, and have them apply their comprehension skills as they move through a story, explaining characters, setting and theme along the way.
Weave literacy learnings with a field trip
It’s important to surround your child with books and writing, whether this be at home, on a field trip to a community or school library, university or book store.
In this experience, children will witness first-hand how books contribute to education, knowledge and development; and that reading is a life-long practice, not just something that you do in school.
Importantly, parents – your role is critical in influencing your child to be an enthusiastic reader. If you don’t show an interest, they won’t. Your kids model behaviour, so demonstrate that reading and writing is fun, important, and makes for a fulfilling future.
You wouldn’t expect the topic ‘taking the train from London to Edinburgh’ to come up as a dinner party topic, but for us recently it did! I was enjoying a nice chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc over dinner with friends (don’t you love the bottles with twist tops?!).
I mentioned excitedly as I emptied the last of the contents (a bottle doesn’t go far between four people), that I was travelling on the train from London to Edinburgh the following week. Anyone who has been to Scotland will enthusiastically agree it’s a beautiful, friendly country with a long history. Scotland offers amazing scenery, history and filming locations, castles, lochs and even a monster!
Suddenly I was asked what I thought to be a bizarre question, “why are you taking the train?”
…”Isn’t the plane much faster?”
This is when the conversation previously focusing on sport, politics, work and the usual banter steered towards the new topic of train travel. Each guest explained – with enthusiasm – their experiences travelling around the UK on the world’s oldest railway system.
After emptying the contents of a second bottle of Australia’s finest, I felt inspired, excited and a little curious by the prospect of travel on the train from London to Edinburgh (between four and five hours).
7 awesome reasons to travel on the train from London to Edinburgh
Door-to-door
Unlike airports which are located anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes from a city, most major train stations are located in the centre of the city.
Avoid rush-hour traffic and an expensive taxi ride. I didn’t feel stressed travelling to the train station but I always have a small sense of anxiety when I travel to an airport.
Our travel from London to Edinburgh by train commenced at the centrally-located and well appointed King’s Cross station in London.
Hassle-free
What I really like about train travel is that you don’t have to arrive several hours before departure and then wait in a long security line.
When I arrived at King’s Cross 30 minutes before departure, everyone was relaxed, no one was rushing and I didn’t encounter any impatient passengers pushing and shoving waiting for the gates to open. No exorbitant prices for food and drinks either. I grabbed a latte, checked from which platform my train was departing, visited a few shops and even had a chance to explore the Harry Potter exhibit (as one does).
Baggage and expenses
We’ve all experienced that anxiety about having to pay excess baggage fees, and that sheepish feeling of guilt when you know your bags are flirting with being slightly overweight.
Thankfully, conductors who I found friendly and helpful, didn’t even check how many bags I had or more importantly how much they weighed. No angry and surprised passengers standing helplessly when staff remove bags and demand a fee.
On the price side, if you’re familiar with the UK, you’ll know there are of course discount airfare options, but, did you know you can score a train ticket travelling from London to Edinburgh for as little as £25 if you book in advance? Try looking up fares on Trainline.
Comfort and relaxation
My core complaint when flying is the lack of leg room and being boxed-in amongst strangers. On trains there are seats in pairs, or sets of four (two either side), and some with the option of a table in the middle.
Plug a laptop in, catch up on blogging (or the latest episode of Arrow…; read, write, daydream).
Did I mention you don’t have to wear a seat belt and there’s no line for the toilet!? Winning!
Trains can be a little bumpy in a soothing way (like being rocked to sleep); nothing like when you hit turbulence and fear grips your body.
The real bonus – scenery
Trains offer the chance to be engaged by spectacular scenery, unlike planes where, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of a landmark during take-off or landing. I love watching in wonder the rolling green fields, lazy grazing farm animals, charming villages and historical castles standing proud. A kaleidoscope of images, and the landscape of the United Kingdom is really so special, particularly when you travel from London to Edinburgh by train.
The time really does fly by, because the adventure is a travel experience in itself, rather than feeling like a ‘drag’.
Meeting travellers and making friends
A cafeteria and bar offering all the essentials was positioned up the back of my train. Making my way to this oasis felt a bit like imitating a trapeze artist on rope, but, my reward for a delicate balancing act, was that I found this spot to be a great place to meet fellow travellers. We shared tips and a few jokes over a cold beverage.
That said, if you prefer to enjoy a little quiet time, staying in your seat is a perfectly convenient option too, because a trolley of hot and cold delights makes its way through the carriages at intervals through the journey.
Environment
An important fact, trains are less damaging to the environment and more energy efficient. Trains require half the energy per passenger per mile than air travel. Anything that is great for the environment is a winner in my books.
Sure, we all live active, busy lives and travelling by plane is less time consuming, but there comes a time when we must all stop, relax and smell the roses, so to speak.
I’m discovering train travel in the UK is the chance to experience real travel adventure; you can score tickets at low prices, and view the world while travelling comfortably. The time really does fly by (no pun intended). Definitely worth considering when you’re in our neck of the woods.
The vibrant and cosmopolitan seaside city ofBarcelona is the capital of Spain’s Catalonia region – we love it so much, and want to share our best Barcelona tips with you.
Barcelona, famed for amazing tapas, invigorating sangria, football team, architecture, lively bars and restaurants, certainly has its own quirky personality.
This is easily defined by modernistic mansions, Gothic churches, Roman remains and the iconic structures by Antoni Gaudi.
When the summer months arrive, Spain’s beaches (I love the Costa Bravaregion, about an hour’s drive from Barcelona) are packed with tourists eager to soak in the sun’s warm rays.
There’s plenty more to Spain – (Ibiza, Mallorca…), and bright and beautiful Barcelona – than just beaches, however.
In fact, there’s so much to see and do that it can be overwhelming, which is why we’re sharing some of our Barcelona tips here.
Here’s seven top Barcelona tips for travel in this huge metropolis that I’ve put together following my third and most recent excursion to the city during this past summer.
Barcelona tips
Travel – make good use of the Metro
Getting around Barcelona is hassle-free, thanks to its metro (train/subway) system.
It’s similar to London’s underground, and is easy to navigate – simply follow the coloured lines to your destination.
There are stations all around the city, close or near to all major attractions, so a great tip for Barcelona travel is to get familiar with how it works.
Purchase the 10-trip pass, a multi-person card which can be shared with your friends, allowing access to the metro for up to ten trips (around €10).
If you have any problems, the stations have information boxes (push the ‘help’ button) where you can speak to someone in English.
Be mindful though, that some parts of the metro shut down after midnight, so if you’re planning a big one out, ensure you know how you are getting home safely and have a cab number plus your address handy.
Book tour or attract tickets in advance
Barcelona offers a vast range to see and do, and most of the time it’s very, very busy. For this reason, it’s important to remember to take breaks or leave a day to just chill out.
When exploring, to avoid hours waiting in long queues or worse, the disappointment of being locked of out a venue, book your tickets online.
Compare and contrast prices, starting with a Google search, or Barcelona’s official tourism website. We also utilised Get Your Guide.com.
Park Quell (a colourful and impressive park designed by Gaudi), for example, limits how many people can pass through its gates each day, and you have to be there at the time allotted to you, otherwise you’ll miss your window.
Trust me, after a 15-20 minutes uphill walk under the hot sun, the last thing you want is to be turned away.
This also applies to the La Sagrada Familia (Barcelona’s number one tourist attraction).
When you purchase a ticket, you are given an entrance time.
Do not be late, or admission will be refused, and that would be terrible because this is one attraction you definitely do not want to miss.
The Monastery of Montserrat is an easy one hour train ride from Barcelona.
Once you arrive, you are then whisked to the top of the mountain up 1,200 metres by cable car (about €20 for the entire trip – train and cable car inclusive) .
That said, you can also drive (or for the more adventurous, walk) to the top.
Drinking the water in Barcelona
Yes, the tap water in Barcelona is safe to drink, but I didn’t really like the taste.
It’s also okay to drink from the many fountains located around the city.
Just be mindful that because the water is a little different, it may affect your stomach. Although, eating tapas and drinking sangria might also have an impact!
Legend has it, if you drink water from the La Font de Canaletes near the top of Las Ramblas you will always return to Barcelona. Works for me!
Tip: Purchase two litre water bottles (€0.95) from supermarkets and distribute into smaller bottles. In summer you need to hydrate – it’s HOT here!
Dress appropriately and protect your skin
Important Barcelona tips for during the summer months: expect to be hot and sweaty!
The number of people I witnessed wearing denim jeans and shorts, big boots, heels (yes, heels) and no sun protection, surprised me. Dress in comfortable, cool clothing.
Walking to Park Quell (15 to 20 minutes) is up a hill, so expect to sweat and burn.
Also, when it’s 28 plus degrees, please don’t drag your poor dog along for the journey.
Hot footpaths burn their paws, there is no shade or facilities to give your suffering dog a drink of water (excuse the rant, but it disgusted me to see that people can be so thoughtless).
Dining out
Let’s be honest, every major city in the world has its own version of tapas, but none do it better than Barcelona.
This means it’s time to tantalise the taste buds and indulge in the incredible variety of food.
Realistically, it means loosening the belt buckle and sampling plates and plates of tapas (small entrée size meals) washed down by a cold glass of sangria (Spain’s most famous drink).
Tapas bars, cafes and high-quality restaurants (more than 20 boasting Michelin stars) litter Barcelona, like hundreds and thousands sprinkled over a cake.
Many tapas joints and cafes offer set menus for around €10 to €15. If you explore the many twisting side streets across the city centre, you’ll discover family-run eateries where your dining experience is more authentic and less expensive.
Tip: Visit the La Boquiera, one of Europe’s largest and most famous food markets along Las Ramblas.
Its grand iron entrance is the gateway to a colourful world of food of all varieties (great for gathering some enviable Instagram snaps too).
Have a go – speak the language
In Barcelona there are two languages spoken, Catalan and Spanish.
Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya and therefore Catalan is spoken by the people of Barcelona.
However, both Spanish and Catalan is widely spoken. There is nothing more rewarding and exciting than conversing in the native tongue.
Surprisingly, it’s amazing how very little Spanish you actually need to know to get by. Navigating the city, ordering food or simply being courteous, is made easier by understanding a few simply phrases or words.
Furthermore, the locals and hospitality staff appreciate the fact, that you have made the effort to even try.
Tip: It’s fun and there are many apps available to help, so research and add them to your mobile device before heading to Spain.
Be safe
When I passed through customs, I was greeted by a friendly immigration officer who made a point of reminding me to be cautious when carrying bags, wallets, purses and backpacks.
Barcelona is one of the safest cities in the European Union and not once, have I felt unsafe, intimidated or frightened.
But, as with travel anywhere, you need to be cautious and use common sense. Here are a few safety tips for getting around in Barcelona:
Don’t place valuables on tables or under tables (keep on your lap)
Beware of strangers touching or approaching you
Be cautious on the beach and metro
Don’t carry all your money at once
Carry backpacks on your front if possible
When shopping don’t take out your purse/wallet or forage around in your bag; have money already organised prior to purchasing
Be extra careful if you go out drinking – keep your wits about you
Popular crime spots include Las Rambles, Sagara Familia, hotel lobbies and metro stations
As you can see from this list though, it’s nothing you wouldn’t or shouldn’t do in any other city around the world.
There’s a lot of scaremongering that goes on about Barcelona, but there’s nothing to worry about if you use a little common sense.
Barcelona is a wonderful city that intoxicates the senses and leaves you wanting more, especially if you’re a creative! Dump your belongings at the hotel and get in amongst it.
Got a Barcelona travel tip? Share with us in the comments.
Lately I’ve encountered an array of ‘temperamental personalities’ within workplaces where I’ve been contracting; nice, intelligent, motivated people, but prone to breeding ill-feelings due to ongoing ‘bad days’ and in some cases, weeks!
One such example: a magazine designer, Anna, all of a sudden got very moody and sullen at work a few weeks back, to the point where she was obviously being very short with other staff (women, in particular). The primary-school-esque behaviour was not something I’d expect in a professional adult setting, but it seemed to me things were happening at home that were being brought into the office (not necessarily professional, but it happens). What followed was also fairly immature − other team members began gossiping about what Anna’s ‘problem’ was, and in turn ended up feeling miserable themselves. After a few weeks, Anna seemed to move on from her moodiness, but one other on the team, Kelly, has taken it all to heart. She’s harbouring resentment, and now this workplace’s communications team aren’t as communicative as they deserve to be.
None of us are immune to getting involved in this kind of thing. We’ve all got clients, friends, bosses and co-workers who are occasionally (or consistently!) moody and pessimistic, and it only takes one snarky word on a bad day, or a rude snub when we’re doing our best to smile in the first place, for a ‘snap’ to take place, and then the spiral downwards begins. I’m sure you can appreciate that awful feeling, when things go from bright and bubbly in a relationship(s), to strained and cold. It’s awful, and incredibly difficult when it happens in a space where you’re forced to spend a lot of time.
All this negativity can be draining, but after a couple of weeks witnessing what was happening amongst this otherwise-nice group of people, it occurred to me that it wasn’t (and mostly never is) the actions of the person being a bitch/in a bad mood/having a rubbish day/acting like a negative Nancy, that makes a room dull with downer energy. It is actually, us, or accurately, those who play into someone else’s problem, and make it a bigger issue than it needs to be.
We may like some co-workers, clients, sales reps, consultants and supervisors we more than others, and that’s ok. But inevitably, a lot of time is spent together as we each toil to generate income, so what if we were to choose to focus on defusing dark situations rather than simply focussing ON the situation alone.
Here’s what I’ve learned │ co-working karma
Let it go; everyone has ‘their thing’ going on.
Be forgiving (it’s more pleasant than being resentful).
Practice kindness – often that’s the ingredient missing in others’ lives.
Don’t be afraid to instigate peace – grudges are so last decade.
Choose better thoughts; the more you worry about the issue, the bigger it becomes.
Devise ways for your team to get-together socially – a relaxed, fun out-of-work environment can put people at ease, assisting individuals to move past office-related issues.
As always, two choices exist. We can spend time being bummed about a situation or someone’s bad attitude; or we can bring light and a little love to the experience. It’s as easy as starting with ourselves, and considering whether or not we’re taking ownership of the energy, actions, attitude and beliefs we are individually putting forward.
If you’re currently having difficulties in your work life, try this before reacting defensively or destructively: think kindly towards those causing you grief. In your mind, wish them a day as nice as you hope yours will be, and try to get into this kinder mindset before setting foot in the office or into the meeting you’ve been dreading. It’s easy to forget that everyone has their own thing going on, and that it’s up to us to each show up with grace, gratitude, and a tidied-up attitude. With this in mind, it could be you who singlehandedly brings warmth to cold times.
By Sarah Blinco. Originally published, Get it Magazine, June 2015
My friends appreciate that if forced to choose a persona, I’m definitely more Mulder than Scully (if you’re not familiar with these terms – characters, actually – you will certainly understand what I’m on about by January 2016). I’m a truth-is-out-there, we-are-not-alone, life-does-not-end-here kinda gal. But, it’s because I actually do believe in ghosts, spirits, mediums and another life (or lives, as the case may be) that I’m rather well-read on the topic.
If you’re not or do not care, don’t bother reading on.
Review The Unbelievable Truth
My brother and I have discussed the spirit world and paranormal experiences at length since a young age. We’ve always been ‘aware’. Additionally, I’ve met gifted psychic mediums and know for absolute sure the ‘real deal’ exists (on the Gold Coast in Australia, actually).
I’m always interested to hear what people have to say on the topic of connecting with life after death, so was intrigued to discover details on Gordon Smith’s newest release and have the opportunity to review The Unbelievable Truth.
Gordon is touted as being one of the UK’s most gifted mediums (of interest to me, now I’m based in London!). I’ve just finished his book and am happy to report I found it an enjoyable, enlightening read, covering topics of age-old interest and debate, including life after death, reincarnation, near death experiences, and encounters with ghosts and spirits.
Here’s a few of my personal take-aways:
The difference between psychics and mediums – I’d always used the term interchangeably, but Gordon says it’s mediums who are responsible for putting you in touch with dearly departed friends and family. Psychics are insightful with regards to life circumstances; and future-tellers are gifted with another certain gift. Some possess a mix of these talents; some are simply (sadly) frauds, preying on the vulnerable.
On reincarnation, Gordon discusses the paths we can take which might see us moving on into a spirit world (where, incidentally, we keep evolving and learning – we don’t just cross over and dwell in the light, as far as I can tell); Or, we might come back and live another life, learn some more lessons, and move forward towards a higher understanding of life and living.
Be good in this life because you don’t leave it behind; karma moves with us, no matter where you end up.
While I understand ‘ghosts’ to consist of various types, in particular, ‘residual energy’ and ‘intelligent energy’, Gordon describes ghosts as that energy (or imprint) which is left behind in a place or space (residual). A ghost is something that appears, but isn’t actually interacting with us. However, Gordon says spirits are the intelligent entities that are actually trying to communicate with us – they move things around, show themselves and communicate important messages. Interestingly, he believes most paranormal activity is actually a manifestation caused by the emotions of a person or group of people – a proposition I’d not previously considered.
We keep learning on the other side, but the more you pursue enlightenment here (and associated appreciation of gratitude, empathy and kindness), the smoother your transition might potentially be, no matter what ‘the other side’ may be.
Gordon infuses a warm sense of Scottish storytelling and humour within his tales of personal experience regarding life as a medium, and empathy into stories about those who he has helped by way of connecting to lost loved-ones. I enjoyed his descriptions of how mediums and psychics gain their information, his explanations around many misconceptions or myths surrounding paranormal activity, and appreciated his frank explanations of what mediums can and can’t do. He discusses his evolution from gifted child to practiced medium too, and it’s interesting to learn how this is a craft – like any other – that needs to be nurtured and honed over time.
Up until now, the book I’ve enjoyed most which explains this theme has been When Ghosts Speak, by American, Mary Ann Winkowski. Gordon’s book is akin to this in my mind, explaining extraordinary notions in layman’s terms. If you’re a believer and seeking further insight into how mediums communicate with the spirit world, how you might benefit from sitting with someone like Gordon (provided they’re legitimate – although he discusses this too), and what lies in store after this life, you’ll definitely be interested in this read.
The Unbelievable Truth by Gordon Smith (Hayhouse)
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All this negativity can be draining, but after a couple of weeks witnessing what was happening amongst this otherwise-nice group of people, it occurred to me that it wasn’t (and mostly never is) the actions of the person being a bitch/in a bad mood/having a rubbish day/acting like a negative Nancy, that makes a room dull with downer energy. It is actually, us, or accurately, those who play into someone else’s problem, and make it a bigger issue than it needs to be.
My friends appreciate that if forced to choose a persona, I’m definitely more Mulder than Scully (if you’re not familiar with these terms – characters, actually – you will certainly understand what I’m on about by January 2016). I’m a truth-is-out-there, we-are-not-alone, life-does-not-end-here kinda gal. But, it’s because I actually do believe in ghosts, spirits, mediums and another life (or lives, as the case may be) that I’m rather well-read on the topic.