Practical, evidence-based articles for parents on dyslexia, reading science, and supporting children with learning difficulties.https://www.flourishingkids.in/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/what-is-the-orton-gillingham-approach/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/what-is-the-orton-gillingham-approach/Orton-Gillingham is a structured, multisensory way of teaching reading, built for children with dyslexia. Here is how it works and why it helps them.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-personalised-strategies-help-kids-flourish/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-personalised-strategies-help-kids-flourish/One-size-fits-all teaching fails children with learning challenges. How to find your child's profile, tailor strategies, and build the home that fits them.Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-phonemic-awareness/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-phonemic-awareness/Phonemic awareness, hearing and playing with the sounds inside words, is the strongest early predictor of reading success. What it is and how to build it.Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/ways-of-self-expression-in-adolescents-and-teenagers/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/ways-of-self-expression-in-adolescents-and-teenagers/Teens express identity through appearance, art, digital life and activism. How to read it, why it fluctuates, and eight ways to keep the channels healthy.Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/different-ways-of-self-expression-for-younger-children/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/different-ways-of-self-expression-for-younger-children/Children express feelings long before they can explain them: through crying, play, art and sensory exploration. The emotional stages by age, and how to help.Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-interactive-learning-can-help-children/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-interactive-learning-can-help-children/Interactive learning swaps passive listening for participation: games, quizzes, group work, simulations. What it builds in a child and why retention improves.Fri, 22 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-things-that-have-changed-for-kids-over-time/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-things-that-have-changed-for-kids-over-time/Education, mental health, playtime, peer influence and family life all look different for today's kids. What changed, and how parents can help children cope.Tue, 12 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/engaging-sel-activities-for-every-age/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/engaging-sel-activities-for-every-age/Social-emotional learning lifts academic scores by 16 percent in Indian studies. Age-wise SEL activities from toddler mood charts to high-school journaling.Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/benefits-of-sel-guided-classrooms/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/benefits-of-sel-guided-classrooms/Across 207 studies and 288,000 students, SEL classrooms lifted achievement 11 percentile points and cut distress 10 percent. The five skills and why they work.Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-power-of-praise-building-confidence-in-children-with-learning-difficulty-through-positive-reinf/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-power-of-praise-building-confidence-in-children-with-learning-difficulty-through-positive-reinf/Praise is one of the five most effective classroom practices, and it matters most for struggling learners. How to use positive reinforcement well daily.Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/small-group-activities-for-young-children-with-learning-difficulties/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/small-group-activities-for-young-children-with-learning-difficulties/Group work lets children with learning difficulties borrow confidence from a team. Four activities that work: read-alongs, role plays, games and playdates.Sun, 18 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-teachers-can-guide-students-with-learning-difficulty-in-a-classroom/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-teachers-can-guide-students-with-learning-difficulty-in-a-classroom/Teachers are usually first to spot a learning difficulty. The signs to look for, and classroom strategies for movement, blackboard, instruction and feedback.Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-teach-your-child-about-personal-hygiene/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-teach-your-child-about-personal-hygiene/The five hygiene habits every child needs: food, hand, body, health and oral. Plus six parent tips, from germ games to charts, that make cleanliness stick.Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-parents-can-teach-their-children-about-personal-space/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-parents-can-teach-their-children-about-personal-space/Personal space is a safety lesson as much as a social one. The four distance zones, why consent over hugs matters, and five ways to teach boundaries at home.Mon, 22 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/ways-in-which-parents-can-help-their-children-learn-a-lesson-on-patience/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/ways-in-which-parents-can-help-their-children-learn-a-lesson-on-patience/Patience can be taught, starting with one-minute waits and turn-taking games. Why it matters for school, stress and friendships, and five ways to build it.Sun, 14 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-can-parents-help-their-children-make-new-friends/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-can-parents-help-their-children-make-new-friends/Friendship runs on learnable skills: empathy, communication, apologising, handling emotions. Five ways parents help, from role-playing hellos to playdates.Fri, 05 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/ways-to-help-get-your-child-excited-about-learning/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/ways-to-help-get-your-child-excited-about-learning/Ten parent strategies that turn learning into something a child wants: games, real-life connections, reading nooks, curiosity, choice and your own example.Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-handle-back-to-school-anxiety/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-handle-back-to-school-anxiety/Back-to-school jitters are normal and usually fade in weeks. The red flags that say otherwise, plus practical ways to ease separation and social anxiety.Mon, 17 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/online-resources-for-a-good-storytime/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/online-resources-for-a-good-storytime/Eight trustworthy websites for online storytime, from Storyline Online's actor read-alouds to India's own StoryWeaver and Amar Chitra Katha comics.Mon, 27 May 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/important-aspects-of-a-good-storytime/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/important-aspects-of-a-good-storytime/The craft of a great storytime: right books, a cozy spot, voice modulation, pacing, pauses, props and post-story talk. Small techniques, big difference.Mon, 20 May 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/why-is-storytime-so-crucial-for-children/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/why-is-storytime-so-crucial-for-children/Storytime builds early literacy, empathy, listening and parent-child bonds, and research links it to toddlers' social and emotional growth. Here is why.Mon, 13 May 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/pre-reading-activities-to-try-with-your-toddler/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/pre-reading-activities-to-try-with-your-toddler/Children get ready to read years before school. The six pre-reading skills, from vocabulary to letter knowledge, and easy home activities that build each.Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/way-to-build-phonological-awareness-to-young-children/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/way-to-build-phonological-awareness-to-young-children/Phonological awareness, noticing the sounds inside spoken language, starts around age 3 and predicts reading success. Five playful ways to build it early.Tue, 09 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/music-movement-activities-to-develop-prewriting-skills/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/music-movement-activities-to-develop-prewriting-skills/Drumming, dancing and rhythm games build the fine motor control, coordination and timing that writing needs. How music prepares little hands for the pencil.Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-develop-fine-motor-skills-at-home/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-develop-fine-motor-skills-at-home/Fine motor skills power writing, eating and dressing, and they are built through play: playdough, beads, lacing, magnet fishing and scissors. A home guide.Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-boost-your-child-s-self-worth/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-boost-your-child-s-self-worth/Self-worth is a child's inner sense of being good enough, separate from grades or wins. What shapes it, the signs it is low, and six ways parents can build it.Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/why-interpersonal-skills-should-be-taught-in-a-classroom/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/why-interpersonal-skills-should-be-taught-in-a-classroom/Emotional awareness and relationship skills are 'master skills': nurture them and children improve everywhere. Why classrooms must teach them deliberately.Mon, 05 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-can-educators-make-students-think-more-creatively/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-can-educators-make-students-think-more-creatively/Creative pedagogy turns passive students into active learners. Classroom methods that build creative thinking: design challenges, brainstorming and role play.Mon, 15 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-raise-your-child-as-a-creative-thinker/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-raise-your-child-as-a-creative-thinker/Creative thinking builds resilience, confidence and problem solving. The 5 E's parents can practise at home, plus five tools from mind maps to thinking hats.Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-things-that-can-keep-your-child-occupied-during-travel/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-things-that-can-keep-your-child-occupied-during-travel/Screen-free ways to keep kids happy on a trip: storybooks, activity books, word games, puzzles and memory games, plus making the travel itself educational.Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-amazing-things-to-try-out-for-a-quality-family-time/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-amazing-things-to-try-out-for-a-quality-family-time/Quality family time needs no grand planning: game nights, movie evenings, impromptu outings, shared dinners and family art all build bonds that protect kids.Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-board-games-can-foster-learning-in-kids/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-board-games-can-foster-learning-in-kids/Board games build social skills, cognition, literacy, resilience and family bonds, and research finds them beating direct instruction. The complete case.Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-parents-can-use-science-of-reading/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-parents-can-use-science-of-reading/The science of reading is the research on how reading is really learned. What it says, the eight facts parents should know, and home activities that apply it.Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-interesting-activities-to-help-kids-improve-speaking-skills/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-interesting-activities-to-help-kids-improve-speaking-skills/Speaking improves through play: picture fun, would-you-rather, mystery box, story prompts and disappearing text, five games that build confident talkers.Sun, 27 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/know-about-the-5cs-of-verbal-communication/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/know-about-the-5cs-of-verbal-communication/Clarity, cohesiveness, completeness, correctness and conciseness: the checklist that turns a child's jumbled thoughts into speech people want to hear.Mon, 21 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/10-children-s-newspapers-magazines-that-are-worth-trying/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/10-children-s-newspapers-magazines-that-are-worth-trying/From RobinAge and Young World to Tinkle and NatGeo Kids: ten Indian children's newspapers and magazines, sorted by age, that build the daily reading habit.Sun, 13 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/reading-beyond-books-fun-options-for-kids-and-parents/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/reading-beyond-books-fun-options-for-kids-and-parents/A child who resists books can still become a reader. Ten alternatives, magazines, comics, manuals, scripts and road signs, that build the same reading muscle.Tue, 08 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/helpful-time-management-apps-for-students/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/helpful-time-management-apps-for-students/Eight time-management apps by age, from Bear Focus Timer for 5-year-olds to Trello and Google Calendar for teens, and why the paper calendar still comes first.Sat, 29 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-parents-can-help-kids-learn-about-time-management/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-parents-can-help-kids-learn-about-time-management/Time management starts with teaching the value of time itself. Five parent strategies plus a calendar system for students, from to-do lists to daily habits.Mon, 24 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/social-skills-activities-that-can-help-your-child/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/social-skills-activities-that-can-help-your-child/Eleven games that build social skills: Pictionary, Emotion Bingo, role plays, the telephone game, blindfold challenges and more, matched to what each teaches.Sun, 25 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-make-your-child-learn-about-sharing/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-make-your-child-learn-about-sharing/Kids share when it is their choice: research is clear on that. Six gentle ways to grow sharing, from turn-taking games to respecting their possessions.Sun, 18 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-help-kids-learn-about-empathy/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-help-kids-learn-about-empathy/Empathy shows up as early as 12 months and grows with practice: name your feelings, honour theirs, use books and films, create chances to help, praise it.Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-importance-of-good-social-skills-for-kids/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-importance-of-good-social-skills-for-kids/Children with strong social skills are twice as likely to reach higher education. What social skills include, why they slipped post-Covid, and why they matter.Sat, 03 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-support-your-child-s-good-mental-health-as-a-parent/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-support-your-child-s-good-mental-health-as-a-parent/An estimated 50 million children in India live with mental health issues, and parents are the first line of support. Five ways to be the parent they turn to.Sun, 28 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/preparing-your-child-for-a-new-school/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/preparing-your-child-for-a-new-school/Changing schools is a big move for a child. How to build excitement, brief the teachers, practise the routine and watch the first weeks for warning signs.Fri, 12 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/preparing-your-child-for-a-new-grade/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/preparing-your-child-for-a-new-grade/Use the holidays to get your child ready for the next grade: preview new subjects, revise the basics, build soft skills and restart routines before day one.Fri, 05 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/common-handwriting-challenges-and-their-remedies/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/common-handwriting-challenges-and-their-remedies/Spacing, letter shapes, grip and posture: the three big handwriting problems, why 10 to 30 percent of children struggle, and practical remedies that work.Tue, 25 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/choosing-the-right-tools-for-your-child-s-handwriting-journey/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/choosing-the-right-tools-for-your-child-s-handwriting-journey/The wrong pencil trains the wrong habits. How to pick pencils by softness, thickness, length and shape, and how to choose the first pen when the time comes.Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-art-of-handwriting-its-importance-benefits/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-art-of-handwriting-its-importance-benefits/Writing by hand activates the brain, reinforces reading, and beats typing for young learners. Six benefits of handwriting in a typing-first world for kids.Fri, 07 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-summarize-and-paraphrase-effectively/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-summarize-and-paraphrase-effectively/Summarizing condenses to main points; paraphrasing restates in your own words. The difference, the benefits for students, and steps for doing each well.Fri, 24 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-can-you-support-neurodiverse-students-in-a-classroom-as-an-educator/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-can-you-support-neurodiverse-students-in-a-classroom-as-an-educator/Five practical ways teachers can support neurodiverse students: psychological safety, strengths mapping, varied methods, smaller steps, high expectations.Fri, 17 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-make-a-read-aloud-interesting/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-make-a-read-aloud-interesting/Seven ways to make reading aloud exciting: the right book, new locations, life connections, dress-up, reader's theatre, big voices and follow-on projects.Sun, 12 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/effective-resources-for-developing-early-literacy-skills/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/effective-resources-for-developing-early-literacy-skills/A parent's resource kit for early literacy: books and reading rituals, talk and song ideas, first writing activities, pretend play, and the best free apps.Fri, 27 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/what-are-the-signs-of-early-literacy-challenges/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/what-are-the-signs-of-early-literacy-challenges/Age-by-age signs that a child's pre-reading skills need attention, from late talking at three to trouble blending sounds at five, and when to seek help.Fri, 20 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/can-repeated-reading-help-your-child/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/can-repeated-reading-help-your-child/Repeated reading builds decoding automaticity and comprehension in struggling readers. The research behind it, plus a 5-step routine to use at home.Sun, 15 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-magic-of-positive-parenting/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-magic-of-positive-parenting/Positive parenting builds on strengths, empathy and firm, kind boundaries. What the research shows, how to practise it daily, and the toxic-positivity trap.Mon, 19 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/parenting-2023-getting-to-know-your-child/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/parenting-2023-getting-to-know-your-child/Ten minutes of focused attention a day builds a child's trust, mental health and even grades. Why connection matters and nine simple ways to make it daily.Fri, 09 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/helpful-tips-on-the-right-pressure-and-grip-for-better-handwriting/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/helpful-tips-on-the-right-pressure-and-grip-for-better-handwriting/Pressing too hard tires the hand; too light and the page is unreadable. How grips develop by age, and playful fixes for heavy and light pencil pressure.Fri, 02 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/why-are-pre-writing-skills-important/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/why-are-pre-writing-skills-important/Pre-writing skills are the strokes and strength a child masters before letters. The age-by-age sequence, readiness signs, and hands-on activities to build them.Fri, 04 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/role-of-a-teacher-in-helping-a-dyslexic-learner/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/role-of-a-teacher-in-helping-a-dyslexic-learner/Four out of five dyslexic children leave school unidentified. Why teachers matter so much for dyslexic learners, and what understanding dyslexia changes.Fri, 21 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/tongue-twisters-for-improving-concentration/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/tongue-twisters-for-improving-concentration/Tongue twisters sharpen pronunciation, strengthen speech muscles and demand real focus. Why they work, how to practise them, and ten favourites to try.Thu, 29 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/different-types-of-attention/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/different-types-of-attention/Focused, sustained, selective, divided and alternating: the five types of attention, what each looks like in a child, and why the distinction guides help.Fri, 16 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-amazing-activities-to-develop-visual-attention-in-kids/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-amazing-activities-to-develop-visual-attention-in-kids/Seeing and attending are different skills. What visual attention is, the warning signs of processing trouble, and five home games that train the noticing eye.Fri, 09 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/top-10-book-suggestions-for-teaching-kids-about-social-skills/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/top-10-book-suggestions-for-teaching-kids-about-social-skills/Stories teach social skills better than lectures. Ten picture books covering acceptance, kindness, courage and sharing, and why these skills matter early.Fri, 26 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-3vs-of-reading-comprehension/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-3vs-of-reading-comprehension/A simple routine that makes children active readers: picture the story, talk it through, then put the new words to work. How the 3Vs build comprehension.Sat, 30 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/why-should-we-stop-saying-don-t-worry-to-kids-too-often/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/why-should-we-stop-saying-don-t-worry-to-kids-too-often/Telling a child 'don't worry' teaches them that feeling scared is wrong. Why worry is useful information, and what to say instead to build real coping skills.Sat, 16 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-can-you-help-your-child-to-stand-up-to-bullying/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-can-you-help-your-child-to-stand-up-to-bullying/Bullied children usually blame themselves and suffer alone. Eleven ways parents can spot the signs, rebuild confidence and help a child stand up safely.Fri, 08 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/what-is-cyberbullying-and-why-you-need-to-know-about-it/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/what-is-cyberbullying-and-why-you-need-to-know-about-it/Indian children face the world's highest online risk, and 22% experience cyberbullying. What it looks like, where it happens and ten ways to protect them.Fri, 01 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-things-you-didn-t-know-about-bullying/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-things-you-didn-t-know-about-bullying/Bullying is learned behaviour, most bullies stop when a peer steps in, and children with disabilities are targeted most. Five facts every parent should know.Thu, 23 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-teach-kids-responsibility-around-the-house/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-teach-kids-responsibility-around-the-house/Children are not born responsible; they learn it in small jobs at home. What responsibility actually means, why it matters, and five ways to build it early.Thu, 02 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/understanding-the-frayer-model-for-vocabulary-building/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/understanding-the-frayer-model-for-vocabulary-building/The Frayer Model is a four-square organizer: definition, characteristics, examples and non-examples. How to use it to teach words that actually stick.Fri, 27 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-importance-of-extracurricular-activities/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-importance-of-extracurricular-activities/Extracurricular activities lift grades, confidence and social skills. Why they matter, what Indian students choose, and five unconventional clubs worth a look.Wed, 11 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/your-words-matter-what-not-to-say-in-the-classroom/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/your-words-matter-what-not-to-say-in-the-classroom/Research shows positive teacher language lifts student motivation, behaviour and results. What to avoid saying in class, and better phrasings that work.Wed, 04 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-importance-of-mindfulness-for-kids/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-importance-of-mindfulness-for-kids/Mindfulness improves children's focus, academics and stress levels, and it can be taught through simple breath games like teddy bear breathing. A how-to.Wed, 20 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/why-children-s-movies-are-great-for-learning/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/why-children-s-movies-are-great-for-learning/Watched together, children's movies build visualisation, analysis and values. Why co-viewing is the key, and how family movie night becomes a learning ritual.Thu, 14 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-dyslexia/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-dyslexia/A dyslexia diagnosis raises hard questions for a child. Eight practical pointers for explaining what dyslexia means, kindly and honestly, without shame.Thu, 07 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-we-connect-with-the-book-we-read/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-we-connect-with-the-book-we-read/Children abandon books they cannot connect with. The three connection types and five strategies that turn reading into understanding, memory and enjoyment.Thu, 24 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/spelling-is-not-a-matter-of-memorization-part-1/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/spelling-is-not-a-matter-of-memorization-part-1/Rote memory holds two or three letters at best. Spelling is learned through sounds, patterns and word origins: the grade-by-grade path, and what works better.Fri, 11 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/speaking-out-about-spanking/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/speaking-out-about-spanking/77% of Indian parents spank their children, and 72% feel guilty right after. What brain research says spanking really does to kids, and what to do instead.Thu, 03 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-take-care-of-the-emotional-health-of-your-child/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-take-care-of-the-emotional-health-of-your-child/Children carry mental stress just as adults do: exams, bullying, family strain, peer pressure. The warning signs and six ways parents can help them cope.Thu, 24 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-importance-of-child-led-free-play/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-importance-of-child-led-free-play/Free play, where the child leads and the adult follows, builds self-regulation, creativity and decision making. What it looks like and how to encourage it.Wed, 09 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/top-10-learning-apps-for-young-kids/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/top-10-learning-apps-for-young-kids/Ten learning apps that earn their screen time, Starfall to Khan Academy Kids and Epic, what makes a good one, and the supervision rules that keep them useful.Fri, 04 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-history-of-english-writing/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-history-of-english-writing/From Sumerian clay to Shakespeare, English writing is layers of borrowed alphabets and vocabularies. That history explains every spelling quirk kids fight.Thu, 27 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/10-amazing-book-suggestions-for-8-to-10-year-old-kids/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/10-amazing-book-suggestions-for-8-to-10-year-old-kids/Reading interest often drops around age nine. Ten books that fight the 'decline by nine', from Wimpy Kid to Ruskin Bond, plus the milestones to watch for.Thu, 20 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/reading-fluently-does-not-mean-reading-fast/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/reading-fluently-does-not-mean-reading-fast/Fluency is accuracy, rate and expression working together for comprehension, not raw speed. How to tell the difference in your child, and ways to practise.Thu, 06 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-improve-reading-comprehension-for-young-learners/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-improve-reading-comprehension-for-young-learners/Comprehension turns words into thoughts. What research says about why it breaks down, and what to do before, during and after reading to strengthen it.Wed, 29 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/learning-style-is-a-myth/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/learning-style-is-a-myth/Children have learning preferences, but research finds no evidence that teaching to a 'learning style' improves results. What works instead: all modalities.Thu, 23 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/neuroplasticity-and-learning/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/neuroplasticity-and-learning/Neuroplasticity is the brain's lifelong ability to form new connections, strongest in childhood. What it means for learning, and how to strengthen it daily.Thu, 16 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/should-i-be-concerned-if-my-child-is-not-reading-correctly-from-the-storybook/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/should-i-be-concerned-if-my-child-is-not-reading-correctly-from-the-storybook/Occasional misreads are normal; constant guessing is not. How to tell the difference, correct storybook reading gently, and know when to seek expert help.Wed, 08 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/what-happens-to-our-brain-when-we-start-learning/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/what-happens-to-our-brain-when-we-start-learning/Learning physically rewires the brain: neurons connect at synapses, myelin tunes the speed, and repetition strengthens the links. Why 'learn it, link it' works.Thu, 02 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/a-simple-view-of-reading/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/a-simple-view-of-reading/The Simple View of Reading says comprehension equals decoding times language comprehension. What the formula reveals about why your child struggles.Wed, 24 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/all-about-phonological-working-memory/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/all-about-phonological-working-memory/Phonological working memory holds sounds just long enough to use them. Why it sits near the heart of dyslexia, and how to lighten the load for learners.Wed, 17 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/are-you-an-active-listener-to-your-child/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/are-you-an-active-listener-to-your-child/62 percent of kids say their parents are too distracted to listen. What active listening looks like, the CDC's five skills, and the SOLER method explained.Tue, 09 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/two-modes-of-thinking/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/two-modes-of-thinking/Focused thinking drills into the problem; diffuse thinking wanders and connects the dots. Why a walk after study works, and how children can use both modes.Thu, 28 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-keep-your-kids-focused-during-homework-time/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-keep-your-kids-focused-during-homework-time/Homework focus is built, not demanded: planned goals, brain breaks every 20 to 30 minutes, a dedicated study space, subject switching and honest rewards.Wed, 20 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/is-dyslexia-hereditary/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/is-dyslexia-hereditary/Dyslexia runs in families: a child with a dyslexic parent has roughly a 49 percent chance of having it too. Here is what that means and how to help early.Thu, 07 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-do-logos-help-kids-to-learn/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-do-logos-help-kids-to-learn/Long before children can read, they recognise brand logos, and that skill is a stepping stone to reading. The science, plus five logo games to play at home.Thu, 16 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-ways-to-boost-early-literacy-skills-without-a-book/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/5-ways-to-boost-early-literacy-skills-without-a-book/Books are not the only path to early literacy. Talk, play, sing, write and do: five everyday activities that build a toddler's language before reading starts.Thu, 09 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-importance-of-goal-setting-for-students/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-importance-of-goal-setting-for-students/A wish becomes a goal when it gets a plan. Why goal setting lifts student achievement, its seven benefits, and how to make goals measurable at any age.Thu, 02 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/difference-between-special-education-and-remedial-education/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/difference-between-special-education-and-remedial-education/Remedial education helps children of average or higher intelligence close a learning gap. Special education serves wider needs. How to tell which fits.Fri, 27 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/teaching-vocabulary-to-dyslexic-learners/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/teaching-vocabulary-to-dyslexic-learners/Dyslexic learners read less, so they meet fewer new words. Nine practical ways to build vocabulary anyway: small doses, all the senses, and lots of context.Thu, 19 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-importance-of-corrective-feedback/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/the-importance-of-corrective-feedback/Corrective feedback redirects a mistake into learning without shame. The five forms it takes, why it works, and how to deliver it calmly and effectively.Thu, 12 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/10-amazing-books-every-teenager-must-read/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/10-amazing-books-every-teenager-must-read/Ten books for the 12-to-16 transition years, from graphic novels about anxiety to Booker winners, plus the reading milestones a 12-year-old should reach.Tue, 03 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/understanding-learning-difficulties/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/understanding-learning-difficulties/A learning difficulty affects one specific form of learning, not a child's intelligence. Two classroom stories, the key definitions, and where help starts.Thu, 29 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-nurture-an-active-listener/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-nurture-an-active-listener/We spend 45 percent of our time listening, and do it poorly. How to raise a child who truly listens: eye contact, no interrupting, and the FACT technique.Thu, 22 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/a-look-into-wordless-books/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/a-look-into-wordless-books/Wordless picture books let a child tell the story themselves, building comprehension, vocabulary and confidence at any reading level. How to use them well.Thu, 15 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/what-is-a-read-aloud/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/what-is-a-read-aloud/A read-aloud is expressive reading to a child, and research links it to memory, vocabulary and lifelong reading. What it is, its benefits, and how to do it.Wed, 07 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/ways-to-support-your-child-during-online-classes/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/ways-to-support-your-child-during-online-classes/Online classes strain focus, doubt-clearing and writing speed, hardest for struggling learners. How parents can work with teachers and help from home.Wed, 30 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/should-i-retain-my-child-in-the-same-grade/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/should-i-retain-my-child-in-the-same-grade/Research says grade retention rarely fixes the real problem. The academic and emotional questions to ask first, and what usually works better than repeating.Thu, 17 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-teach-word-meanings-to-kids/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-teach-word-meanings-to-kids/When your child asks what a word means, the way you answer builds their vocabulary. Eight simple habits, from dictionary hunts to drawing the meaning.Thu, 10 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/b-and-d-confusion-in-kids/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/b-and-d-confusion-in-kids/Mixing up b and d is normal until about age 7 and is not automatically dyslexia. Why young brains flip letters, plus three ways to correct it at home.Fri, 04 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-make-story-time-interactive/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/how-to-make-story-time-interactive/Eight ways to turn story time from listening into learning: book tours, questions, finger tracking, word strips, personal connections and the PEER sequence.Wed, 26 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/a-look-into-decodable-books/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/a-look-into-decodable-books/Decodable books use only the phonics a child has already been taught, so beginners sound out every word instead of guessing. How to choose and use them well.Wed, 12 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/a-look-into-multisensory-teaching/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/a-look-into-multisensory-teaching/Multisensory teaching engages sight, sound, touch and movement together. Why it is the most effective method for struggling readers, with techniques to try.Sat, 01 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/top-ten-myths-about-dyslexia/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/top-ten-myths-about-dyslexia/Dyslexia is not a disease, a vision problem, or a sign of low intelligence. A dyslexia therapist separates the ten most common myths from the real facts.Sat, 24 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/early-indicators-of-learning-difficulty/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/early-indicators-of-learning-difficulty/Learning difficulties leave clues well before Grade 3. The early signs parents and teachers can watch for in preschool and UKG children, from a therapist.Sat, 17 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/all-about-dyslexia/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/all-about-dyslexia/What dyslexia is, how common it is in India, the signs in reading, spelling and writing, and why early intervention changes everything. A parent's primer.Fri, 09 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/activities-for-auditory-attention-in-kids/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/activities-for-auditory-attention-in-kids/Auditory attention lets a child pick the teacher's voice out of a noisy room. Five zero-prep games, Simon Says to sound hunts, that train the listening ear.Thu, 01 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/activities-for-sustained-attention-in-4-to-7-year-old-kids/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/activities-for-sustained-attention-in-4-to-7-year-old-kids/Inattention at this age is rarely ADHD. Four playful activities, memory games, letter hunts, crosswords and newspaper searches, that stretch a child's focus.Wed, 24 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/activities-for-sustained-attention-in-babies-and-toddlers/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/activities-for-sustained-attention-in-babies-and-toddlers/A 2-year-old's attention span is four to six minutes, and it grows with practice. Age-by-age norms plus five simple activities that stretch focus early.Wed, 17 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/what-are-remedial-classes-and-why-some-kids-need-it/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/what-are-remedial-classes-and-why-some-kids-need-it/Remedial classes bridge the gap between what a child knows and what their age expects, using systematic, multisensory teaching. How they differ from tuition.Wed, 03 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/evolving-fluent-readers/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/evolving-fluent-readers/Once a child starts reading, fluency is the next hill: automatic words, meaning intact. Five ways to nurture it, plus the books that pull children along.Wed, 24 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/exploring-reading-with-the-beginning-readers/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/exploring-reading-with-the-beginning-readers/How to support a beginning reader: the five-finger book check, word games that teach without any drilling, and book series matched to their first steps.Thu, 18 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/reading-to-preschoolers/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/reading-to-preschoolers/How to read to a 3-to-5-year-old: playful letter learning, rhyme games, the right storybooks and the PEER routine, plus what to do when they will not sit.Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/importance-of-reading-to-infants-and-toddlers/https://www.flourishingkids.in/blog/importance-of-reading-to-infants-and-toddlers/Babies read to from 8 months grew their vocabularies 40 percent versus 16 without. Why to start by 3 months, which books to pick, and how to read to a baby.Wed, 03 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMT