Monday, July 20, 2020

Defining EFYS & It’s Benefits



“It’s easier to build strong children than repair broken adults,” a truly profound quote by F. Douglas that captures the importance of a strong foundation. In recent years, countless studies and articles shed light on the importance of early education. Children from a thriving learning environment grew to become well-rounded individuals. For instance, research conducted in 2002 analyzed African-American children from low-income families who received quality educational childcare. The study concluded that children who acquired education showed the following results:

A.  Significantly higher cognitive test scores
B.  Higher scores in mathematics and reading skills
C.  Attained more years of education
D.  Were more likely to attend university
E.  Were less likely to become teen parents

Understanding that quality education is the key to success and growth, educators developed standards for learning. Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is one such curriculum. In simple terms, EYFS supports professionals within the field to create a personalized plan that assists children (0 - 5 years) in utilizing their potential fully.

The Seven Areas of Focus:

Primarily, children will be focusing on and acquiring knowledge through seven areas of learning and development. It’s believed that initially children develop in three specific areas, they are:

1.  Physical Development
2.  Personal, Social, and Emotional Development
3.  Communication and Language

These three areas have a significant impact on the development of a child. As the child grows, these prime areas will assist progress in four other regions, they are:

1.  Literacy
2.  Mathematics
3.  Understanding the World
4.  Expressive Arts and Design

As each child is unique, EYFS is flexible to fit every child’s skills and talents. 

Benefits of EYFS:

A.  EYFS curriculum focuses on the value of children and their childhood, including their relationships with the environment, all of which will help them understand the world around them.

B.  It encourages consistent, responsive, and nurturing care, thus making the child feel loved and cared for.

C.  It encourages mentors to guide children towards building relationships through communicative practice and actively involve them in decision-making about things that affect them.

D.  It assists mentors and parents in creating an environment that encourages and supports their children.

As educators, we are continually seeking ways to provide higher quality education for the generation to come. The joy of witnessing children grow to well-rounded individuals is like no other. If you are passionate about EYFS, then Mind Booster is the place to be. We proudly offer a wide variety of teacher training courses in the UAE. Our EYFS Teacher Training Programs in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman guarantee you a comprehensive understanding of the topic.  Join Mind Booster and let us build a stronger, smarter, and kinder generation together.


Saturday, July 4, 2020

Phonics & Its Benefits



Whether you are an educator, a parent, or a student, you must have heard about phonics. Recently, countless experts have come forward to discuss the efficiency of phonics. Despite the debate, several people are still unaware of what phonics is and its importance in early childhood. If you are skeptical about phonics and its significance, then this article is for you!

What is Phonics?

Phonics is a part of linguistics where the sounds and physical properties of human speech are learned. The goal is to teach students the most common sound-spelling relationships so that they can decode words. Or in simple terms, phonics is the relationship between the letters of the alphabet and the sound those letters stand for in written words. By learning phonics, a child can quickly and easily decode unknown words.

Why is it important?  

1.  Decode New Words: As mentioned earlier, one of the significant benefits of teaching phonics is that it helps students decode new words. Instead of learning a new set of vowels each year, students can get a better understanding of the letters by learning its sounds.

2.  Better Spellers: When a child learns to break down words into sounds, he/she will be able to spell correctly. By understanding words and sounds, it boosts their confidence and continues writing with minimal mistakes.

3.  Rules of Language: Another benefit of learning phonics is that children understand the rules of the English language.  

4.  Fluent Readers: Once the child is proficient in decoding words, he/she can read quickly without stumbling. Therefore, they can easily transition into books that challenge their skills and master them soon.

5.  Reading Comprehension: Once decoding becomes second nature, a child automatically tries to understand the meaning of the context. Therefore, it improves their overall ability to comprehend the author’s message.

As you can see, phonics allows children to develop their reading skills. If you are passionate about teaching and building the future of tomorrow, then head over to Mind Booster, the leading establishment for teaching programs in UAE. Our Phonics and Grammar teacher training in UAE gives you a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Join Mind Booster and let us build a stronger, smarter, and kinder generation together.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Importance of Professional Development Workshop for Teachers


Learning is an endless journey. Whether you received a degree or started a career, the cycle never stops. As an educator, you know the various techniques and possess diverse skills that help create a positive classroom. However, in an era that is continually evolving, teachers are requested to explore more effective pedagogy. And, that’s where professional development workshops come to the rescue. TALIS (Teaching and Learning International Survey) defines professional development as “activities that help develop an individual’s skills, knowledge, expertise, and other characteristics as a teacher.” It can be in the form of a course, webinar, or workshop. Or, sometimes be informal like peer learning, independent research & reading, or discussions with colleagues. These activities are well-designed to tackle various aspects to ultimately improve the quality of education for students and help teachers advance in career. However, if you are skeptical about attending workshops, here are three reasons to change your mind! 

1. A Brand-New Way 

Workshops will explore new ways of guiding, teaching, and connecting with the students that you might not have thought of before. In a world consumed by technology, it’s necessary to remain up-to-date with the latest tech while learning methods to incorporate it with the curriculum successfully. Even as a new teacher, you need to juggle multiple unfamiliar issues. In such cases, professional development will be your helping hand. A 2020 research revealed how training programs effectively closed gaps between beginners and experienced teachers. Therefore, whether you are new or a pro, these workshops will certainly enhance your capabilities. 

2. Elevate Quality of Education 

Without a doubt, mentoring teachers elevate the quality of overall education. Studies conducted from 2017 to 2020 reported that quality of teaching significantly improved after attending professional development workshops. By gaining insights into the industry and learning various methodologies, teachers successfully created a thriving classroom. 

3. Grow Together 

No one understands the toils of being a teacher better than a teacher. By attending workshops, you will receive numerous advice and tips that will develop your skills. Listening and learning from real-life examples will surely give you an understanding of how to approach and tackle difficult situations. 

As you can see, professional development workshops are guaranteed to improve your overall teaching journey. If you are in search of exceptional workshops from expert mentors, then contact Mind Booster. We specialize in a wide variety of teaching programs in UAE and offer our teacher training programs in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. We proudly provide the best professional development workshops for teachers in the UAE. Join Mind Booster and let us build a stronger, smarter, and kinder generation together.