POLOKWANE – With the end of the first term approaching, Review asked gr. 1 teachers and gr. 1 heads what advice they would give to parents for the next terms.
Lukie Sekowe has been teaching gr. 1 learners for the past 15 years, starting in Moletjie before moving to a school in the city, where she has been teaching for the past eight years.
She advised parents to get involved in their children’s daily activities and well-being.
“Making sure your child has a full school uniform will make them feel equal to their classmates no matter their backgrounds or the situation at home.”
Erika Scott is a gr. 1 head and has been a teacher for 40 years.
She advised parents to focus on their children’s diet when sending them to school.
“Reading to them and showing them that mom and dad also like to read will encourage the children to look at books differently and to make them part of their lives, which will ensure a love for reading and will assist them when they study in the future.”
Soekie Joubert has been teacher for the past 26 years and advised parents to help their children with homework.
She said playing word games to help broaden the child’s vocabulary will help them in becoming more self assured and help to develop their brains at a faster rate.
“Teaching children to be responsible plays a huge part in the development of discipline in the classroom and helps the child to take responsibility for their own progress, whatever they may be busy with.”
Maria Tema has been a primary school teacher for 33 years and said parents should avoid putting cooldrink in their children’s lunchboxes, but should instead give them water bottles, which could also be refilled at school.
“It is important for parents to award their children when they have accomplished something like reading well or calculation. It will encourage them to work hard and this will make a difference in the child’s future when they achieve goals.”
