Monthly Archives: January 2014

Did you hear me on Radio 5 this morning?

Posted on January 28, 2014 by olivehickmott

I was talking with Nicky Campbell this morning on Radio 5. It is worth you listening to the whole programme. Here is the link http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03s689x Highlights: Nick Gibb, MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton agreed with me, in principle but … Continue reading →

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Is imposing Synthetic phonics “almost abuse”

Posted on January 28, 2014 by olivehickmott

According to Andrew Davis, research fellow at Durham University, insisting that children who can already read when they start school must learn synthetic phonics is “almost a form of abuse”.  There are several reports about his publication To read or … Continue reading →

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Does maths make you shiver?

Posted on January 24, 2014 by olivehickmott

Mental imagery will improve our Maths results When you are faced with maths does a cold shiver run down your spine? This is the experience of many and no wonder that numeracy is always in the top 10, quite often … Continue reading →

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#TES: Reading is all in the mind’s eye

Posted on January 10, 2014 by olivehickmott

Published in the #Times Educational Supplement today: Reading is all in the mind’s eye

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Creating positive mental wellbeing at school and at home

Posted on January 9, 2014 by olivehickmott

  Thursday 16th  january 2014  7.30PM TO 9.30PM Three members of the Harpenden Complementary Health group work extensively with schools and families to help create a positive sense of mental wellbeing.  Young people have fun learning: To understand their own … Continue reading →

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Empowering Learning in Chepstow, Monmouthshire

Posted on January 7, 2014 by olivehickmott

Brendan Dobrowonly, empoweringlearningwales@gmail.com is an Empowering Learning Practitioner in Chepstow, Monmouthshire. Take a look at what his clients say about him and the Empowering Learning skills he teaches. E. Hunter. Gilwern, Monmouthshire says: “Thanks Brendan ! My 13yr old, who … Continue reading →

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One simple question to transform literacy challenges

Posted on January 6, 2014 by olivehickmott

Fluent reading and accurate spelling is dependent on people being able create a mental image of a word in their mind’s eye. Not the shape of it, the actual word.  Ask anyone who is skilled, to spell a difficult word … Continue reading →

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Overcoming Dyslexia: What do you enjoy #reading?

Posted on January 3, 2014 by olivehickmott

It a natural thing that when you find it difficult to read, or in some cases impossible you make up all sorts of reasons why it doesn’t matter, to avoid feeling stupid. You convince yourself that there is no value … Continue reading →

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Overcoming Dyslexia: Spelling in English just doesn’t make sense

Posted on January 2, 2014 by olivehickmott

I find it fascinating how children can become good readers and remain poor at spelling. Many of my students arrive in this confused state and their parents just can’t understand it. It makes no sense until you understand a little … Continue reading →

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How is learning to swim like learning to read?

Posted on January 2, 2014 by olivehickmott

Both are skills to be learned and there is more in common that you might think. First we learn to walk, how do we do that?  By watching others who are successful and copying them.  We don’t give up the … Continue reading →

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