Parent classes make science sweeter
Parents of children at a Kenilworth school have gone back to the classroom for science lessons.
Warwickshire County Council’s community learning division has worked with Clinton School to offer the courses, based around key stage 1 of the curriculum. The purpose is to equip parents to help the children enjoy science and investigate the world around them.
The six week course was completed by eight parents at Clinton School. Exploring concepts such as friction and how liquids change shape, how electricity works, how forces work, the properties of different types of material and planets, the course aimed to refresh parents’ knowledge and showed them how to make children’s learning more interactive by showing how to do simple scientific investigations.
Helen Hayes was one of the parents at the course and has been applying what she has learnt to helping seven year old son Thomas with his homework. It was her third course of its type, organised by the County Council, having previously taken courses in numeracy and literacy.
Helen and Thomas have made up a science box which helps to stimulate their activities containing a magnifying glass, Bunsen burner, pipettes and other scientific tools. Helen says the box can often come in handy as an impromptu aid when faced with rainy days in. But the main benefit has been in helping Thomas. She said:
“The course was initially just a chance to dust off the grey cells. I shall soon be looking to get back into the workplace so it was good to get out, meet people and, although the course was fairly basic, it improved my confidence and got me back in the mindset of learning.
“But Thomas has benefitted enormously, as well. Homework is not an issue as I can help him and make it an altogether more enjoyable activity for both of us. And outside of homework it has helped him have an enquiring mind – he thinks “What would happen if…?” – and we try to solve problems together.”
Judith Shaw of the county’s community learning division whose remit includes widening family learning, said: “The courses were well attended and confirm what we have been told – that parents would like to help their children with homework but want to feel familiar and comfortable with the curriculum.
“We will be looking to do more courses at other schools and urge parents to come along. Obviously, it is good to learn but another tremendous benefit for the parents has been the chance to work alongside each other which will only strengthen the community.”
Jane Bates, head teacher at Clinton School says: “The course was an excellent idea. It increased the parents’ confidence in using scientific language and has given them ideas on how to stimulate and encourage their children at home.”