| Once, as a Learning Support Teacher, I made my way | | | | could |
| down to | | | | chat with her mum.This made me think again of the |
| the annexe that housed the school's History | | | | two I'd overheard on the way |
| Department.The annexe was about 100 metres from | | | | down. Unlike their 13th century counterparts, they |
| the main school | | | | could |
| building, down an attractive, leafy hill.On the way I was | | | | walk safely on a dry, tarmac surface and enjoy the |
| irked by two girls in front of me | | | | benefits |
| complaining about the | | | | of a good education. Yet they moaned and groaned . |
| hill, the wind ruffling their hair, the | | | | . .Yes, teaching - and parenting - teenagers brings its |
| distance from one classroom to another, and so on.I | | | | challenges!But if raising confident children is our goal, |
| joined the History class with the moans and groans still | | | | why not start early, and help them develop a sense |
| | | | of awe |
| ringing in my ears. However, the topic of the lesson | | | | and wonder. Help them realise how far we've |
| soon gripped me:Life in Thirteenth Century | | | | progressed.Stress the benefits growing families enjoy |
| Scotland.The ordinary people in those days lived in | | | | today - benefits |
| squalid huts, | | | | unavailable to our predecessors, for whom life was |
| unlike the nobles with their heavily fortified castles. But | | | | hell.Make your kids aware of the changes even since |
| even they faced many challenges. Fighting was a | | | | they were |
| way of life | | | | infants:iPods, mp3s, DVDs, multiplex cinemas, online |
| and the fear of attack preoccupied everyone.In the | | | | bookings, video |
| cold, draughty, disease-ridden castles people who lived | | | | cellphones - when you think about it, the list is |
| to forty were considered old.Not much scope for | | | | impressive!And the downside: in a world saturated |
| personal development and parenting projects | | | | with resources |
| there!Bumpy dirt tracks served as roads and the trees | | | | and abundance, millions starve. Yet all could be put |
| that covered | | | | right |
| most of the land made travel difficult. Schools and | | | | so easily!Your children are young and impressionable, |
| child | | | | so true-life |
| education did not exist.After the lesson I made my | | | | stories will absorb their insatiable interest. Make this |
| way back up to the main | | | | part of your home education program, working |
| building. This time I overheard another conversation - | | | | hand-in-hand with their special school projects.And it will |
| or to | | | | pay dividends. Informed, appreciative |
| be more precise, one side of a conversation.A girl | | | | children become confident, tolerant, fair-minded and |
| behind me chatted to her mum, many miles away | | | | determined young people.Personal development all |
| on the outskirts of the city. The small cellphone | | | | round . . .Happy parenting!Why do some parents and |
| clamped to | | | | children succeed, while others |
| the girl's ear made it possible.Times had certainly | | | | fail? |
| changed since the 13th century!Not only could this girl | | | | Frank McGinty is an internationally published author |
| travel many miles by comfortable | | | | and |
| transport every day, but at the touch of a button she | | | | teacher. |