What’s changed with reading, writing, and arithmetic (the three r’s), since we parents were in school? Yvonne Walus explains.
Depending on our age and where we grew up, we may have suffered longer school days, hours of homework, heavy textbooks, and national standardised tests.
In 2024, many New Zealand primary schools don’t give homework. A primary teacher on Auckland’s North Shore explains: “Honestly, most kids don’t need it at this level. They should be physically active, they should play with their mates, and should enjoy time with their parents.”
It is ironic, then, that it’s usually parents who insist on reading assignments and maths worksheets to complete every evening. “Read together for pleasure,” is the teacher’s advice. “And if you need to practice maths, go for a family walk and count seashells on the beach. Or bake a cake, measuring the ingredients carefully, and bring a slice to school for your teacher!” he jokes.
There are no textbooks. New Zealand has a national curriculum that directs what your child learns at school. There is a big focus on reading, writing, and maths in the primary years, as these are really important foundation skills that everyone needs in order to be able to do well in life.
The curriculum was established in 2007, and although it’s still in use, a four-year refresh commenced in 2022. A source at the Ministry of Education revealed that “it’s unclear whether the new government will continue with the proposed changes or suggest an alternative.” The National Party website promises to “rewrite the curriculum to include clear requirements about the specific knowledge and skills primary and intermediate schools will need to cover for each school year in reading, writing, maths and science”, although there’s no immediate plan of action.
The government is also emphasising the basics. From the beginning of Term 1 2024, schools with students in years 0-8 must spend an average of one hour per subject per day teaching reading, writing, and maths. To be fair, most schools were already doing that pre-2024, but this guideline underscores the importance of the three Rs.
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the fundamental skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic – commonly known as the Three Rs – remain pivotal in our children’s academic journey. If we want to support our kids, we need to understand how their schooling experience differs from our own.
THE FIRST R: READING
In the digital age, teaching children to read goes beyond the traditional methods we might have grown up with. It used to be phonics, then the sight-word approach, with most schools now switching to a hybrid of phonics and sight-words. In addition, many schools are using technology to enhance the learning experience. Educational apps, audiobooks, and interactive e-books can captivate a child’s interest, making learning to read more engaging.
To help your child at home, it’s a good idea to establish regular reading habits by creating a comfortable reading nook and setting aside a regular time slot for family reading.
THE SECOND R: WRITING
The way writing is taught has also evolved with advancements in technology. Teaching keyboarding skills alongside traditional handwriting allows children to adapt to both paper and digital platforms. Some may question whether handwriting is still relevant.
Turns out, writing by hand is a building block to further progress. “Handwriting is important for brain development and cognition,” says Gwendolyn Bounds in The Wall Street Journal. The sequential finger movements used to write by hand, unlike those used for typing, stimulate parts of the brain related to short-term memory, language, and thought. This means that writing by hand lets your brain think, understand, remember, and communicate better.
Creative writing is an important aspect of the writing skill. Even before your child can write the words down, you can encourage them to be imaginative. Ask them what they think happened in a picture you drew or start telling them a new story and ask them what they would like to happen next. Play with dolls and stuffed animals together and invent conversations between the toys.
THE THIRD R: ARITHMETIC
In the old days, maths teaches had textbooks. At the beginning of the year, they would start on page one and move chapter by chapter to the end, with tests and assessments throughout the year. Nowadays, there’s no textbook, and teachers face the challenge of deciding what and how to teach, particularly as primary school maths has shifted towards a more conceptual understanding rather than memorising the answers.
What does it mean in real life in terms of teaching the fundamentals? The answer is: It depends on the school and the teacher. When one of my friends asked her daughter how they did maths at school, she heard: “The teacher gave our group a sheet of paper and asked how we can divide it among the four of us so that we each got the same. We figured it out straightaway, then spent the rest of the lesson talking about the school production.”
So how can parents support teachers at home? “Don’t be scared of maths,” says an ex-principal of one of Auckland’s primary schools. “Often the child will pick up on the parent’s reluctance, so relax and act confident.” Include real-life maths in your daily activities. Cooking, shopping, and DIY projects can become practical applications of mathematical concepts. Teach pattern recognition by putting a few items (socks or kitchen utensils) in repeating order and encourage your child to recreate the pattern. You can also make maths fun with after-dinner board games and card games.
COPING WITH CHANGES
Navigating the frequent changes in education can be challenging for educators, parents and – most importantly – the children. Working closely with teachers will help parents understand the curriculum and pinpoint areas where our children might need extra help. It’s a good idea to attend parent-teacher conferences, maintain open communication, and join school activities to stay in the loop regarding your child’s progress and the school’s teaching approaches.
