Something practical for this week
Preschool
What to do: Gather three or four everyday objects from around the house — a cup, a box, a ball. Touch each one together and ask your child, "What shape is this?" Say words like round, flat, or angular together out loud. Then lay the objects on their sides and ask, "Will this one roll or not?" Let your child sort them into two groups.
Why it works: This activity sits at the heart of the IB topic "Exploring and naming shapes and three-dimensional objects." Abstract geometry becomes something your child can hold, test, and describe. Physical exploration helps attach a word to a concept far more reliably than looking at a picture on a page.
How to adjust: If your child struggles, start with just two objects and demonstrate the sorting yourself first. If they finish quickly, ask them to find one more object and decide which group it belongs to, or try ordering all the objects from largest to smallest.
Time and materials: About ten minutes. No special materials needed — whatever is already at home.
1st grade
What to do: Write four letters on a piece of paper, or let your child write them: a, n, e, l. First, place two side by side and read the syllable aloud together ("an," "ne"). Then try a three-letter combination ("nel"). Finally, ask your child to pick their own letters and build a new syllable, then read it out loud.
Why it works: The TR-MEB topic "Building syllables: closed syllables first (an), then open syllables (na); three- and four-letter syllables" is about constructing the letter-sound relationship in a deliberate sequence. Physically arranging letters and experimenting with combinations turns a passive exercise into an active one, and children who feel in control of the process tend to stay with it longer.
How to adjust: If it feels hard, stay with just "an" and "na" without mixing them up. If your child moves through it quickly, challenge them to form a four-letter syllable and then use it in a short word.
Time and materials: Ten to fifteen minutes. A piece of paper and a pencil. You can also cut the letters into small cards if your child likes handling them.
2nd grade
What to do: Find an empty plastic bottle, some soil, and a small seed or a few pebbles. Cut the bottom off the bottle together (you handle the scissors), fill it with soil, and place the seed inside. Then ask your child to explain where they would put this plant pot and why they chose that spot.
Why it works: The TR-MEB topic "Making a plant pot from a plastic bottle (upcycling)" is about more than craft skills. It asks children to see an object differently — to imagine a second life for something that would otherwise be thrown away. Asking your child to explain their placement decision adds a reasoning step that builds on the making itself.
How to adjust: If you don't have the materials, draw a bottle on paper, colour it in, and write inside what the child would plant. If they finish quickly, ask them to give the plant a name and write one sentence of a "care diary" — what it needs to grow.
Time and materials: Fifteen minutes. A plastic bottle, soil, scissors (for adult use), and an optional seed.
What's in the news
These are the education stories from this week that we think matter to parents. Each one links through to the original report.
Primary school support program extended to second grade
Turkey's Ministry of National Education held a workshop in Niğde to update the Primary Schools Catch-Up Program (İYEP). Deputy Minister Ömer Faruk Yelkenci emphasized that Turkish language and mathematics skills form the foundation of all learning. Following a regulatory change, the program has been expanded to include second-grade students, having previously been available only to third graders. The aim is to provide structured, targeted support to students who have not yet fully developed foundational skills.
Parents of second-grade children may want to speak with their child's teacher to find out whether their child is being considered for the program. The program is designed to identify gaps in reading, writing, and mathematics at an early stage. Staying in regular contact with the school and monitoring progress in these areas at home can help support that process.
Read the full story · Hürriyet
Early childhood teachers balance screen use with hands-on learning
The American Academy of Pediatrics updated its screen time guidelines for children and teenagers for the first time in ten years. The new guidance focuses more on digital devices than television and encourages use that supports learning rather than prolonged engagement. However, teachers note that the recommendations lack concrete steps for pre-kindergarten age groups. As a result, early childhood educators are developing their own practical approaches in the classroom.
For families, this is a good moment to think about the quality of time your child spends in front of a screen. Activities like Play-Doh, cut-and-glue tasks, or counting with everyday objects can replace screen-based versions of the same exercise. Watching or creating something together with your child is more valuable than leaving them with a screen alone. Asking your child's teacher how and when screens are used in class can help you align habits at home with what is happening at school.
Read the full story · EdSurge
Schools Take a Closer Look at How Writing Is Taught
State test results from several parts of the country show that many elementary students struggle with basic writing skills. Some children have difficulty forming complete sentences, and in upper grades, many still lack the foundational skills needed to write paragraphs or short essays. In response, some school districts have begun rethinking their approach to writing instruction, offering teachers professional development in evidence-based methods and making explicit writing instruction a clear priority.
For parents of school-age children, this is a reminder that writing skills may benefit from support at home as well. You might ask your child's teacher how writing is structured in the classroom and what kinds of writing your child practices regularly. Encouraging your child to write a little each day, even informally, can help build confidence and habit over time.
Read the full story · Hechinger Report
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intelligence system and pass automated accuracy and suitability checks before
publication. The news items come from publishers' own feeds; none of them are
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The news items in the round-up belong to independent publishers. Links go
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The suggestions in this newsletter are for general information only and are
not a substitute for educational, medical, psychological or legal advice. If
you have concerns about your child's development, please consult a qualified
professional.
Curriculum comparisons are based on publicly available curriculum
documents. WordCub is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, the Turkish
Ministry of National Education or any other educational body named here.
