http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.growingchoices.co.nz en-us Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:15:01 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/post/168225/what-is-executive-function-why-understanding-and-concept-mastery-change-everything/ Have you ever looked at your child and thought,"I know you can do this… so what's getting in the way?"Perhaps your child explains the maths problem perfectly on the way home from school. They tell you all about the book they're reading or confidently answer your questions over dinner. Then, a little later, they sit down to complete the homework and everything changes. They can't seem to get started. They forget what to do next, frustration grows, and before long you're both wondering what happ... Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:50:20 +1200 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/#post168225 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/post/168063/the-story-behind-the-growing-choices-logo/ It isn't just a logo.It tells the story of everything I believe about life, learning, and the people I have the privilege of working alongside. Every part has meaning.... Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:15:55 +1200 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/#post168063 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/post/168026/orientation-where-learning-begins/ Sometimes the first step towards easier learning isn't learning more. It's becoming oriented.Quite a few parents tell me they know their child is bright. They can see their imagination. They hear the wonderful ideas they come up with. Yet when it comes to reading, writing, or even following instructions, everything suddenly feels much harder.It doesn't seem to make sense.I've heard this story many times. Parents often ask me,"Why is my child finding learning so difficult when I know they're capa... Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:32:02 +1200 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/#post168026 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/post/167887/dyslexia-friendly-fonts-do-they-really-help/ Sometimes the biggest change isn't the font. It's how a child experiences reading. Quite a few parents ask me about dyslexia-friendly fonts. They've often read that changing the font might make reading easier, and they're wondering if it's something they should try. I think it's a really good question. And before I say anything else, if your child has found a font that feels more comfortable, that's wonderful. Anything that helps a child feel more confident with reading is worth celebrating.... Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:07:45 +1200 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/#post167887 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/post/167799/what-if-adhd-isnt-about-a-lack-of-attention/ Lately, I've been thinking quite a bit about ADHD.Perhaps it's because more and more people are talking about it. Parents are asking questions. Adults are recognising themselves in conversations they've never had before. It feels as though ADHD is everywhere at the moment.I think that's a good thing.The more we understand, the more opportunities we have to support children in ways that really make sense.At the same time, I've found myself a little hesitant to talk about ADHD.Not because I don't ... Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:36:17 +1200 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/#post167799 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/post/166776/from-fear-to-hope-how-learning-is-changing-lives-at-kakamega-global-star-academy/ Donate via Raisely →... Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:21:09 +1200 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/#post166776 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/post/162938/a-new-beginning-grows-an-update-from-kakamega/ You can help support children in Kakamega from the very start of their learning journey. Every contribution, big or small, helps create safe classrooms, empower teachers, and build an inclusive, strength-based model of education.💛 Donate hereScroll down to see the latest photos of the kindergarten kids and the maths tutoring centre.... Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:26:22 +1300 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/#post162938 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/post/160003/learning-through-the-body-why-movement-matters/ A few years ago, Claire overheard a conversation as she walked past a young man and an authority figure.The words were sharp.“You’re lazy.”“You haven’t handed in your assignments.”“Study is off the menu.”Claire paused, not out of judgement, but out of curiosity and care, and gently asked a different question:“What happens when you read?”The young man’s answer was simple, honest, and devastating:“I start reading, but after the first few words, all the words disappear.The p... Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:21:26 +1300 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/#post160003 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/post/159273/the-kakamega-global-star-academy-from-kakamega-to-the-world/ We are excited to officially share the name of the school being established in Kakamega, Kenya:... Fri, 23 Jan 2026 12:32:08 +1300 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/#post159273 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/post/158342/reflection-from-iwwa-whanau-learning-team/ Inviting indigenous and community groups, and anyone who relates to visual-spatial ways of thinking, to explore how the Davis Methods can support learning.Photo of our dedicated IWWA Whānau Learning Team. Literacy as Peace Education. From left to right: Parehuia Mafi, Claire Ashmore, Tutangiora Mafi.... Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:42:26 +1300 http://www.growingchoices.co.nz/blog/#post158342