Open and Honest communication: why is it so hard, especially with our kids? Fear is the answer. We are afraid of how the person hearing our request or complaint will react.
The three main ways people respond to a situation are being passive, being aggressive and being assertive. In my opinion, assertive is the best.
Being assertive means honestly communicating our thoughts, feelings and needs to others in appropriate ways and takes into account both the way we say something as well as when we say it.
When we react passively, we say nothing. This results in the person who said nothing to feel more and more annoyed and may even end the relationship. This leaves the other person not knowing why it happened or if there was anything they could have done differently to save the relationship.
Christine Hawkins
Owner KMEC Hunter
When we react aggressively, the other person usually goes on the defensive. They may respond with aggression or they may stop communicating all together. Either way. aggression is not the way to achieve a healthy relationship.
When we react assertively. we describe the behaviour that is concerning us objectively, we express how we feel about it, we specify the behaviour we want and we state the consequences, which are positive wherever possible.
For example, instead of nagging children to clean their room, we could say: ” Having a clean and tidy home is important to me. When your room is a mess it annoys me. I would like you to put your dirty clothes in the laundry basket and have your things put way in your cupboards. When you do this you can spend 1/2 an hour on your PlayStation.” (you choose the consequence that works best to motivate your child to do as you ask)
Be brave and have fun with this. You never know, the results may surprise you.
Winter Facts
As the days become shorter and colder, we thought we would brighten your day with a list of 7 fun and interesting facts about winter.
- When it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This occurs because the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun at this time.
- In Winter, some animals migrate (whales), hibernate (bears), store food (squirrels), change colours (arctic fox), or grow thicker fur (horses).
- The lowest minimum temperature in Australia was – 23ºC at Charlotte Pass on 29th June 1994 in the Snowy Mountains.
- All snowflakes have 6 sides.
- 30 cm of snow melts down to 5 cm water.
- During winter Australia has more snow than Switzerland.
- Chionophobia is a fear of snow.
Teacher’s Tips : When does a “C” sound like an “S”?
Letter ‘c’ followed by ‘i’, ‘e’ or ‘y’ makes the sound ‘s’.
Try it out. Here are a few to get you started:
city, concentric, bicycle.
Monthly Joke
Q: What happened to the wooden car with wooden wheels and a wooden engine?
A: It wooden go!
Q: What do you call a bee from a America?
A: A USB
Q: What do you call having your grandma on speed dial?
A: Instagran
Q: What do Alexander the Great and Winnie the Pooh have in common?
A: They have the same middle name
Puzzle
How many things beginning with ‘B’ can you find?
Student of the Month
Award for Outstanding
Improvement in English
Harry has been attending Kip McGrath for just over a year, and the improvements he has made have been fantastic. One of the most important improvements has been his confidence which is reflected in the classroom.
From, Angela
Harry’s Mum
Super Simple Soup Idea
Reheat your favourite soup until it comes to a simmer. Add a handful of Tortellini for each person and cook for 6 minutes. Sprinkle some chopped parsley on top and serve with hot, crusty bread. Yum!
