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While living in Australia for 4 years I came across something on the net that interested me greatly. As a relieving teacher and after school tutor of young students all of whom were having difficulty keeping up in classes, I realised that there were many gaps in the mainstream way of teaching children the basics of reading, writing and spelling.

What I found on the net was a very successful method of helping children and adults with these basic skills. It is called the Spalding Method (has no relationship with tennis !) I eventually did the training at a primary school in QLD and was not disappointed with what I learned. Before undertaking the course I sat in on a class in Brisbane watching how this method is delivered to a group of 26 students. So inspired, I set about finding some students to help while in Australia. Several months passed and I decided to head back to my hometown Nelson in South Island.

I am so enthusiastic about the effectiveness of this way that I advertised a bit in the local paper looking for students to help. Through a conversation I had with a woman at a cafe, I was recommended to someone with a son of 8 who was having problems with these subjects at school and subsequently have been helping him now for about 8 weeks. He has dyspraxia and I understand that this method works very well for children with Dyslexia also. Already he and I have noticed the difference in his handwriting and his teacher at school has also noticed some good changes. Firstly, it affects their self confidence in a major way as they move along the course step by step gaining success at every step. I have given several free talks around the district to inform parents of what it can do for their children and am now picking up a few more students. I am certain ther are a lot of children who need help in these basic important areas.

It works for adults who have trouble with literacy too so if you know someone who would love to be able to read the newspaper or books or whatever please mention that there is help out there. I can help people one-on-one or with a small group of 5 - 6 would be ideal. Whatever level they are at we can help them. Before we begin teaching them we give some simple tests to work out exactly which level they are at then can go from there.

What's Awesome in your life ?

A great way to start your day is to think of everything that was awesome in your previous day or even your previous week. Think about it or write it down.

This will keep you focussed on the good things in your life and will attract more of it - increase your awareness and notice what happens.

If you are a school teacher why not start each lesson with this short exercise. I did it twice yesterday as I was relieving in a high school and unfortunately not many people could think of anything awesome that happened in the previous week. Maybe if they become more aware they will find something eventually. I plan to do it in every class I teach in future, also with everyone I speak to in my day.