Mumsnet Talk

I am away volunteering in the refugee camps in Kenya for a bit.

I have two children of mixed ability. The brighter one answers for the slower one and then when told not to however gently or non-verbally reacts and sulks.

also, because her reading is better I spend more time with the slower one (who will be fine just needs the input) and the brighter one gets restless and resentful. Also she hates being corrected.

Do you have any tips as to how I can keep them both happy, stimulated, working, and feeling appreciated/not smothered? And the brighter one receiving instead of sending?

Any other points gratefully received!

Does it always have to be reading? Can't the bright one draw, paint or play with wooden blocks while you pay attention to the slower child?

am not a teacher.. but was also going to say would it be possible to get the brighter one doing something else - maybe get her to read first and then write about the book/draw a picture to illustrate what she's just read while you hear the other one read?

Teachers will no doubt be able to give you tips on working with 2 children of different abilities at the same time, the resentment, and not liking being corrected, I'm not qualified to do so.

Fabulous that you are doing something so worth while .

Learnandsay thanks for responding.

Thankfully we are using the Oxford Learning Tree which I know, and it is wonderful to meet Kipper et al again!

They were assessed as being quite close in reading ability which is why they were put together, and the slower one just needs more input and she will catch up. She is receptive so 'easier to teach' yes that trap.

The programme followed involves reading, reading together and then copying letters, which abitofahandful did beautifully (good fine motor skills) in two seconds flat.

What to do? Give her a harder book to read which she has to tell me the story to (so we have a conversation)?

Also the restless slightly controlling behaviour? No you listen to ME/do what I want? (and then expecting to be hit).

I really hope you respond teachers out there.

I forgot to say: they are around 8.