Library > The National Curriculum

The National Curriculum is the framework used by schools to ensure teaching standards are universal. It determines the content of what will be taught and sets attainment targets to ensure pupils develop essential literacy and numeracy skills. It also aims to instil spiritual, cultural and moral values and promote mental and physical development.

The school curriculum details learning and other experiences that each school plans for its pupils. Schools have flexibility to tailor the curriculum to the particular needs of their pupils. They also purchase the educational games and classroom resources that support the teaching programme
For more information take a look at parentscentre.org.uk

Library > FAQs

What benefits are there in supporting my child’s learning?

Research proves shared learning in the home has a positive impact on children’s later success. Babies and young children’s early experiences play a vital role in shaping their later development. Being also actively involved with your child’s learning, giving positive praise and encouragement throughout the school years gives a huge boost to your child’s confidence.

How can keen2learn help with home-learning?

Our educational games and educational toys are great fun and in common use as a classroom resource in school. They complement your children’s work by reinforcing the skills involved at their own pace at home. The range of reading games, writing games, and numeracy games disguise the learning process and let parents participate in this crucial activity.

What products are best suited to help my child’s learning?

keen2learn products match the different subjects and stages of the UK National Curriculum. You can select by subject area and refine this by age and key stage using the filter at the top right of the page. child. The game cover a particular area and some that are great for revision such as Geniass.
Talk with the teacher to understand any areas of concern and develop a mutually agreed programme of support.

What is the best environment for learning?

Choose a place where you and your child are comfortable and where there are minimal distractions. Remember you both have to concentrate during the process, and watching the TV with one eye, or doing the ironing may not allow you to achieve the maximum benefit.Try to vary the activities and don’t be surprised if your child wants to do the same thing again and again – repetition is a fundamental aspect of learning.

What is the best time for learning?

There is no “best” time for learning. Find a time that best suits you AND your child, preferably when you know you will be free from distractions and when you are not tired. For most this will be earlier in the day (especially at weekends) when the brain is most receptive and why schools choose the mornings for their “literacy” and “numeracy” hours. Work with your child little and often and above all keep it fun!

And don’t forget the opportunity whilst travelling on holiday to use airport waiting time, long flights, ferries or car journeys in a fun and constructive way with a travel game such as Bunja.

How does a child’s mind develop?

Children’s learning begins at a very early age with the brain acting like a sponge soaking up information from all around. Even before a child starts school they will learn a great deal about reading and writing from the environment. It is equally important to nurture this development throughout the school years by engaging with your child in educational activities such as lesson starers which act as a quiz – children learn by example.

How can I help my child with his writing?

Show your children that writing is both useful and enjoyable. Let them see you write yourself and join in with activities such as writing shopping and jobs lists, letters and birthday cards. “Giant CVC dominoes” are perfect for helping children to recognise Consonant Vowel Consonant words,and “Cursive letters”will help develop children’s cursive writing.

How can I help my child with his letter recognition?

With younger children, read stories and nursery rhymes together as constant exposure to words helps with letter recognition. Use “Alphabet bean bags” and “Desktop alphabet mats” to encourage individual letter recognition, and “Sticky key words” to assist with basic spelling. Make up stories using puppets such as “Table top theatre”,Hanging theatre “Finger puppets” and get your child to write them down. Tell a story in pictures only or find an interesting picture and tell a story to go with it.

How can I help my child with his reading?

a knowledge of Phonics www.standards.dfes.gov.uk in other words, the way a letter or word sounds.”Naughty phonics” focuses on different aspects of phonological awareness helping with common spelling for each phoneme and blending phonemes into words for reading.

How can I help my child with number recognition and counting?

It is important for your child to be able to relate mathematical skills to an essential part of everyday life. By seeing you use counting, adding up and so on (checking change in a shop for example) he will realise the need for this skill. “Compare bear counters” help with counting, sorting, matching and weighing whilst “Soccer dominoes” is ideal for the child who finds number work daunting.

For more information please visit parentscentre.org.uk

Library > Testimonials

“What a fabulous site! With four young children brings it home to me how much money is wasted on plastic junk; Keen2Learn educational toys make far more valuable, longer lasting gifts and a real investment in my children’s learning. I wish I had known about you earlier!”

Rachel Elnaugh, Entrepreneur

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“What a great idea…the fastest way to make a difference for your children.”

Simon Woodroffe OBE, Founder of Yo! Sushi and YoTel!

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“Keen2learn have some cracking educational games and educational toys. And they’re absolutely right – homework that feels like fun will always be remembered far longer than the stuff that feels like a chore. This is learning through joy and enthusiasm”.

Quentin Willson, Broadcaster

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“The order arrived successfully and is greatly appreciated. The items are wonderful and the Year 8 lesson went a treat! I used the items again today. The factor frenzy game was great with my alternative curriculum group and so was also successful.

Many thanks for your help. I will be sure to pass your website details onto other members of the mathematics department.”

Adele Searle. Primary School Teacher & keen2learn customer.

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“As an ex-pat living in Australia with a bunch of pre-teenage nephews and nieces back in the UK, your site gives me a wealth of ideas for buying them genuinely worthwhile presents. I was particularly impressed with the Bunja maths game”

Richard Castle, Director, Same Page Pty Ltd & keen2learn Customer.

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“The mobilisation of parents in their child’s achievement at school holds huge potential. Keen2learn combines the skill of teachers with the capacity of parents to enhance the competence of their child. Reinforcing learning at home in a fun and enjoyable way can reap dividends for the child, parent and school. It also initiates the desire to acquire knowledge on a continuing life-time basis for both child and parent. What better gift can a parent give their child than the skills to improve their chances in a competitive world. ”

Tristan Wilkinson. Director for the Public Sector, Intel Corporation

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“May I congratulate you on an excellent product range and a very helpful, thoughtful and important website. As a former Chief Executive of B&Q – with over 40,000 employees – I am especially aware, from an economic point of view, of the pressing need to improve our educational standards and motivation. This is particularly true in the context of the fierce competition the next generation will have to meet from the fast growing economies in Asia.

I established B&Q’s businesses in China and Taiwan and witnessed at first hand how much people there value education and how much time and effort parents put into creating and supporting a thirst for knowledge in their children. I hope your site will help and encourage those parents here who wish to take a more proactive approach to assist their children’s progress. Good luck to you.”

Bill Whiting. Chief Executive, B&Q (retd)

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“It was great being able to help my son again – something I have missed since he went to school. The educational games helped me give my 7 year old son some great help at home in a number of areas where his teacher told me he is behind at school. I thought I had to be a teacher to do this but the products on your site are maths games that we found to be real fun. I’ll certainly be visiting your site again as well as looking for Christmas and Birthday present ideas for my nephews and niece.”

The Lindsay Family. Sydney, Australia

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“The future success of Schools will be greatly enhanced by the involvement of parents. Children love practical projects gaining many hours of enjoyment, a feeling of achievement and satisfaction from applying their practical skills and knowledge.

I am delighted to see Keen2learn providing a superb range of English games for children’s use outside normal school time. The work of keen2learn will create a paradigm shift to link the work of Teachers with Parent Teacher Associations, After School Groups and Parents at home.

I am sure many children and parents will find keen2learn a very rewarding pleasure.”

Trevor Helm, Educational Industry Specialist.

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“As a primary school teacher I love the keen2learn website especially the science games. They are particularly innovative because they directly link into the National Curriculum, allowing you to select the appropriate material for the development of a given child.

In today’s large class sizes or even in small rural schools with mixed age groups, differentiation is the buzz-word, but with keen2learn you can choose the products best suited to any child, irrespective of their age or key-stage, allowing them to play ‘catch-up’ or to extend the more gifted child”.

Sarah Woodwards, Teacher, parent & keen2learn customer.

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“As a teacher of year 1 and 2 children, I consider the role of parents to be vital in the education of their children. There have been many changes to the education system over recent years, and parents are unsure about how their children are being taught in school, and want to identify the best ways they could provide additional support and encouragement.

There is unfortunately, very limited additional time that teachers can find to spend with individual parents to meet this demand. The development of an informative website such as ‘keen2learn’ offers a very valuable ICT games resource. Parents will be provide extra support for their children in areas where weakness has been identified and encourage further development in areas which have proved to be of particular interest or strength.

The keen2learn website is well laid out, easy to understand at all levels, and parents will have no trouble at all to navigate around the information access points”.

Andrew Stenton, Primary School Teacher.

Library > Educational Visits

Warwick Castle.

There’s so much more for schools and child development at Warwick Castle. From the design and technology marvel of the fully working mill to the ghostly realisation of historical figures, the Castle offers a unique and inspirational opportunity to teach children a whole range of subjects for all key stages.

Our schools programme has been designed to offer relevant National Curriculum-based learning opportunities suitable for both primary and secondary school students. With so much to see and experience, and supported by our educational resources, Warwick Castle provides an outstanding environment to stimulate your children’s imaginations.

www.warwick-castle.co.uk

Eden Project

Witness the practical application of the key stages in science and biology of the national curriculum in stunning action. Whether learning for the first time or revising this is an unforgettable experience in a breathtaking epic location. Eden is a gateway into the fascinating world of plants and people and a vibrant reminder of how we need each other for our mutual survival. Space age technology meets the lost world in the biggest greenhouse ever built. Located in a 50 metre deep crater the size of 30 football pitches and beautifully sculpted to make a spectacular and unique global garden.

www.edenproject.com

Fleet Air Arm Museum

If you are wondering where to go with the family for an educational day out then why not visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum. In addition to seeing Europe’s largest collection of Naval aircraft. you can go on-board the first British built Concorde and be ‘transported’ by a simulated helicopter flight to the award winning replica flight deck of the aircraft carrier HMS ARK ROYAL.

You’ll experience the thrills and sounds of a working flight deck and even see a nuclear bomb, which makes this a truly unforgettable attraction! There is a children’s adventure playground, a licensed restaurant and a shop, ample free parking and excellent disabled access.

Check www.fleetairarm.com for the information on the museum’s educational family activities.

Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks

Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks feature on the global stage of animal conservation protecting the most endangered species. We are home to over 900 animals and still adhere to John Aspinall’s original dream to breed rare and endangered species and return them to the wild where it is safe to do so.

We are keen to encourage children to learn about conserving animals and the environment in which we live. Educational facilities include an education centre at both parks, the support of our Education Officer and National Curriculum Key Stage 1-3 workbooks available.

www.totallywild.net

Beamish – A Unique Educational Experience

Beamish, an open air museum set in 300 acres of beautiful County Durham countryside, is unique. It’s a superb living, working experience of life in the Great North in the early 1800s and early 1900s which offering unrivalled learning opportunities for young people to learn about Victorian history

Beamish brings National Curriculum topics to life – fascinating facts, rich resources and exciting educational resources for schoolchildren of all ages. Children can explore the Award-winning attractions in The Town, Colliery Village, working Farm, Pockerley Manor and The 1825 Railway. There are tram and steam train rides, underground tours at a real drift mine, demonstrations of sweet making and much more besides.

www.beamish.org.uk

Eden Camp – Modern History Theme Museum

A visit to our Eden Camp will transport you back in time to World War Two. Experience the sights, sounds and even the smells of life on both the Home Front and Front Line within the grounds of an original prisoner of war camp. Our multi-award winning museum presents the largest, most comprehensive and most realistic display of British social and military history of the 1939-45 period in the world in a child friendly way. A comprehensive education pack, which covers the full range of National Curriculum topics and subjects are available, and our Gift Shop contains a wealth of educational resources including ID cards and Ration books.

www.edencamp.co.uk

Jorvik Viking Centre

Travel back one thousand years and visit the Vikings of JORVIK. Explore York’s Viking history exactly where our archaeologists found the remains of the original Viking-Age City of ‘Jorvik’. Journey through a reconstruction of the actual Viking -Age streets and see over 800 of the items discovered on site. Learn what life was really like in our special exhibitions:

• Fearsome Craftsmen: witness the skills and artistry of the Vikings including live craft demonstrations.

• Unearthed: discover the secrets of bones. Picture Viking life, death, battle, diet and disease through the examination of 10-11th Century bones.

• Early years and Key stages 1,2,3,and 4.-History, Art, Citizenship, Geography, Design technology,Maths, English

Eureka! The Museum for Children

It’s handfuls of fun for everyone! With 100s of hands-on exhibits to play with, children from 0-11 and adults of all ages won’t be able to resist Eureka! the UK’s first and foremost museum for children.

Designed with play and learning at the core, children can explore six specially designed galleries where they must-touch! They can see their own skeleton, catch a wave, meet an alien, build a house and even get a job at the post office, all in a days play! In fact’s there so much to see and do that you’ll be finding yourself visiting again and again.

• Science, Design technology, Literacy, Numeracy, Citizenship, Geography, Early years, Key stage 1and 2

Harewood House

Harewood House is the magnificent home of the Queen’s cousin, the Earl of Harewood, set in glorious grounds and gardens and packed with enjoyment for all family members. Explore the grandeur of the ‘upstairs’ State Rooms (with a special Children’s Trail leaflet), and discover the secrets of ‘Below Stairs’ – peek into cupboards, dress up as a maid in the Servants’ Hall, or talk to an 18^th century steward on an interactive display.

The Lakeside Bird Garden, home to around 100 colourful feathered species, some endangered and part of a worldwide breeding programme, is always a favourite with visitors. And for more outdoor fun – the Adventure Playground with its separate area for under fives – is just the ticket.

• History, science, literacy, numeracy, geography, citizenship. Early years, Key stages 1,2,3,4

Royal Armouries

Explore the Dark Ages to the present day in five themed galleries. See the world’s greatest collection of arms and armour – founded by Henry VIII. Get up close and personal with over 8,000 exhibits. Marvel at the largest armour in the world. See history brought to life with our fantastic live performances, which take place daily in the galleries and outside in the Tiltyard. During each school holiday we have a different themed event to ensure every visit to the Royal Armouries is unique.

• History, Design, English, Science and technology. Foundation and key stages 1,2,3,4

National Railway Museum

For big trains, bigger stories and the biggest FREE day out, you can’t beat the world’s largest railway museum. Explore our three giant halls for a complete experience packed full of incredible trains and interactive fun. The Flying Scotsman Story tells some of the amazing stories behind this famous locomotive, and the Norwich Union Wheel which affords some of the most spectacular views over the city of York and surrounding areas. Daily demonstrations and talks, theatre performances, and interactives ensure a great day out. And our ever changing What’s On programme means there’s always something new to see and do.

• History, science, maths, citizenship, geography,design, English. Foundation key stages 1,2,3,4

Magna Science Adventure Centre.

For a day full of extreme experiences visit Magna, the UK’s first Science Adventure Centre. Housed in the former Templeborough Steelworks, you can explore the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water and have fun firing giant water canons, launching rockets, boarding an airship, spinning in a gyroscopic chair and working real JCB’s. Experience the Big Melt a spectacular sound and light show and step into the personal world of the families of steel in the UK’s biggest multimedia show The Face of Steel. Discover Sci-Tek, Europe’s largest Hi-Tek science and technology playground; experience the history and heritage behind the steel industry in Magna’s latest exhibition Living Steel; and get wet in the UK’s largest outdoor water play area – Aqua-Tek.

• Science, citizenship, geography, history: Key stages 1,2,3,4

Thackray Museum

The award winning Thackray Museum is a fantastic day out, transporting you through a living experience of health and medicine, past, present and future. Get to know the human body, experience life in Victorian Leeds and marvel at the lotions and potions offered as cures, then see how these practices have evolved into modern medicine. Explore the human body in the interactive Bodyworks Gallery; see whether the bionic man is purely science fiction in ‘Body Parts: New for Old’; and discover the similarities and differences between art and science in ‘How Do You Look’?

• History, science, English, maths; Key stages 1,2,3,4

The Deep

Discover the dramatic story of the world’s oceans from the dawn of time to the future, at Hull’s award wining aquarium – home to 3000 fish and 40 sharks! Highlights include Europe’s deepest viewing tunnel and a glass lift ride through our 10m tank. Visit The Twilight Zone, the world’s largest exhibition on deep ocean life, featuring Giant Pacific Octopus, Wolf Eels and the ancient Nautilus. Explore The Deep’s newest exhibition – Hullabaloo, a specially designed indoor play area for younger children. Crawl into a giant crab shell, operate giant claws and create a Humber creature.

• English maths, design and technology; Key stages 1,2,3,4

The National Coal Mining Museum for England

17 acre site with a unique collection of buildings, displays and activities that reveal the hidden world of mining through the centuries; learn about mining methods and machinery, the miners and their families. Wearing a hard hat and battery lamp, descend 140m underground to learn how coal was hewn and moved to the surface. New galleries show how miners lived, worked and relaxed. Take a ride on the ‘paddy train’, explore the Nature Trail and meet the retired pit ponies. Refuel in the Café, drop into the Under 5’s play area and pick up souvenirs in the Gift Shop.

• History,science, numeracy, geography, citizenship, literacy; key stages 1,2,3

If you are an establishment with an educational content, we would be happy to feature you free of charge. Please contact us with 100 words of description together with an image.

Library > Resources

We have selected a list of useful websites that can assist you with additional information on education and teaching support.

Educational Resources

Parents Centre

A wealth of information for parents on how to help with their child’s learning from the Department for Children Schools and Families

QCA

Further information about the National Curriculum and how your child is assessed at school.

Campaign For Learning

Information, advice and support for families and learning at home.

School Websites

We have been specialising in creating primary school websites and have a background in education. We have the knowledge, enthusiasm and experience to help primary schools.

Childnet International

Information and advice about making the Internet a great and safe place for children.

Young Minds

Useful website full of information, advice and help about the importance of children’s mental health and providing adequate support for children in need.

DirectGov

A directory of UK Public Services all in one place.

Other useful Resources

Sally Lever.

www.sallylever.co.uk Inspiration and support for parents who are home educating, or considering doing so. Sally Lever’s website offers some excellent resources and free subscription to her monthly ezine, “Fruitful”, written for aspiring downshifters and sustainable living enthusiasts.

Shopsafe

UK Children’s Directory

Child Educational Toys

Child educational toys will entertain the brain. Brain Building Toys professionally selects high quality child educational toys from HABA, Melissa and Doug, Blue Orange, ThinkFun, Ravensburger, and Jamtown. These child educational toys are kid test and will stimulation and entice children of all ages and skill levels.

Heartofwisdom

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