Engaging in Phonics, Reading and Writing and More!

What a long and fulfilling journey I and my children have had with Custom Kids.

I started originally with (I think) a meet-up group in the upstairs room when Miles could just about sit up, it may have been in 2013?  From there Miles went into playgroup and then English reading and writing 1-4 and then Creative Writing.  During and after Miles came his younger brother Morten, also completing reading and writing 1-4 and soon to finish Creative Writing.

A ten year journey of learning, discovery and friendship with Custom Kids.

Although we speak English at home and my children understand spoken English to a high level, as Miles's interest in letters on signs and how to read things started to grow I was nervous about trying to teach him reading or writing: I learnt it as a native in the UK and had little skills to help my child.  Combined with the frustrations and boredom of "having mummy try to teach you" I was concerned my best efforts would be confusing or less than helpful.  It was very important to me since I have English speaking ex-pat friends who's children's spoken English is excellent but will avoid reading in English and whose written English is many years below their biological age.  Such a golden opportunity lost.  So I was enormously glad to be able to access a local school that could guide my children, and me, on our English reading and writing journey.

I learnt "magic e", and the incredibly helpful navigation of the English phonetic alphabet with "i i i inky mouse!" and "e e e eggs!" to name but a few (I can still do the actions).  Tips to get b and d the right way round (the bat then the ball for b and the nose and ears for the d, donkey) which I wasn't able to manage alone.  I still look back in awe at how the whole CK team stepped up and pulled together to keep teaching through the covid lockdown, and afterwards with social distancing and masks.  Louise on video stream with her tricky words hat and teaching "yummy yellow yoghurt" is a memory that still makes me smile and gives me goosebumps when I think about the effort and care which every teacher invested in every child though those long and stressful days.  There have been songs, learning based crafts, poems and memorable plays and shows.  The children may not always appreciate it, but learning at Custom Kids is engaging and therefore more easily memorable and that is down to all of the teachers being engaging and going the extra mile.  Behind those teachers, must be a good Head Teacher that enables and empowers them so although you don't stand in front of my children you must, logically, be standing behind their teachers - so well done you.

My children made good friends who they met up with outside of classroom time - as a bonus providing yet more English exposure and practice. I made new friends, some of them life-long. Melissa and I have been to visit in Paris and am in regular contact with. Through Caroline I have joined the English Carol Choir.

And then there are mums who I have become friends with and who I meet up with in 'grown-up' time.

During 10 years I have had nothing but admiration for all the teachers my children have had.  Without fail, they have all been caring, engaging, honest, supportive, flexible and kind.  It is rare to come into contact with a business where one can say that all of the employees are good and all represent the business to the highest standard - may that continue ad infinitum for future generations of children, putting in place an excellent English reading and writing base for their entire lives.

My children are ready to move on, but I see them moving forward with a confident and informed base that Custom Kids has helped them to build. Personally, I shall miss my weekly trips to Ehrendingen and contact with Custom Kids: maybe I should have some sort of graduation ceremony, with a mortar board and photos, so that I have proper closure for this phase in my life!