Parent

Preparing the Senior High Student for College and Beyond

June 23, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

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As your child enters senior high, a whole new world is going to open up to them. Puberty, being on the cusp of adulthood, and the countdown to college years has begun. However, a parent needs to guide their child through these years with tact and discipline. Many kids find that as they reach their senior year, their desire to stay focused is lessened. A parent has to do what they can to help maintain focus.

About midway through senior high, kids are faced with decisions to make. This is the time to start looking into colleges as well as figure out what field they want to study in. Grades need to be kept up, loans and grants are going to have to be applied for, and most likely part-time work is going to be sought out. All of these issues combine into one gigantic wad of stress for parents and children alike.

The key to surviving these years intact is to find a balance. Grades are the first and foremost important issue. A lesser grade makes or breaks the ability to get into the school of a teenager’s dreams. So while they may want to work in order to have money, you as the parent need to decide if work should win out over grades. Certainly supporting a teenager’s newfound habits are on the expensive side, but no one said children are cheap.

Ultimately you will do what makes the most sense for your family situation. However, no matter how much a teenager will tick you off, support them in whatever they do because they still need you.

Filed Under: Students Tagged With: Adolescence, High school, Parent

Dealing with the Tween Years of Junior High

June 16, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

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A child reaching junior high is on the cusp of the first big change in his life. Sixth grade is probably the last year of sanity before puberty strikes, bringing with it many changes. A parent needs to exercise great patience in order to get through the tumultuous years.

Up until this point, it was easy for the student to focus on their school work without much distraction. The hormones still haven’t set in and life tends to be much simpler. However, once puberty starts in, the ability to focus on schoolwork starts becoming trickier. The temptations to distraction need to be battled, especially considering that the junior high years can make or break the student’s chances to get into a top high school. And even in systems where there is only one high school to funnel into, study habits need to be formed at this stage to overcome the next set of changes.

This is the stage of life where parents need to sit down with their children and have frank talks with them. Their child’s world is changing, and if there is no parental context, it can be a confusing time. The major issue to deal with is the fact that emotions go all over the map at this point. Having a talk about the consequences of their actions is extremely important.

Eventually, this too shall pass as it has for untold number of tweens. Parents that do their due diligence by working and talking with their children survive intact, as do their kids.

Filed Under: Education, Learning Activities & Games Tagged With: High school, Middle school, Parent

Navigating Conferences: Advice for Teachers

May 16, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

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A primary education isn’t easily earned: texts can be obscure; facts can bore; and statistics can blur together, offering nothing but tedium. Young students can find themselves overwhelmed by knowledge, seeking refuge in wild behavior to end the monotony. This — of course — can lead to problems within classrooms, and teachers will then be forced to address them with parent conferences.

This is a concept that worries most instructors — if only because they’ve learned to expect the worst from parents who are more interested in defending their childrens’ honors than listening to reason. Emotions can rise; arguments can occur; and the problems of the classroom can be exacerbated, simply because they’re not solved.

It’s imperative therefore to shape each conference to neutrality to keep them from devolving:

Avoid Accusations

Parents are all too easy to offend — any perceived slight against their children will lead to conflict. Teachers must try to avoid any argumentative tones or words therefore. There should be no accusations, only an identification of concerns.

Offer Examples

Proof is the foundation of all sciences. It’s also the burden teachers must face in conferences. Examples will be required before parents will accept an issue: be certain then to list specific instances. These should be presented as facts and not as condemnations.

Provide Answers

The success of a conference is measured not in the identifying of a problem, but instead in its resolution. Teachers must have plans prepared — with parental involvement highly encouraged.

Conferences are challenging, too often becoming sources of contention rather than support. It’s vital therefore that instructors frame each attempt with patience, careful words and strategy.

Filed Under: Teacher Tips Tagged With: Classroom, Parent, Teacher

Grammar School Children and Homeschooling

March 24, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Many parents opt for homeschooling their children from grammar school age and up because they’d like to spend more time with them while having an active role in their learning. For some parents, putting the children in school offers a minor sense of relief and a much needed break when life becomes busier. While there are many good schools nationwide, it might not seem as safe to some of us.

If you’re interested in homeschooling your child, it can be a challenge with many rewards that can last for both yours and their lifetime. Please be sure to research homeschooling carefully, as each state and territory will have its own set of laws pertaining to education.

One of the first places to investigate might be online support groups that specialize in homeschooling within your area. You might even want to use your library card that’s been collecting dust in your junk drawer, since many books can be found on the subject. Certification may be necessary before getting started.

Contrary to some beliefs, homeschooling doesn’t cause our children to be any more or less sheltered than their peers. Quite a few students seem to enjoy it since homeschooling can provide more flexibility and less pressure overall. While each school subject is important, it isn’t necessary for all grammar school-age students to perfect all of their math skills. Parents who want to teach don’t have to master every topic and it is possible for their children to enroll in classes for the subjects that seem uncomfortable.

If parents lack the time to teach, some children enjoy learning solely from schools online. Additionally, many parents like teaching some of the course work and they divide the time with e-learning classes.

Parents can integrate education and socialization by taking field trips in the same manner as public and private school settings. Whenever you do, remember to keep a balance between learning and free time. Offer rewards for good work.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Child, Education, homeschool, Parent

Sex Education: Where do we Begin?

March 16, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

The letter “e,” sandwiched by “s” and “x” may be scary for us when our children begin asking questions. Many parents are often left with a void of what to say in their responses and the concept of sex education provided by the school system may be missing some imperative knowledge. This of course depends on who’s teaching the school’s health curriculum and how precisely the information is presented to students.

Ideally educators should provide sex education at the dawn of puberty, which for girls this can begin between the ages 9 and 13. Boys can enter puberty between ages 10 and 12. While it’s true that students may giggle, it’s important information for them to be aware of. When students are still in elementary school girls and boys health classes are typically separated and the nature of instruction has to do with bodily changes that will occur with each gender.

For parents the task of introducing the birds, bees or life’s continuation can be daunting, but it’s necessary to provide the facts regardless of age. Many of us shudder to think of what can result when we have a talk with our children about this very topic. Many more of us worry what will happen if our children are not properly informed on the subject. It’s been a debate for many decades, but we should be open to any questions and remember to answer them honestly and clearly to ensure were understood. The stork species is still in existence, but we’re all aware that they have nothing to do with dropping babies off on the doorstep or through the fireplace.

Curiosity makes us human, but many believe that certain television programs and magazine advertisements peak interest. As parents and educators we should consider encouraging knowledge, but through accredited sources since certain TV shows and magazines can instigate mythical beliefs. Children need reliable sources to go to with their questions. Being uncomfortable doesn’t matter here.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Education, Parent, Sex education

Self-Esteem Education for Children

March 9, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Although many people believe that self-esteem is something we’re born with rather than taught many others feel that parents and teachers can intervene at an early age. When it comes to teaching children the skills to improve or increase self-esteem, education can be last for a lifetime if it’s done properly.

Parents can let their children know (at a young age) that all of us have more than one important role in our lives. We can be someone’s brother or sister while also being someone’s friend, cousin and hero. Additionally, we can be talented in more than one area. Some of us are good teachers and writers. Others have an eye for every detail and make good party planners, cooks, and interior decorators. Most young people don’t require complicated explanations and usually just want to know the facts.

With many of the nation’s children being in the care of school settings for much of the time during the week, many parents seek the assistance of teachers. Activities that encourage self-esteem are offered within many classrooms. Some instructors like to give their students a written assignment at the beginning of the year and they discuss what they like about themselves. Nothing negative is included and upon completion of this assignment, teachers will keep students papers until later in the second semester of school. Ideally, this kind of activity should occur during elementary school. This gives an opportunity for reflection and personal growth.

Interviews shouldn’t just be left to career-hopefuls or post-graduate students. Many have suggested the interviewing process as a means of getting to know others of all ages in just a few short minutes. We all have different personalities and unique quirks that set us apart from others. This means that not everyone will get along and interviews can offer more education about someone else. We may not acquire a best friend by interviewing each other, but we can teach tolerance and self-esteem.

Filed Under: Learning Theories & Development Tagged With: Education, Parent, Self-esteem, Teacher

Helping Students Avoid Peer Pressure in Junior High

March 7, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Although peer pressure begins way before junior high, it seems to be when it initially becomes more of an issue in children’s lives. Some of our children are particularly strong and have no problem speaking their mind. For more assertive students, the word “no” can be heard often without regret. Still, parents and teachers can reinforce certain guidelines to help them steer clear of undesirable situations.

For many students who are of middle school age, it can be helpful for them to contemplate about negative scenarios that could play out when peer pressure wins. Parents should not be afraid to talk to their children at any age. State the facts about the harm of drinking, smoking and drugs. Many people feel that anything interfering with bodily and mental health isn’t an acceptable means of getting into the limelight of popularity.

It seems that the term “friend” is so widely and loosely used. For some students in junior high, who they are unfortunately can equate with how their peers perceive them. Maybe it would be useful for parents and faculty members to ask children to differentiate between friendship and popularity. As many of us are aware, popularity doesn’t necessarily mean the same as wholesomeness. Consequently, some schools hold mandatory workshops several times within the school year.

Our children can mirror us early on in life and although morality cannot be taught, we need to practice good teaching, parenting and role modeling. In addition it’s important to discuss personal values with kids. Many of us want to be well-liked but we don’t always stop to think about other people’s behaviors.

As adults, we should surround ourselves with others who have things in common with us and come from a good background. As we age, super-stardom may seem irrelevant. True friendship and self-respect remain in their own realm. if there are no boundaries set, than peer pressure might as well win the war for life.

Filed Under: Education, Students Tagged With: Middle school, Parent, Peer pressure

Teacher Parent Communication

February 3, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Keeping the lines of communication open between parents and teachers is an important part of having a successful school year. While it is up to parents to help keep the communication going, there are some things that teachers can do to open the lines of communication.

There are students who display issues within the classroom early in the school year. Teachers should assume that, at some point in the year, a problem will arise. Start out by sending notes home telling the parents that the child has had an especially good day or has done something well in school. It shows the parents that you are taking notice of their child.

If a minor issue does arise, beginning any note or phone call to the parents with praise for the child in some area. Again, it helps lower the defenses of a parent as well as shows them that you care about the student enough to notice positive things as well.

When a major issue or an emergency comes up within the classroom for a particular student, call the parents right away. Do not hope or assume that the problems will de-escalate or just get better on its own.

Give the parents of your students as many ways to get ahold of you as you are comfortable with. Besides the school phone number and times when you are most likely to be able to take calls, a cell phone number and an email address are also very helpful.

Lastly, always remember to use positive and open body language when talking to parents, even over the phone. Your body language can be conveyed through your tone. Parents respond less defensively when the teachers they are talking to do the same.

Filed Under: Teacher Tips Tagged With: Parent, Student, Teacher

Writing in the First Grade

December 23, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

When a child first enters first grade it is not uncommon for that child’s parents to be a bit nervous about how much or how little the child can actually write. The usual standards for someone who is entering first grade can seem a bit daunting especially if you are talking about a kid who is struggling a little bit in Kindergarten with their writing. What parents must understand is that while schools would like for every student to be at the top of the education ladder as far as what they can do and what they cannot it simply isn’t realistic to expect every child to be at the same level.

The next thing parents need to be able to avoid is getting nervous because their kids might be a little bit behind someone else. This does not mean that the child is abnormal or is slow or will always be behind. There are plenty of kids who simply do not have the ingrained desire to read or write as much as the next kid and then suddenly as if they were shot with some sort of magic bullet they will realize that they actually like reading and writing.

In first grade more kids are expected t be able to label basic picture such as that of a cat or a dog with their own writing. In first grade these children will still have quite a few letters that may look more like Sanskrit than actual English letters and that is certainly to be expected. Perfect handwriting by a first grader would be the exception and nowhere near the norm. What parents have to understand when it comes to first grade writing is that children are still feeling themselves out when it comes to spelling certain words and encouragement rather than anxiety is the best way to help.

Filed Under: Students, Teacher Tips Tagged With: Child, Education, Parent

Meeting the First Grade Expectations

December 20, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

When children enter the first grade their parents can often feel as though they are frozen by the fear that their child is not yet ready to enter grade school. After all grade school is basically the beginning of the end of their children’s education and while college can seem a long ways off it can also seem fairly close when you really do the math. First grade is the first of just 12 different levels until they head off into the real world and for most parents that 12 years can seem like it flies by in the blink of an eye.

So what should parents know about how much their kids need to be prepared? When it comes to reading their child should have some basic words, known as sight words in their repertoire. This means that there should be at least some words they can recognize in print by just a glance. Decoding will also be done in the first grade, which means that while the child will not know the first right off the bat, they will be able to decipher what the word is thanks to its proximity to other words they already know. Sounding out is a helpful tool when talking about decoding in reading.

As far as writing goes, again there should be several words the child can write with varying degrees of success. Writing a letter the wrong direction is perfectly normal by a first grader, but as the year goes on the letters in which they have problems with should be rarer and rarer. It helps most parents to understand that at first it may seem like their child is lagging behind the class. This is normal as most kids will have initial struggles. Victory is achieved when their child learns from their mistakes and is able to correct them as the year wanes on.

Filed Under: Students, Teacher Tips Tagged With: Child, Elementary school, Parent, Sight word