Research shows that parental involvement in schools improves student achievement, reduces absenteeism and restores confidence among parents in their children's education.
"Children need parents who have an interest in what's going on in the classroom," said Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association. "Parents must do everything they can to get their children fully engaged at school, reinforce their learning at home and develop a strong relationship with their teachers."
NEA, the nation's largest educators organization, offers the following tips for parents on how they can ensure a successful educational experience for their children:
* Go to parent-teacher conferences. If the school doesn't have them, set aside a time to meet with your children's teachers. Ask how your children are doing and review their work. Let the teachers know how and when it is best to reach you. Finally, ask how you can support your children's learning at home.
* Visit the classrooms. Getting a firsthand look at what is going on in your children's classrooms will help you stay informed about what they are learning at school.
* Join the PTA or other parent group. Go to school events, such as back-to-school night. As a group, parents can help schools reach their goals.
* Pay attention to what your children are learning at school. Be aware of what they need to know to meet the standards set for their grade level.
* Contact the school if you have any concerns.
Parental involvement also means reading to your children, checking homework every night, limiting television viewing on school nights or simply asking your children about their school day.
"Whatever your level of involvement, do it consistently and regularly because it will make an important difference in your children's lives," Weaver said.
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Labels:
Parenting
Your Teen: Tips On Successfully Fitting In
Most teens feel "different" in one way or another. Parents may understand their teens, but sometimes not in a way their children want them to. Here are some things to remember that may help parents understand their teens and help them to fit in:
• Remember, at this age friendships are very important. School is a teen's home away from home and parents should be prepared to feel a little neglected at times.
• Understand and accept that teens can be a different person when they are at home or at school; when they are with family or with their friends.
• Allow teens to keep some of their thoughts to themselves. Whether they want to communicate or not, keep the lines open at all times.
• Remind young teens that everyone doesn't have to like them and that socializing is a skill that gets better with practice.
• A good way to learn how to fit in might be to read books and watch movies about how other kids their age do it, such as "Napoleon Dynamite" or "Dr. Dolittle 3," which has just been brought out in a new DVD.
In the third Dr. Dolittle, the next generation, Maya Dolittle just wants to be a normal teenager despite the fact that she has inherited her father's uncanny ability to talk to the animals. So far this ability has brought her nothing but trouble.
Maya heads to Durango summer camp to get to know herself better. While there, she realizes that she can use her gift to help save the troubled ranch.
This hilarious third installment of the wildly popular series is not only great fun, it's a nice lesson on how new surroundings can sometimes help teens realize it's okay to be different.
• Remember, at this age friendships are very important. School is a teen's home away from home and parents should be prepared to feel a little neglected at times.
• Understand and accept that teens can be a different person when they are at home or at school; when they are with family or with their friends.
• Allow teens to keep some of their thoughts to themselves. Whether they want to communicate or not, keep the lines open at all times.
• Remind young teens that everyone doesn't have to like them and that socializing is a skill that gets better with practice.
• A good way to learn how to fit in might be to read books and watch movies about how other kids their age do it, such as "Napoleon Dynamite" or "Dr. Dolittle 3," which has just been brought out in a new DVD.
In the third Dr. Dolittle, the next generation, Maya Dolittle just wants to be a normal teenager despite the fact that she has inherited her father's uncanny ability to talk to the animals. So far this ability has brought her nothing but trouble.
Maya heads to Durango summer camp to get to know herself better. While there, she realizes that she can use her gift to help save the troubled ranch.
This hilarious third installment of the wildly popular series is not only great fun, it's a nice lesson on how new surroundings can sometimes help teens realize it's okay to be different.
Labels:
Parenting
Does my Child need Therapy?
Today, it is hard to determine if you should be providing child therapy to your child. It is very difficult for parents to think that there may be a problem with their baby. After all, up until the teen years hit, they allowed you to take care of them. They told you when things were not okay. You dealt with their needs throughout their life. But, now, you need to wonder if you should be providing teen therapy for them. To really know if your child needs help, ask yourself these questions.
What has changed about my child that has me concerned? If you are worried about their physical health, there is no doubt that you would recommend that they work with a doctor, right? So, if it is their emotional health that may be a problem, you need to get them the teen therapy they need.
Does your child have problems with eating, socializing or does he have behavior problems at school? Acting out in any of these areas is not normal. If your child is having problems, especially at school, child therapy can help.
Do you know that your child is drinking, doing drugs, engaging in sex, or is depressed? If you know this is the case, there is no doubt you need to get them into teen therapy before these circumstances ruin their lives. If you know about it, then it has probably gotten far out of hand.
Do you want them to have the best ability to make the right choices? Even if you do not feel your child has any problems, teen therapy can help to encourage things to stay that way.
Child therapy can be a blessing for a child. Even if they hate it and do not want to go, it can help them to realize that you care about their well being. It will help them to know what to do and how to react in their lives. Hearing from another adult what is right or wrong helps to strengthen their understanding and their belief in you. Teen therapy should not be a punishment then, but a way to get your child to safety.
What has changed about my child that has me concerned? If you are worried about their physical health, there is no doubt that you would recommend that they work with a doctor, right? So, if it is their emotional health that may be a problem, you need to get them the teen therapy they need.
Does your child have problems with eating, socializing or does he have behavior problems at school? Acting out in any of these areas is not normal. If your child is having problems, especially at school, child therapy can help.
Do you know that your child is drinking, doing drugs, engaging in sex, or is depressed? If you know this is the case, there is no doubt you need to get them into teen therapy before these circumstances ruin their lives. If you know about it, then it has probably gotten far out of hand.
Do you want them to have the best ability to make the right choices? Even if you do not feel your child has any problems, teen therapy can help to encourage things to stay that way.
Child therapy can be a blessing for a child. Even if they hate it and do not want to go, it can help them to realize that you care about their well being. It will help them to know what to do and how to react in their lives. Hearing from another adult what is right or wrong helps to strengthen their understanding and their belief in you. Teen therapy should not be a punishment then, but a way to get your child to safety.
Labels:
Parenting
Your One Year-Old's Development
The first birthday is always exciting to celebrate. If you're a new parent, this event always lingers in your mind and you just probably can't wait to invite your families and friends to have fun in the extraordinary occasion.
Day after day, you've seen them growing bigger and smarter. Each time they're able to reach the next developmental stage, you and your spouse are indulged in great happiness.
One of the most cheering moments about this is when you see them make their first steps alone. You'll get into the unspoken emotion just like other parents do.
However, some of you perhaps haven't been going through this feeling as your one year-old baby isn't able to walk yet. Actually, you shouldn't be worried about this. Each child is unique and has a different development from the others.
Then, what things babies can do when they reach their first year of life? Generally, here they are:
1. Take their first steps alone - Once you see them walking, you'll be surprised on how far they can walk without your hand on theirs guiding. Sometimes they tiptoe, and it's exactly a funny and incredible thing you shouldn't miss out. Get a camera to capture the moment!
2. Say 'mama', 'papa', 'dada' - Encourage your babies to talk by always talking, too. Most babies can say the three words mentioned when they're one year-old, even though they probably don't understand the meaning of them yet.
3. Understand simple instructions - It's exciting to see your babies understand what you want them to do. When you say 'bye-bye', they will abruptly move their hands and make the bye-bye gesture. Or, when you tell them to look at you or your spouse, for example 'where's Daddy?', they'll move their head and look into their daddy's eyes. Of course you need to stimulate them over and over to make them recognize which one is which.
4. Point at things they're interested in - Your babies will point at objects they're fond of. They'll also say 'ooh' while pointing, making the 'target' precise.
5. Move their hands and body rhythmically to a music played - Some babies begin to 'dance' between the ages of 7-10 months-old. Whenever they listen to music, especially the one that they love, you'll grin as you see their hands and body flourishing along the tune.
If your babies don't do the things above, again, no need to worry. They'll reach the stage in several weeks or months. Develop the bonds of love between the two of you.
Enjoy the moments you all have together with the kids. Happy first birthday to your babies!
Day after day, you've seen them growing bigger and smarter. Each time they're able to reach the next developmental stage, you and your spouse are indulged in great happiness.
One of the most cheering moments about this is when you see them make their first steps alone. You'll get into the unspoken emotion just like other parents do.
However, some of you perhaps haven't been going through this feeling as your one year-old baby isn't able to walk yet. Actually, you shouldn't be worried about this. Each child is unique and has a different development from the others.
Then, what things babies can do when they reach their first year of life? Generally, here they are:
1. Take their first steps alone - Once you see them walking, you'll be surprised on how far they can walk without your hand on theirs guiding. Sometimes they tiptoe, and it's exactly a funny and incredible thing you shouldn't miss out. Get a camera to capture the moment!
2. Say 'mama', 'papa', 'dada' - Encourage your babies to talk by always talking, too. Most babies can say the three words mentioned when they're one year-old, even though they probably don't understand the meaning of them yet.
3. Understand simple instructions - It's exciting to see your babies understand what you want them to do. When you say 'bye-bye', they will abruptly move their hands and make the bye-bye gesture. Or, when you tell them to look at you or your spouse, for example 'where's Daddy?', they'll move their head and look into their daddy's eyes. Of course you need to stimulate them over and over to make them recognize which one is which.
4. Point at things they're interested in - Your babies will point at objects they're fond of. They'll also say 'ooh' while pointing, making the 'target' precise.
5. Move their hands and body rhythmically to a music played - Some babies begin to 'dance' between the ages of 7-10 months-old. Whenever they listen to music, especially the one that they love, you'll grin as you see their hands and body flourishing along the tune.
If your babies don't do the things above, again, no need to worry. They'll reach the stage in several weeks or months. Develop the bonds of love between the two of you.
Enjoy the moments you all have together with the kids. Happy first birthday to your babies!
Labels:
Parenting
Unhealthy Air in Schools: Building Materials Play a Role
Oftentimes, these problems can be attributed to the materials used in constructing the schools, many of which provide a food source for mold.
Even with the best building design, moisture likely will be present in all schools at some point, so the choice in building materials is critical to reducing or eliminating the amount of damage caused by mold.
A new video produced by the National Concrete Masonry Association titled "Building Smarter Schools: Are You Making an Educated Investment?" calls attention to the issue of mold in school buildings and its cost to communities.
"In our area of Texas, there is an 18-month-old school that is abandoned and full of mold," said Chris Huckabee, chief executive officer of the architecture firm Huckabee & Associates and a frequent lecturer on high-performance school design. "This is obviously not popular with the taxpayers or the school administrators."
The video showcases schools across North America in which masonry construction was the solution to serious mold problems. Huckabee notes that all of the schools that his company has built -more than 1,000 - were built with masonry because mold will not damage it.
"Schools are landmarks in the community and we want them to stand the test of time," said Huckabee, who is featured in the video, along with school architects, a school superintendent and a facilities director for a large school division. All favor the use of concrete masonry in school construction because it is resistant to mold, wind and fire, durable, energy-efficient and easy to maintain.
Even with the best building design, moisture likely will be present in all schools at some point, so the choice in building materials is critical to reducing or eliminating the amount of damage caused by mold.
A new video produced by the National Concrete Masonry Association titled "Building Smarter Schools: Are You Making an Educated Investment?" calls attention to the issue of mold in school buildings and its cost to communities.
"In our area of Texas, there is an 18-month-old school that is abandoned and full of mold," said Chris Huckabee, chief executive officer of the architecture firm Huckabee & Associates and a frequent lecturer on high-performance school design. "This is obviously not popular with the taxpayers or the school administrators."
The video showcases schools across North America in which masonry construction was the solution to serious mold problems. Huckabee notes that all of the schools that his company has built -more than 1,000 - were built with masonry because mold will not damage it.
"Schools are landmarks in the community and we want them to stand the test of time," said Huckabee, who is featured in the video, along with school architects, a school superintendent and a facilities director for a large school division. All favor the use of concrete masonry in school construction because it is resistant to mold, wind and fire, durable, energy-efficient and easy to maintain.
Labels:
Parenting
Traveling For Thanksgiving - Keeping Kids Busy
Thanksgiving is a time for gathering the family, but how do you keep kids interested while in the car or sitting in airports? Have them keep journals.
Thanksgiving Travel
Nothing beats getting your extended family together for Thanksgiving. It is a great time to catch up and laugh about old times. The only aggravating thing, of course, is actually traveling to meet up. There are already stories of travel nightmares in the news two days before Thanksgiving. This can be particularly troubling if you have kids who become easily bored.
In these days of the Internet and video games, the average child seems to have an attention span of about 30 seconds. If a glassy-eyed child killing things on a screen is not your idea of good thing, what alternatives do you have? Giving your child a writing journal is a great way to keep them busy without resorting to violent video games.
For many kids, the only way to truly get their attention on a thanksgiving trip is to get them involved. The best method for doing this is to give them a journal and ask them to keep notes on everything they seem. At the end of the day, they should be encouraged to write a journal entry about what happened during the day. It will give them an outlet for their thoughts, promote good writing skills and preserve family experiences they would otherwise forget with time.
A good journal for kids will combine a number of characteristics. First, it should be compact. Second, it should have a case to protect it from rain, spills and just because kids will be kids. Third, the journal should contain blank areas for notes, doodles and so on. Finally, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind children to pay attention to certain things and write them down. Cues should include:
1. Who went on the family vacation,
2. Places visited and why they are important,
3. The most memorable experience each day,
4. New friends made and contact information for them,
5. Which family members were present, and
6. Impressions.
As time passes, the family vacations journals will remind your kids of past trips. Memories fade with time, even for kids. By keeping a journal, kids will open their eyes to things around them, enhancing your Thanksgiving family gathering. Hopefully, it will also keep them busy and away from video games.
Thanksgiving Travel
Nothing beats getting your extended family together for Thanksgiving. It is a great time to catch up and laugh about old times. The only aggravating thing, of course, is actually traveling to meet up. There are already stories of travel nightmares in the news two days before Thanksgiving. This can be particularly troubling if you have kids who become easily bored.
In these days of the Internet and video games, the average child seems to have an attention span of about 30 seconds. If a glassy-eyed child killing things on a screen is not your idea of good thing, what alternatives do you have? Giving your child a writing journal is a great way to keep them busy without resorting to violent video games.
For many kids, the only way to truly get their attention on a thanksgiving trip is to get them involved. The best method for doing this is to give them a journal and ask them to keep notes on everything they seem. At the end of the day, they should be encouraged to write a journal entry about what happened during the day. It will give them an outlet for their thoughts, promote good writing skills and preserve family experiences they would otherwise forget with time.
A good journal for kids will combine a number of characteristics. First, it should be compact. Second, it should have a case to protect it from rain, spills and just because kids will be kids. Third, the journal should contain blank areas for notes, doodles and so on. Finally, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind children to pay attention to certain things and write them down. Cues should include:
1. Who went on the family vacation,
2. Places visited and why they are important,
3. The most memorable experience each day,
4. New friends made and contact information for them,
5. Which family members were present, and
6. Impressions.
As time passes, the family vacations journals will remind your kids of past trips. Memories fade with time, even for kids. By keeping a journal, kids will open their eyes to things around them, enhancing your Thanksgiving family gathering. Hopefully, it will also keep them busy and away from video games.
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