Best Time To Teach Your Child?

One of the things that I learned after not being in school is this, "just because you are talking, does not necessarily mean that I am listening." Fortunately, for one of my favorite young students, her mother was able to demonstrate the antithesis of this today.

For months at a time, I work with a handful of parents in teaching them some pretty important strategies and techniques which bridge the gap between good parenting - and great teaching. My parents humbly tell me that they are willing to let go of some styles that may border on "bad teaching practices" in favor of "positive learning outcomes". Whenever I hear this I know that this parent is on the path to being a good parent - and also a true partner in education.

Earlier today, my client told me that her daughter had broken something that was very valuable to her - a toy of some sort. This event had caused quite a stir in their house because she was trying to explain to her daughter the idea of personal responsibility and good citizenship. Her conversation was based on a short character lesson where her daughter was asked to define good citizenship. Giving her the example of taking care of things and owning up to the consequences of your actions was difficult for any individual - most especially a four year old. Her parenting lesson ended with the mother stating that, "If you continue to not take care of things, you will not be able to replace them because mommy and daddy will not have the money in our budget to purchase these items over and over again." This is where she had her daughter's attention - all the way to the edge of her chair. The next question was one that intrigued the little one, and my client as well. "Mommy, how do you and daddy make more money?"

When a child looks up to you and asks a question, any question -  they are searching for answers that they want to hear and learn, from you. Many times they will remember these experiences for longer than you can ever imagine. In my case, I distinctly remember the first time that I had to go to the doctor's office for my immunization shots that were required for school. I asked my father what the shots would feel like - and as he gave me the answer , I looked at his face so that I can mimic the same response.  I recall my father saying these exact words, "The injection will not hurt. The shot will feel like an ant dancing around your skin, like this." Needless to say, I was a brave five year old entering first grade when they had given me the shot. I copied what my father did when he showed me how little pain I would feel (to this day, I still make that same face when I have shots). What did not occur to me was that the shot made me pass out...

Back to my story - my client normally would have given her daughter the abbreviated answer if she had not met me for parenting advice, but found that this was the chance for her to be a good parent and put her best foot forward. Instead of driving home and giving her something to think about, she made good use of that time and became the parent that she knows - will go the extra mile for her children.

A Great Deal of Who You Are - Is What They Were...

I work with a great deal of parents in the community - and it always helps to talk to them after my sessions in order to have a greater understanding of who their child is - and is capable of being.

When I was a young girl - my parents had inspired me by the mere demonstration of who they are as people. Some conversations were substituted by how they live their life - social studies was rooted in everyday lessons of living a life of a good citizen; concepts of math were ingrained with how resources were economized in our family of seven; reading was instilled by watching my mother and father read the newspaper and sneak in magazines and books when we were quietly playing and entertaining other siblings. Our life was simple and filled with a thirst for knowledge and purpose. We were one in the same.

As children get older - they become more like their parents than they care to admit. After working with a four year old, I have noticed that there is a certain degree of shyness and insecurity that is shown when she performs in public. Sometimes I wish that I had time to talk to the mother about situations in her own life where she was once this way. Another young girl I have likes to have concepts explained to her in one or two sentences. When explaining this to her mother, she instantly connected the similarity that her husband has when he is dealing with people. She called it their shared "ADHD", I referred to it as "a family trait".

As my mother has always told me, your actions around your children are a performance for which they mimic. "Monkey see, monkey do." My mother showed me that it is often harder to take the high road in life - but sometimes when you accomplish something that is difficult, there is nobody that can take that away from you.

What lessons can you teach your child today?

If you have any questions regarding educational solutions or parenting tips, feel free to contact me at christine@learningridge.com or you can visit www.learningridge.com for more information.

Parents Are Good At - Being Parents:)

Today I was working with one of my young students helping her prepare for the big K: Kindergarten. It happens every time we are in the magical world of the library. Parents and their children circle around me to see what magic takes place in the hour that I am working. My student stands up to complete some of the assignments, she sits and problem solves through others. Regardless of what we are doing - I notice that these activities always catch the eye of onlookers each and every week.

On this day, I noticed a parent that was working right next to us. She was trying to mimic some of the different techniques that many parents use when working with their child. She was a younger parent and had so much enthusiasm - that her daughter slowly started to drift her attention to us. Her mother was asking questions and explaining things that her daughter (to be quite honest) was just not interested in. As a professional educator, I see how parents struggle, and at times ask them to step aside.

I've worked with many children and have even had the privilege of working with the children of teachers. When I say that parents are good at being parents - I mean just that. For the most part, your child really looks up to you to teach them many important things about life. In my household, my mother emphasized the importance of character and reputation each and everyday. When I asked my mother "why don't you know how to sew", she told me that "there are some things that we grow up not  being - a seamstress I am not." When I think of the best parents that I have worked with - the quality that they all share is knowing and identifying when it is time to seek outside help.

Nobody can take the place of the warmth that you provide to your child, or the permanent listening ear that you lend when your child needs someone to talk to. However, there may be a time where your child may need to learn how to read or calculate math facts from someone else. If that does happen, know that you have the signs of a good parent when you exercise parenting intuition.

Test Preparation - Do Your Kids Need It?

I can say that our generation was very fortunate when it came to learning. We were not spoon fed information from our teachers and parents and any information that we learned - we earned either by reading it or obtaining a degree.

When I was in 5th grade, the school that I attended had teachers give us a course in study skills. In this class, my teacher gave us some truly valuable advice on learning strategies that have helped me in my education and also in helping others.

What I have noticed is that this trend of setting people or children up for success is slowly starting to fade away. Children at a very young age are inundated with a variety of activities that take them away from the learning process. I have seen students walk out of private pre-school classes unable to transition to mainstream kindergarten. There are many reasons why this may be occurring but the fact of the matter is, there is so much time wasted on remediating rather than indoctrinating students with the proper way of learning something the first time around.

Test preparation - just like anything else in life, needs to be given a specific priority for your child. Try to take the time to help ease your child into understanding what the expectations are - and they will be successful in their attempts.

If you have any questions on test preparation or the private school admissions process - feel free to contact www.learningridge.com.

How Can We Equalize Achievement in America's Schools?

There are many critics in education today. Regardless of whether you are, were, or need to be in the classroom - I am sure that you have an opinion on what changes need to take place in order for our education system to improve.

One area that many individuals have looked at is in technology. By providing all children access to technology  - we will be able to strive for educational equity in our society. Is this something that can be done? Is technology the key to academic success in America's school system?

Equalizing Schools In the United States

Technology and the individuals responsible for the administration of it are constantly at odds. My hope is that more time will be spent helping educators become more proficient in the needs of educating the students of this generation. I do agree that many of the technologies that we are exposed to now did not exist when we attended school, but it is imperative that we learn to adapt to the growing educational needs of our young leaders for tomorrow.

Stephen Covey

Author of "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" has died. He was an influential person in the self-help industry and has been read by millions. For more information, click on the link below:

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/17/overheard-on-cnn-com-stephen-covey-inspired-highly-effective-lives/?iref=obnetwork

Fun Activity for the Day!

I know that those of us here in Atlanta are having a really difficult time with this heat. So you are asking yourself, what can you do to have a great time with your children? Here's my suggestion: a Sponge and Bucket Race!

Object of the Game:Move water from one bucket to another using a sponge

Variations of the Game:
Use plastic bowls or cups in lieu of sponges

Game Play:
Give each team one bowl of water, an empty bowl and a sponge.
Say, "Ready, set, go!" and instruct the students to
- Fill the sponge with water
- Run to the empty bowl
-Squeeze water into it.

How do you know who wins?
The first child to transfer the water from one bowl to the other wins!

Math Variation:

Time the event and calculate the difference in time for the students who come in at first, second and third place!