Summer School: When to Consider It
Sometimes extra time in the classroom may be needed for your teen. Deciding whether that time is best served during school or during the summer is a decision that many parents have to make. Here are a few considerations to… Continue reading
Language Immersion Programs – Is It Right for My Child?
For those parents who live in an area where language immersion programs are offered, it may be difficult to make the choice as to whether or not their kids will benefit. Here is a list of some questions to consider, and some pros and cons based on the experiences of others and the nature of immersion programs themselves.
First of all, just what is a language immersion program? This refers to a type of learning that involves total immersion in a foreign language. A variety of subjects are taught in the language, rather than teaching the language as a separate subject. In other words, your child won’t have Spanish, French, German, etc. class; he or she will have math, social studies, etc. class taught in the foreign language. The language being learned is spoken almost all the time during the program.
Helping Your Children Thrive in School
Even though it’s the child who is going to school, there is so much you can do as a parent to help your children thrive in school. Here are some of the top ideas. Look over them and see which ones you can use with your child or children.
When your child is first starting school, the best thing you can do is read to them daily. Reading to your child will allow you to spend quality time with them and you’ll also be familiarizing them with the written word. You may be surprised how quickly they’ll pick up words if you point at them as you read aloud. Children truly are like little sponges, absorbing what they are shown.
The Positive Influence of Being Involved in your Child’s Education
It has been shown many times over in research studies that a parent who is involved in their child’s education has a positive impact. It’s reflected in improved grades and test scores, strong attendance, a higher rate of homework completion, higher graduation rates, improved attitudes and behaviors in the child, as well as the child being more likely to become involved in positive extra-curricular activities. Send out the message early in your child’s education that your home is an involved and active supporter of their learning.
Increasing Empathy for Children with Learning Problems
I have just returned from a trip to Europe that gave me a lot of insights as to how it must feel to be a child with learning difficulties.
Just as many children with learning difficulties have problems communicating in their native tongue because of understanding or expressing themselves with language, I had the same problems when attempting to speak to someone in French or Italian, as I do not speak their language.
Everyday social interactions become highly challenging and frustrating. I almost gave up several times in attempting to ask for a certain meal or directions because I simply could not make myself understood to the person I was trying to communicate with, or I could not understand what they were trying to say to me.
Remember, Mistakes are for Learning
It’s not easy to catch a baseball. Ask any four-year old. You have to keep your eyes tracking this small object hurtling at you through space, constantly separating the shape and color of the ball from other distracting colors and… Continue reading
Nearly One Million Kindergarten Children Per Year Misdiagnosed With ADHD
According to a recent study by a Michigan State University economist, nearly one million children in kindergarten in the United States are misdiagnosed with ADHD. The study attributes this to the disparity of ages in a kindergarten classroom. Most kindergarten… Continue reading
What to Do When Your Teenager Wants to Drop Out
Hearing your teenager tell you that they want to drop out of school can be frustrating and nerve-racking at the same time. You may be feeling many different emotions such as anger, helplessness and anxiety. However, ignore the instinct to yell and instead rationally talk to your teen and find out the underlying reason for wanting to drop out of school. Sometimes there is a simple underlying cause that can be solved, while others may need a bit more work.
Discuss the situation with your teen. Do they want to drop out because they do not feel as if they are succeeding or is it something more serious, like a bully? Teens are not known for being rational in their thinking; rather they are very impulsive and make spur-of-the-moment decisions.
You should discuss your teen’s situation with a counselor at the high school to determine what options are available as possible alternatives to full-time school as well as to understand any possible legal consequences for dropping out. You should also have your teen see their primary care physician for a check-up to determine if there are any underlying physical or mental conditions which may be affecting your teen’s attitude about school.
Why and How to Get Involved in Your Child’s School
Getting involved in your child’s school activities is an excellent way to further develop a bond with your child. Getting involved also helps your child to see that you are interested in their activities and will likely foster a higher academic success rate.
There are several ways that you can get involved in your child’s school such as joining the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), volunteering on field trips and being an active presence within the school itself.
Your ADHD Child and School: Quick Tips on Eliminating Homework Hassles This Year
Homework can be challenging for parents and kids when ADHD is in the picture. In order to prevent hassles, the first place to start is at your child’s school.
Try to meet with your child’s teachers and learn what the… Continue reading
