Posted by TinyTotties on August 26 2011
Much of your child’s education will happen at school, but if you aren’t supplementing and helping with their education at home you are missing out on valuable opportunities. Homework is a great way to keep track of what your children are learning at school and can help you to be a part of your child’s education.
Make Sure it Gets Done
Some parents think that once school is out work should be done for the day, but homework is very important. Make sure that your child is doing their homework each day. Also make sure that they are taking it to school with them once it is complete. Many teachers will create a take home list for their students that outlines the weekly assignments. Check for this list and help your child to get their homework done.
Create Lines of Communication
The teacher is there to facilitate your child’s learning and open communication between you and your child’s teacher can help them to create effective homework plans for their students. Pay attention to how long it takes your child to complete their homework. If it goes too quickly or is too easy for your child you can ask for more work or supplement their learning on your own. On the other hand if homework is taking hours and is too difficult you can work with the teacher to find a better balance. By showing an interest and communicating positively with your child’s teacher you can ensure that your child gets the full benefit of homework.
Teach in Other Ways
In addition to homework you can foster learning in other ways around the home. Show your child how the principles that they are learning at school apply to every day life. You will know what your child is learning by paying attention to their homework. If your child is learning about fractions you can bake cookies to show how fractions relate to baking. If they are studying colors you can have an afternoon of painting and color mixing. Find activities that will supplement your child’s learning and education while reinforcing the things that they are learning at school.
Be Positive
A positive attitude toward your child’s homework and teacher will help them to take both more seriously. Don’t openly criticize homework assignments in front of your child. If you have a disagreement with your child’s teacher, keep it to yourself. A positive attitude and outlook on homework will help your child succeed.
Posted by TinyTotties on August 06 2011
In a busy adult world it can be easy to tune out the voices of your children. When you are worried about paying the bills and cooking dinner you might not want to listen to your child talk about school or why baseball is the coolest sport ever. Learning to listen to your children is an acquired skill, but will carry many benefits if you take the time to learn it.
When you listen to your kids you will know what they are thinking. You will know their hopes and dreams and worries. This will help you to prepare your child for success and to calm fears. Your children are also more likely to listen to you when you take the time to listen to them. When your children have problems arise in their lives you want them to know that you will take the time to listen so that they will turn to you for advice and help.
Have Family Dinners
Family dinner can be a great way to communicate with your family and keep everybody close. The world is chaotic and busy so focusing on having a set family time each day is important. Family dinners will be more successful if you have them consistently and at the same time. This allows everyone to plan. Make sure that you find a time that works for everyone so that you can all sit down and talk and listen to each other. Don’t have family dinners in front of the TV and make the dinner table a cell phone and computer free zone.
Set a Time
You aren’t always going to be available for a conversation at a moments notice. If your child wants to tell you about their new friend while you are working or busy, let them know that it isn’t a good time. Then set a better time and stick to it. You don’t have to drop everything when your child wants to talk, but you do need to find a time that will work for the both of you.
Do Things Together
Working with your children is a great time to talk with them. Find activities that you and your child can do together and then talk with them while you work. If you need to work in yard have your child come along and sit next to you while you pull weeds. You can also do fun things together like taking a walk, going for ice cream or playing a favorite game.
Remove Distractions
You probably don’t like it when an adult conversation is interrupted by a phone call or when someone is constantly texting while talking with you. Show your children that they care by removing distractions and focusing on what they have to say. Their conversation with you should be just as important as a conversation with a boss or important client.
The sooner that you establish good lines of communication with your children the better. If you learn to listen to them and respect them you will have better communication in your family.