A parent asked me, “Isn’t it wrong for parents to reward their children for something they should do, such as their homework? I would reward them for doing something above and beyond expectations, but why should I reward them for something that is their everyday responsibility?”
In the previous post, I offered a suggestion on how [...]
A parent asked me, “I’ve told my kids to do their homework when they first come home from school. But they just won’t do it, and end up finishing late. What can I do?”
The parent’s thinking is to get homework out of way first, and that is a good study habit. This makes sense…only to [...]
It’s about that time of year when children begin to lose focus at school. It’s mid semester, the work is getting harder. Tests are coming up and projects are due before the holidays. Our minds would rather be thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas than schoolwork.
How do you help your children stay on task with their [...]
It’s that time of year – Back to School! Are we excited yet??
My daughter entered the big high school this year! It’s quite intimidating for her to walk onto a much bigger campus with big juniors and seniors.
Whether your child is starting preschool or high school, at a new school or returning to a familiar [...]
What is the #1 factor that determines student success at school? Is it the teacher-student ratio? Is it dollars spent per student? Is it outside tutoring?
As summer draws to a close, we are gearing up for school. I just bought a new backpack for the daughter. But what she needs from me is more than [...]
What are your biggest concerns for your children in high school?
My daughter is looking forward to starting high school in September. Since our local high school is rather large with almost 3,000 students, she is concerned about being able to find her classes, navigating the complicated registration process, and keeping up with the academic demands.
From [...]
This week is National TV Turn-Off Week. Are you joining in the challenge?
Our elementary school gives incentives – small prizes and a popsicle at the end of the week for the students who can keep their TV off for the entire week – parents can’t watch either!
When my daughter was in 5th grade, it was [...]
Do children under 3 years old need formal education?
Do we need to buy them learning programs and educational software?
In a previous post, I pointed out a recent debate about whether DVD programs such as “Baby Einstein” are any use at all.
Do children learn by sitting and watching? Do they learn sitting in a classroom alongside [...]
The school year just started, and my daughter is already bringing home progress reports.
I’ve talked to many frustrated parents who have underachieving children. Their kids are bringing homes low grades, but they could be doing so much better at school if they’ll only apply themselves!
What can parents do to help the underachiever?
1. I can tell [...]
I am proud of my son, that despite my mistakes in parenting him – I had no experience with him as my first-born – he is turning out pretty well.
Yes, he’s always been a good student and all those things that moms are proud of in their kids.
But what I love best about him is [...]
I attended my daughter’s Back to School Night last week.
We are blessed to have a great turn-out of parents for such events at the schools.
Parent involvement is the number one factor in student success.
A friend who is a teacher told me of many incidences when she makes an appointment with parents to discuss their [...]
I am honored to have today’s post written by Margit Crane, M.A., M.S., M.Ed. She is a family relationship coach, speaker, author (HELP! My Teen Has Been Abducted By Aliens!), workshop leader and acclaimed expert on teens, ‘tweens, and their parents. She is the founder of Rock The World Coachinggâ„¢ and is also known as [...]
Around this time of year, thousands of high school seniors are anxiously sitting by the mailboxes waiting for the acceptance and rejection letters from colleges.
Chances are your child will be accepted into more than one college. How do you help him decide where to go?
Aside from the practical concerns of cost, location, and course of [...]
“What! You got a F in the class??!!”
What is your reaction when your child brings home a bad report card, a poor test grade, or a note from the teacher?
After you go berserk and raving mad, then what should you do?
Before you ground your child for the next 5 years, analyze the situation carefully before [...]
As a substitute teacher I was teaching a 3rd grade class today. The math topic was figuring out elapsed time on a clock.
“If the movie started at 6:30pm, and the movie was 1 hour and 15 minutes long, what time did the movie end?” The students are to write their answers on their individual white [...]
Do you remember doing “current events” when you were in school?
I remember in the 5th grade, every Monday was traumatic for me. Our assignment was to cut out an article from the newspaper and summarize the story orally in front of the class on Mondays. I distinctly remember this because it was the most dreaded [...]
The PTA says:
“Be involved. Parent involvement helps students learn, improves schools, and helps teachers work with you to help your children succeed.”
Parent involvement helps students learn…
Imagine if at your work your boss walks around your work area every so often, and even if he doesn’t say a thing to you, wouldn’t you naturally [...]
I get lazy, do you?
I have half finished projects, a messy desk, and stacks of paperwork waiting for me.
Children are often lazy too. They scribble a few answers on their homework, write a paragraph or two, and consider their homework done.
When I was substituting at an after-school care center, I helped children do their school [...]
Would you rather clean the house or go shopping? Would you choose washing dishes over watching TV?
No one prefers work over pleasure – not you, and certainly not your kids. So it really should come as no surprise that our children will find every excuse to procrastinate doing their homework or chores. Don’t we as [...]
Good reading skills is needed in just about every subject at school and in every area of life. Your child will be one step ahead if he is a good reader.
When I substitute in an elementary school class, I usually see the good readers placed in the “accelerated” group where they can work on projects [...]
