Is Your Home A Culture for Reading?

I found an article, Building a Culture of Reading for Kids and Parents, Too by Dash Lundy in the Mediaplanet December 2016 issue, and thought I would share some key points.

1.  Reading is not something that happens at school mysteriously by teachers.
2.  "The things that parents do and talk about every day are what children assume to be normal".
3.  So talk about what you read today.
4.  Buy books about things your child is interested in and read and talk about them together.
5.  Share newspaper or magazine articles to read together.
6.  Allow your child to earn electronic time via minutes of reading.
7.  Make sure your child is watching you read.

Before you know it your child has a passion to read.  Also you might need to buy some bookshelves.  I always look for second hand ones to paint together and have another bonding experience.

Attention Please - school help

This is from an article from Family Circle, "Attention Please" by Christine Vercelletto, January 2017

Parents who have a child with a ADHD diagnoses are in for a wild ride.  This child will test your patience, fortitude, and love.  Just remember to have lots of love for them but the following hints from this article might help.

1. Refuse to accept low grade due to the difficulty of managing ADHD.  Yes life and studying will be harder but again that is just life.
2. Exercise before school.  I joined a year round swim team that had practice before school.  Other options include run club before school.  Or just simply riding a bike or jogging together before school.
3. Look for new ways or areas to study or to do homework.  Try the library or a coffee shop.  Read outside together.  Quiz spelling word by passing a ball back and forth.  Be inventive!
4. Encourage topics for research or writing be based on your child's interests.  The teacher will have a better paper and it will be easier for your child to focus on an area of interest.
5.  Get approval for your child to stand in the back of the classroom while the teaching is going on. Sitting and squirming on the floor is distracting for everyone. Also pass out post its so your child can write out questions, so they won't have the need to blurt out.
6. Encourage fidgeting put a strip of Velcro under your child's desk.  "Check out other ideas at autism shop.com under 'Sensory Items'."

Other ideas include
1.  Wake up your child to their favorite music.
2. Speak softy while making eye contact and slowly pull them in for a hug.
3. Do homework in 10 -15 minute blocks throughout the afternoon and evening.
4. Hire a tutor for 90 minutes twice a week for long term projects and studying.
5. Create a picture schedule together on what he is supposed to be doing and when.  Then all you need is to point, limits vocal nagging.

Continue to read the article for more information on social  and home life.

Making your Child Capable

The Family Circle Jan 2017 has a wonderful article called, "What's Your Plan? By Leslie Josel.  I think this is a parent lesson most of us are missing.  Do you ever feel like you are telling your kids what to do over and over?  Do you feel like a broken record?  Do you have unlimited patience?  Do you find yourself just doing what you told them to do because they are not doing it?  This article has some great suggestions.

1. Talking less
2. Directing less
3. Questioning more

The author uses "What's your plan?"...  SO what is your plan after school?  What is your plan for swimming team?  What is your plan to study for the test or write the paper?

I had used this after rehashing perfecting clean clothes that were thrown in the hamper versus one of my children actually putting it away in their drawer.  I cancelled my job and the mom who washes all clothes.  I just washed mine and let the children wash theirs. I taught them how to use the washing machine and dryer.  Then I could set back and say, "What is your plan for having a clean uniform before your game Saturday?"  I only remember one son going to a game in a dirty uniform.  When they went to a game without their water they suddenly remembered to fill up their own water bottle.

The author has more questions for consideration for preteens and teens, such as:
1. "How do you see yourself...?"
2.  "What do you need to ...?"
3. "How should you...?


Here is her quiz.
Instead of saying.                                                                   Ask
GO get your dance shoes, leotard and towel.                    What goes in your bag?
Don't forget your backpack,phone,  key, money.               What do you need for school?
Make your bed and put your clothes in the hamper.    How should your room be left in the morning?

As a teacher I hope to remember to use this tool.

Instead of saying.                                                             I will ask
Here is your pencil and paper.                                 What do you need to did this task?
Get your math book and ruler.                                 What tools do you need for our math lesson
Write your introduction today.                                 What do you want your plan to be for this project?