The bond between a grandparent and grandchild can be unique, very special and good for the whole family. There are so many benefits to making sure your children can have a relationship with their grandparents. The grandparent can be a role model and positive influence. They can instill a sense of family pride as they share culture and family history with the children. They can even act as arbitrators between parents and their children.
Grandparents often have time to spend with our children. They may have skills to pass on like cooking, woodworking, sewing, fishing etc. Many of us have special memories of our own grandparents. Some of my own memories include the smell of my grandfather's vet office and the stories on my grandmother's lap. My other grandfather would offer us apple slices cut with his jackknife. The unconditional love between children and their grandparents can provide a sense of stability and security for children.
Many children are blessed with having grandparents who live nearby. But what about the family whose grandparents may live miles away? Visits should be planned into our busy schedules. Technology can be used to send pictures, email and even video chat. Children love to get mail. Grandparents can send letters and then the children can do the same.
If your children do not have grandparents, they can developa relationship with a local elderly person. This may be a neighbor, friend's grandparent or someone at the local nursing home. Creating a bond like this can also help our children have a positive attitude and respect for the elderly. This past week I witnessed the extreme grief of children losing a grandparent. However, I bet they would never trade the time and love they shared with that grandparent for anything in the world.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Expectations are Relative to Performance
I have been reading about many aspects of raising and teaching children and one thought keeps popping up over and over again. This idea is that what parents and teachers expect of children has a strong relationship to performance. It doesn't matter if a study was conducted in the 1970's or in 2010. It is clear that our expectations of children are very important.
Of course our first thought is that this applies to the classroom at school. Teachers must know each student well enough to have a good idea of his/her potential. Then a good teacher will create a learning environment that challenges but doesn't discourage that student. But did you know that parental expectations are also highly linked to school performance?
The question of what level of education a child will pursue is also highly affected by parental expectations. Children whose parents expect them to graduate highschool are more likely to do so. The same is true for students who plan to attend and graduate from college or trade school. Family values regarding education are really important to every child's potential achievements.
I contend that parental expectations are also important in areas other than school. If we expect good behavior from children, they will be more likely to behave. If we expect our children to be caring, kind and courteous, they will usually be just that. If we expect our children to do things for others they will be more helpful and likely to volunteer when needed. If we expect our youth to get involved in worthwhile activities they may join clubs, sports and youth organizations. The list goes on and on and I think the key word here is expectations. What do you expect from your children?
Of course our first thought is that this applies to the classroom at school. Teachers must know each student well enough to have a good idea of his/her potential. Then a good teacher will create a learning environment that challenges but doesn't discourage that student. But did you know that parental expectations are also highly linked to school performance?
The question of what level of education a child will pursue is also highly affected by parental expectations. Children whose parents expect them to graduate highschool are more likely to do so. The same is true for students who plan to attend and graduate from college or trade school. Family values regarding education are really important to every child's potential achievements.
I contend that parental expectations are also important in areas other than school. If we expect good behavior from children, they will be more likely to behave. If we expect our children to be caring, kind and courteous, they will usually be just that. If we expect our children to do things for others they will be more helpful and likely to volunteer when needed. If we expect our youth to get involved in worthwhile activities they may join clubs, sports and youth organizations. The list goes on and on and I think the key word here is expectations. What do you expect from your children?
Friday, February 10, 2012
What can a parent do to help your child's teacher?
Are you a parent who helps or hinders your child's education? Did you know that new teachers remain in this profession an average of just 4.5 years? Many of those who exit the profession, list " issues with parents" as one of the reasons they leave teaching. What can we do as parents to help teachers provide a well rounded education that will prepare our children for life and the workplace? What can we do so that good teachers will want to remain in this profession?
First of all, we need to be partners with the teacher. This means keeping communication open between you and the teacher. Parents should attend parent-teacher conferences. They should look at their child's papers and notes from school every day. Parents need to communicate any concerns they have to the teacher. It also means that if the teacher expresses a concern about your child's behavior, that you listen and consider what the teacher is saying. Teachers see your child in a whole different environment than you do.
If your child gets reprimanded by the teacher, don't be quick to defend your child. No student is perfect at all times and we should accept that it is OK for our children to be disciplined. We have to present a united front to the child by backing up the action taken at school.
When a child is disciplined, it can teach important life lessons. Students will not only need good grades in subject matter to succeed at work. They will need to know how to follow directions and get along with others. They will need to know how to turn in assignments on time. They will need to be able to take direction from a boss with whom they may not always agree.
If we want to prepare our children to be ready for a successful career of their own. We need to begin while they are at school by partnering with our teachers and administrators in order to achieve this. We love and care for our children, but so do their teachers at school. Let's work together for the good of our students.
First of all, we need to be partners with the teacher. This means keeping communication open between you and the teacher. Parents should attend parent-teacher conferences. They should look at their child's papers and notes from school every day. Parents need to communicate any concerns they have to the teacher. It also means that if the teacher expresses a concern about your child's behavior, that you listen and consider what the teacher is saying. Teachers see your child in a whole different environment than you do.
If your child gets reprimanded by the teacher, don't be quick to defend your child. No student is perfect at all times and we should accept that it is OK for our children to be disciplined. We have to present a united front to the child by backing up the action taken at school.
When a child is disciplined, it can teach important life lessons. Students will not only need good grades in subject matter to succeed at work. They will need to know how to follow directions and get along with others. They will need to know how to turn in assignments on time. They will need to be able to take direction from a boss with whom they may not always agree.
If we want to prepare our children to be ready for a successful career of their own. We need to begin while they are at school by partnering with our teachers and administrators in order to achieve this. We love and care for our children, but so do their teachers at school. Let's work together for the good of our students.
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