| Be aware of and discuss alcoholism in the family,or other factors that put children at risk. Build on the assets in your child,family,school and community. |
| The Homework Mastery Center Newsletter January/February 2012 |
Tips to avoid alcohol,
tobacco and other drug
problems in children.
Talk to your children.
Listen to your children.
Have family rules.
Start early by preventing
tobacco use.
Provide good role modeling.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
- How to Raise a
Well-rounded
Child - Great Homework
Internet Sites - Cultivate Your
Child
Intelligence
How to Raise a Well-rounded Child
The key to raising a well-rounded child is to establish a solid support system
at home so that they grows up satisfied with their achievements and
ambitions. "The goal as a parent is to help your child feel competent and
confident, and to help them develop a sense of passion and purpose," says
Susan Stiffelman, MFT, an educational therapist and author of Parenting
Without Power Struggles. It's the education that happens before they set
foot into school that is crucial in bringing up such a child.
"If you want to enhance your child's learning abilities to eventually boost
their academic performance, it will take consistency, dedication, and
patience," says Michele Borba, Ed.D., an advisor for Parents and the author
of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions. Consider these seven techniques if
you're looking to raise a child who is well-balanced, healthy, and happy with
their accomplishments. Consider these seven techniques if you're looking to
raise a child who is well-balanced, healthy, and happy with their
accomplishments.
Encourage Special Skills
Every child has unique gifts and talents. These special attributes can show
up in a traditional school setting, but there are plenty of children who shine
after the final bell has rung for the day. Activities like a mommy-and-me
music class or karate lessons can open their minds, but your wallet doesn't
need to be involved. "Do not underestimate the power of unstructured play,"
says Stiffelman. Playing catch in the yard, dancing in the living room, and
chasing after lightning bugs provide opportunities for intellectual, physical,
and personal development. Stiffelman also suggests finding a hobby or two
for yourself. "Allowing your child to see you trying something new may
inspire them to do the same."
Applaud and Praise Efforts
When it comes to parenting, Sfiffelman suggests praising your child
fortheirhis hard work instead of labeling him as "smart" or "talented." People
with a fixed mind-set are usually reluctant to take on challenges because
they believe their achievements come from innate abilities.
Those with a growth mind-set are usually more willing to face challenges
with hard work because they believe in always learning new skills. "Above
all, keep in mind that the grade is not what motivates a top student to
succeed -- it's their inner drive for learning," adds Borba.
Just because you need complete silence while typing an e-mail or balancing
your checkbook doesn't mean your child needs a noise-free environment
when doing his homework. Harvard researcher Howard Gardner established
eight kinds of intelligences, or ways kids learn best, some that include
musical, logical-mathematical, linguistic, and interpersonal traits. The trick is
to pay attention to how your child learns best so you can identify their
specific learning style. For example, if your school-age child is visual,
consider using flash cards when she's trying to memorize multiplication
tables. If your child falls into the interpersonal intelligence category (that is,
he has people smarts), help him improve his vocabulary by connecting
descriptive words to people like friends, relatives, and historical figures.
Read, Read, Read
When it comes to picking up a book and having story time with your kid,
there is no such thing as starting too early. Reading to preschoolers -- and
keeping books at home -- encourages language development, reading skills,
and future success in school. "Even if your child is still too young to
understand everything you're saying, he will learn to notice the rhythms of
language, which will help him build a listening vocabulary," explains Susan
M. Heim, author of It's Twins! Parent-to-Parent Advice from Infancy
Through Adolescence. In fact, reading to your child has been proven to help
him emotionally: A government-funded study conducted by The Institute of
Education in the United Kingdom found that 5-year-olds who were read to
daily by their parents were less likely to have behavioral problems in school
Eat Dinner Together
Don't worry if cooking isn't your strongest skill -- your child will reap the
educational and emotional rewards from conversation, not chicken
cacciatore. "Informal discussion topics ('How was your day?,' 'What are
you discussing in science?' 'How will you study for that test?') lets your
child know your family values learning," explains Borba. A study conducted
by Columbia University showed that children who eat at least five meals a
week with their families are more likely to achieve higher grades in school
and are less likely to develop an eating disorder. If everyone in your home is
on a different schedule and can't enjoy dinner at the same time, find another
meal (like breakfast or an evening snack) when your family can sit together
and review the day's events.
.
Balance Bedtime
Establishing a bedtime -- and keeping to it every single night -- can be highly
effective, but Borba further suggests turning off the computer and TV at
least 30 minutes beforehand. If your child has access to a cell phone, she
recommends taking it before bedtime because "62 percent of kids admit they
use it after the lights go out -- and their parents are clueless!" In 2005
researchers at Tel Aviv University found that missing just one hour of sleep
can be enough to reduce a child's cognitive abilities by almost two years the
following day. Borba says that a sixth grader who loses precious zzz's the
night before a big test could end up performing at a fourth- grade level
Dole Out Endless Hugs
Giving your child a number of hugs throughout the day will help ease any
feeling of tension. "There's nothing like the human touch to give a child a
sense of security," says Heim. Studies of neglected children have shown
that kids who don't receive affection can suffer from chronic stress, which
can disturb the parts of the brain involved in focusing, learning, and
memory. A study in the American Journal of Public Health, published in
2005, reports that touching another person gently has the power to alleviate
symptoms -- emotional, behavioral, and physical -- related to stress. Not
only will hugging your little one improve her ability to concentrate, it will
also have benefits for you (and make you feel like a million bucks).
Great Homework Internet Sites
Fact Monster - http://www.factmonster.com
Fact Monster offers a handful of tools, like a search able dictionary, word
games, an encyclopedia with more than 7,000 articles, and scores of world
maps Homework Center includes help in geography, history, math,science,
language arts and social studies.
Barleby.com: Great Books Online - http://www.bartleby.com
Site contains a dizzying number of documents from the Complete Works of
William Shakespeare to Roget's Thesaurus to Gray's Anatomy of the Human
Body.
Funbrain - http://www.funbrain.com
Funbrain features a handful of educational but entertaining math games and
exercises for students in kindergarten to grade 12.
Math Central - http://www.mathcentral.uregina.ca
Web site offers mathematical help for students in kindergarten to grade 12.
HyperHistory Online - http://www.hyperhistory.com
HyperHistory Online navigates through 3,000 years of world history with
interactive lifelines, time lines, and maps. The people section reaches from
1000 BC to the present, while the Maps section displays seven periods of
World History with many links to dozens of regional maps.
History Channel http://www.history.com
Based on the American television channel of the same name, the attractive
History Channel web site offers a rich multimedia experience, including a
large collection of video footage, such as the original moon landing and
World War II events. Audio highlights includes hundreds of famous
speeches from the likes of Winston Churchill and Albert Einstein, to James
Dean and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Funology - http://www.funology.com
This hand Web site vows to make science fun Funology features plenty of
science information, games, trivia and other "boredom buster" ideas
(including science-related magic tricks), all presented in a colorful and easy-
to-navigate layout. Don't succumb to that predictable "tornado' or 'volcano"
science fair project? Funology suggest far more interesting experiments,
including ones related to biology,physics, chemistry, and weather.
Cultivate Your Child’s Intelligence
Be sure your home is a place that stimulates the senses – touch, sight, smell,
hearing, and taste. Find toys or play materials with bright colors, unique
textures, interesting sounds and smells. Teach your child colors, numbers,
and letters. Make sure play materials and toys are age appropriate.
Encourage exploration while monitoring safety. Talk to your child often and
in complete sentences.
The key to raising a well-rounded child is to establish a solid support system
at home so that they grows up satisfied with their achievements and
ambitions. "The goal as a parent is to help your child feel competent and
confident, and to help them develop a sense of passion and purpose," says
Susan Stiffelman, MFT, an educational therapist and author of Parenting
Without Power Struggles. It's the education that happens before they set
foot into school that is crucial in bringing up such a child.
"If you want to enhance your child's learning abilities to eventually boost
their academic performance, it will take consistency, dedication, and
patience," says Michele Borba, Ed.D., an advisor for Parents and the author
of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions. Consider these seven techniques if
you're looking to raise a child who is well-balanced, healthy, and happy with
their accomplishments. Consider these seven techniques if you're looking to
raise a child who is well-balanced, healthy, and happy with their
accomplishments.
Encourage Special Skills
Every child has unique gifts and talents. These special attributes can show
up in a traditional school setting, but there are plenty of children who shine
after the final bell has rung for the day. Activities like a mommy-and-me
music class or karate lessons can open their minds, but your wallet doesn't
need to be involved. "Do not underestimate the power of unstructured play,"
says Stiffelman. Playing catch in the yard, dancing in the living room, and
chasing after lightning bugs provide opportunities for intellectual, physical,
and personal development. Stiffelman also suggests finding a hobby or two
for yourself. "Allowing your child to see you trying something new may
inspire them to do the same."
Applaud and Praise Efforts
When it comes to parenting, Sfiffelman suggests praising your child
fortheirhis hard work instead of labeling him as "smart" or "talented." People
with a fixed mind-set are usually reluctant to take on challenges because
they believe their achievements come from innate abilities.
Those with a growth mind-set are usually more willing to face challenges
with hard work because they believe in always learning new skills. "Above
all, keep in mind that the grade is not what motivates a top student to
succeed -- it's their inner drive for learning," adds Borba.
Just because you need complete silence while typing an e-mail or balancing
your checkbook doesn't mean your child needs a noise-free environment
when doing his homework. Harvard researcher Howard Gardner established
eight kinds of intelligences, or ways kids learn best, some that include
musical, logical-mathematical, linguistic, and interpersonal traits. The trick is
to pay attention to how your child learns best so you can identify their
specific learning style. For example, if your school-age child is visual,
consider using flash cards when she's trying to memorize multiplication
tables. If your child falls into the interpersonal intelligence category (that is,
he has people smarts), help him improve his vocabulary by connecting
descriptive words to people like friends, relatives, and historical figures.
Read, Read, Read
When it comes to picking up a book and having story time with your kid,
there is no such thing as starting too early. Reading to preschoolers -- and
keeping books at home -- encourages language development, reading skills,
and future success in school. "Even if your child is still too young to
understand everything you're saying, he will learn to notice the rhythms of
language, which will help him build a listening vocabulary," explains Susan
M. Heim, author of It's Twins! Parent-to-Parent Advice from Infancy
Through Adolescence. In fact, reading to your child has been proven to help
him emotionally: A government-funded study conducted by The Institute of
Education in the United Kingdom found that 5-year-olds who were read to
daily by their parents were less likely to have behavioral problems in school
Eat Dinner Together
Don't worry if cooking isn't your strongest skill -- your child will reap the
educational and emotional rewards from conversation, not chicken
cacciatore. "Informal discussion topics ('How was your day?,' 'What are
you discussing in science?' 'How will you study for that test?') lets your
child know your family values learning," explains Borba. A study conducted
by Columbia University showed that children who eat at least five meals a
week with their families are more likely to achieve higher grades in school
and are less likely to develop an eating disorder. If everyone in your home is
on a different schedule and can't enjoy dinner at the same time, find another
meal (like breakfast or an evening snack) when your family can sit together
and review the day's events.
.
Balance Bedtime
Establishing a bedtime -- and keeping to it every single night -- can be highly
effective, but Borba further suggests turning off the computer and TV at
least 30 minutes beforehand. If your child has access to a cell phone, she
recommends taking it before bedtime because "62 percent of kids admit they
use it after the lights go out -- and their parents are clueless!" In 2005
researchers at Tel Aviv University found that missing just one hour of sleep
can be enough to reduce a child's cognitive abilities by almost two years the
following day. Borba says that a sixth grader who loses precious zzz's the
night before a big test could end up performing at a fourth- grade level
Dole Out Endless Hugs
Giving your child a number of hugs throughout the day will help ease any
feeling of tension. "There's nothing like the human touch to give a child a
sense of security," says Heim. Studies of neglected children have shown
that kids who don't receive affection can suffer from chronic stress, which
can disturb the parts of the brain involved in focusing, learning, and
memory. A study in the American Journal of Public Health, published in
2005, reports that touching another person gently has the power to alleviate
symptoms -- emotional, behavioral, and physical -- related to stress. Not
only will hugging your little one improve her ability to concentrate, it will
also have benefits for you (and make you feel like a million bucks).
Great Homework Internet Sites
Fact Monster - http://www.factmonster.com
Fact Monster offers a handful of tools, like a search able dictionary, word
games, an encyclopedia with more than 7,000 articles, and scores of world
maps Homework Center includes help in geography, history, math,science,
language arts and social studies.
Barleby.com: Great Books Online - http://www.bartleby.com
Site contains a dizzying number of documents from the Complete Works of
William Shakespeare to Roget's Thesaurus to Gray's Anatomy of the Human
Body.
Funbrain - http://www.funbrain.com
Funbrain features a handful of educational but entertaining math games and
exercises for students in kindergarten to grade 12.
Math Central - http://www.mathcentral.uregina.ca
Web site offers mathematical help for students in kindergarten to grade 12.
HyperHistory Online - http://www.hyperhistory.com
HyperHistory Online navigates through 3,000 years of world history with
interactive lifelines, time lines, and maps. The people section reaches from
1000 BC to the present, while the Maps section displays seven periods of
World History with many links to dozens of regional maps.
History Channel http://www.history.com
Based on the American television channel of the same name, the attractive
History Channel web site offers a rich multimedia experience, including a
large collection of video footage, such as the original moon landing and
World War II events. Audio highlights includes hundreds of famous
speeches from the likes of Winston Churchill and Albert Einstein, to James
Dean and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Funology - http://www.funology.com
This hand Web site vows to make science fun Funology features plenty of
science information, games, trivia and other "boredom buster" ideas
(including science-related magic tricks), all presented in a colorful and easy-
to-navigate layout. Don't succumb to that predictable "tornado' or 'volcano"
science fair project? Funology suggest far more interesting experiments,
including ones related to biology,physics, chemistry, and weather.
Cultivate Your Child’s Intelligence
Be sure your home is a place that stimulates the senses – touch, sight, smell,
hearing, and taste. Find toys or play materials with bright colors, unique
textures, interesting sounds and smells. Teach your child colors, numbers,
and letters. Make sure play materials and toys are age appropriate.
Encourage exploration while monitoring safety. Talk to your child often and
in complete sentences.
