Encouraging Your Child’s Interests
From a very young age, children demonstrate different interests. As parents and grandparents we can encourage their interests in several ways. We can follow our children’s lead choosing our time and the activities we do together. We can set up an environment that encourages free play and exploration. We can introduce our children to a wide array of resources such as libraries, museums, parks or books, the internet or field trips. [Read more…]
Karen Salzer has over thirty years’ experience as a resource teacher in the Palo Alto public schools. She earned a doctorate in education from Stanford University. Her areas of expertise involve working with culturally diverse students with special needs including autism, emotional disturbances, learning disabilities, and health issues. As a special educator, Ms. Salzer served as a liaison between parents of special needs students and school staff. She guided parents and staff in identifying an appropriate education for each student in the public school setting. Additionally, she aided students and parents in navigating the educational requirements for graduation, test-taking and in finding support services within the community. Through her leadership, Ms. Salzer encouraged collaborative problem-solving between parents and school staff – such as accommodations for test taking, extended time and use of technology. She loves to follow-up with her students when they become adults and to highlight their many successes in education and careers. Ms. Salzer uses these success testimonials to reassure parents of other children and to encourage them to help their children pursue their full potential. Ms. Salzer is the mother of four adult children and helps care for her five grandchildren
Joey just came home from school. He was crying that he no longer wanted to go to kindergarten because he did not have friends. Joey complained that the teacher put him into timeout again for disrupting the class. He suddenly had a stomach ache. Mom was beside herself. This was not the first time that Joey complained. It was becoming a weekly and sometimes a daily event. 
IEP (Individualized Education Program) and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Parent Teacher Collaboration
How can parents comfort their children in times of trouble, when they themselves feel uncertain? How can they provide security, when they feel insecure?
It is difficult when we see our children struggling in school. They could be struggling academically, socially or in their relationships with their teachers. This month I will explore the idea of advocating for our children in school. Each week, we will focus on an aspect of advocacy. If you have a story about how you have advocated for your child, please share your experience. We are all comforted by knowing we are not the only ones facing problems at school with our children, and we are enriched by knowing that these problems have solutions.