GenParenting

Parenting resources for all who love and care for children

How We Can Support Our Children’s School Success

How We Can Support Our Children’s School Success

At this time of year, we become overwhelmed with our children’s busy school schedules and the increasing demands for homework projects. For example, our children must complete research writing assignments, complex math problems, and science fair projects. Summarized below are ten effective strategies for helping you balance your children’s daily lives:

  1. Teach your children how to be responsible.
  2. Nurture independence.
  3. Model resilience and conflict resolution.
  4. Guide your children’s spiritual and moral development.
  5. Schedule physical fitness and enrichment activities.
  6. Encourage healthy eating habits.
  7. Manage allowances.
  8. Support career exploration.
  9. Organize family activities, play dates, sporting events, and vacations.
  10. Convene family meetings.

[Read more…]

Get Ready for School with Siblings, Twins, and Multiples

Get Ready for School with Siblings, Twins, and Multiples 

Each summer families are busily preparing for the new school year for their children. Various rites of passage include:

  • Having your children complete summer homework assignments to submit to teachers on the first day of school
  • Completing all new school year registration forms
  • Taking your children to the doctor to complete any physicals and immunizations
  • Visiting the school to locate the grade level classroom and learn more about the newly assigned teacher
  • Going shopping for school supplies
  • Taking your children shopping for some new school clothes

[Read more…]

How to Overcome Temper Tantrums and Moody Days!

How to Overcome Temper Tantrums and Moody Days!

We’ve all had those days. You know, the days where you wake up to the spring bird’s love song, the sun lightly kissing your face. With your morning cup of coffee in hand, you delight in seeing the dew on the flower petals. It’s peaceful. And calm.

And then you hear it. [Read more…]

Teaching Children to Give

Teaching Children to Give

 

The holidays are upon us. During this time we place a lot of attention on giving our kids what they want. Children are often focused on making sure the adults in their lives know what they want as gifts. The media is full of ideas of the latest and greatest toy or technological wonder that is a “must have” for the holiday season.

This time is also a time of charitable giving. We are aware of those families and individuals who are in need. Charitable organizations and  caring individuals go through great efforts to see to the needs of people who are having difficulty providing for themselves and their families.

During this time of giving, we have an opportunity to teach our children the importance of giving. [Read more…]

5 Things Parents Should Know About Assessment

5 Things Parents Should Know About Assessments

1. Tests and Assessments Are Not the Same

A test examines a student’s knowledge, understanding, and skills to determine what level of learning has been reached. It generally results in a numerical or letter grade.

Assessments involves gathering, analyzing, and responding to a student’s strengths and misconceptions about their learning. It includes feedback to the learner and also informs the teacher’s practice.

An analogy would be your BMI that provides a number but not a health analysis or fitness plan. Sometimes we need a test and sometimes learning requires assessment. [Read more…]