GenParenting

Parenting resources for all who love and care for children

Why Does My Child Need Assessments?

Why Does My Child Need Assessments?

Springtime on any school campus brings a schedule jam-packed with activities, events, celebrations, and, everyone’s favorite, standardized testing. Right at the time when students can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel, they are hit from left and right with test after test, and assessment after assessment. Some forms of standardized testing start early, even in Kindergarten or first grade. My daughter is only in first grade, and at our last parent-teacher conference, we were shown almost 2 years worth of diagnostic and assessment data about her performance. [Read more…]

Embracing Spring Rain: Strategies to Get Kids Outdoors

Embracing Spring Rain: Strategies to Get Kids Outdoors

For my 40th birthday, I was surprised with a trip to Vancouver. As I packed my bags, I was told to bring rain gear—there was no way my family was going to let me stay inside just because of a little rain. I was there to explore, not to hide indoors. The same is true for kids in the spring. Just because it’s rainy or chilly doesn’t mean outdoor play has to stop!

Everyone needs outdoor time, no matter the forecast. In many schools, rainy days mean canceled recess, and that lack of movement can lead to restlessness and frustration. Getting outside, even in less-than-ideal weather, helps with attention, sensory processing, and emotional regulation.

The truth is, outdoor play is just as important in spring as in any other season. Movement helps kids regulate their bodies, develop motor skills, and improve focus. Plus, time spent in nature is proven to reduce stress and boost mood. [Read more…]

Homework Can Be a Game Changer!

Homework Can Be a Game Changer!

After 40 years of teaching, parenting, and now grandparenting, I have helped hundreds of kids and supported countless parents with homework challenges. Some students love to get their homework done and demand instant help from parents regardless of the family’s schedule. Others race through their assignments and will write down any answer just to get rid of the assignment so they can pursue fun activities. And then there are the anxious students who are overwhelmed with many assignments and need lots of encouragement and help. The problem is most parents are not equipped to help their children adequately at home because of time, knowledge, or having to deal with difficult panic behaviors with their children. So, what can a parent do to make this task more enjoyable for all? [Read more…]

I Am Part Horse!

I Am Part Horse! By Mary Ann Burke

INTRODUCTION: GenParenting bloggers will periodically feature select children’s stories with educational and social-emotional growth themes. I Am Part Horse was written to support second grade learners. Students will complete rattlesnake science projects and research online informational text to write a rattlesnake report.

Yikes! My Snake Bite!

On a hot summer night, I felt a harsh stinging bite on my foot while walking on my front porch. Jumping up and down and crying in pain, I screamed, “SNAAAKE!”

My dad came running. “Stop jumping around, Nellie! Try to stay calm so the poison will not spread in your body.”

We anxiously watched as the tan, diamond-patterned, 18-inch baby rattlesnake slithered off the front porch and dropped into the garden below.

When Dad phoned 911, the dispatcher ordered, “Have your daughter sit quietly until the fire department and ambulance arrive at your home to transport her to the hospital.”

As my dad cuddled me while waiting for the ambulance, I cried, “Dad, my foot hurts and it is burning. My mouth feels prickly. When I try to breathe, my chest aches.”

When the paramedics arrived, my foot had swollen to the size of a balloon! They carried me out of my house on a stretcher and placed in the ambulance. By the time we were on the way to the hospital with sirens blaring, I felt even worse!

I Become Part Horse!                                                                 

At the hospital, my doctor explained, “We have ordered antivenom medicine to make you feel better. I will give you a painkiller shot that will make you drowsy and help with the pain.”

The next thing I remembered, I was confused and my head felt heavy. Dad was sitting by my bed. “What happened? Where am I?”

Dad hugged and reassured me, “You were asleep for a full day. Your doctor stayed with you all night. He will continue to check on you today. The doctor had to order medicine from another hospital. This medicine was an antidote to fight the venom in your body. It was made from the blood taken from a horse.”

“What! I cannot believe that I now have part of the blood of a horse in my body. I am having so much trouble moving my leg!”

Dad explained, “Nellie, I will take you to physical therapy so you can learn how to walk again. The snake venom in your body causes nerve damage. Your doctor can fix the nerve damage. You are going to get better!”

I Hobbled Back to School!

After a couple of weeks of resting my injured foot, I hobbled back to school. As I entered my classroom, Sophia hugged me and exclaimed, “Where have you been? What happened to you?”

Before I could answer, Manuel patted me on the back. “Yo! It’s not fun without your silly jokes, Nellie!”

Then I proudly explained to my class, “I was bitten by a rattlesnake. My medicine to fight the poison was made from horse blood. Now I am part horse!”

“Whoa Nellie! What are you saying?” exclaimed Sophia and Manuel as they looked at me in shock and wonder.

Our teacher, Mrs. Hecklebee, quickly reassured us, “Learning about snake bites and antivenom medicines would be a great project for our second-grade class. Rattlesnakes are not a problem for most kids. But they are a big deal for us because we live near lots of rattlesnakes. We can learn how to protect ourselves from snake bites when playing outside.”

What is Antivenom Medicine?

Mrs. Hecklebee read us a story about rattlesnake bites and explained, “Antivenom is a medicine that is made to kill the rattlesnake’s poison in a person’s body. It is made by injecting small doses of venom into an animal over time. The animal is not hurt. When the venom is mixed in the animal’s body, the animal’s body will produce antibodies. These antibodies are made to destroy the venom. They are collected from the blood of the animal and are used as the medicine to help people get better from a rattlesnake bite.”

I added, “Sheep, goats, donkeys, and rabbits are some of the animals that are used to make this medicine. My antibodies were made from the blood of a horse. That is the way I became part horse!”

Lilia shockingly looked at me and exclaimed, “Are you going to start walking like a horse when your foot is better?”

“NEEEIGH! And I am being taught how to gallop in my physical therapy sessions as I learn to walk again.”

SIDEBAR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:

Think about the different animals that are used to make antibodies for rattlesnake bites. Then complete the following activities:

  • Draw a picture of one of the animals that help make the antivenom serum.
  • Write a sentence or report describing how the antivenom is made in the animal for medicine.

How Can We Protect Ourselves From Snake Bites?

We each shared our picture of an animal that could be used to make antivenom. Gerald drew a picture of a donkey and Lilia created a picture of a sheep getting a shot of venom from a rattlesnake. I drew a picture of a horse and named him Lucky because I am lucky to be alive and well.

Mrs. Hecklebee stated, “Rattlesnakes and other venomous snakes do not bite unless they are afraid they will be hurt by a person or large animal.”

She read a story about how to stay safe from being bitten by a rattlesnake or other venomous snakes. I learned most bites happen when people accidentally touch the snake with their foot while hiking or with their hand while gardening. We also brainstormed what we could do to avoid a venomous snake bite.

Sophia said, “My mom rakes the weeds in her garden before she starts pulling them with her hands to scare off any rattlesnakes.”

Manuel stated, “My dad and I love to go hiking in the woods and look carefully for snakes.”

I explained, “My dad now sweeps the leaves off the front porch even in the summer in case there is a rattlesnake.”

SIDEBAR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:

Talk to your parents about how to make your home safe from poisonous snakes and brainstorm safety rules for your home:

  • Write one rule to keep your home safe from poisonous snakes.
  • Draw a picture of you and your family using that rule at your home.

We shared our homework assignments with our classmates. Jasmine explained, “My mom was bitten by a rattlesnake when she was a little girl. She does not know what kind of medicine was given to her to make her better. She was very happy when I told her that we were learning how to stay safe from rattlesnake bites. Her suggestion was to respect the snake. Give it the space it needs to escape and observe the beauty of the snake after it returns to its home in nature.”

I love to hike, but I am careful and respect the beauty of all creatures in the forest. I will always love horses because they are beautiful animals that help save people’s lives.

Bibliography

Burton, J. A. (1998). The book of snakes. Edison, NJ: Chartwell Books.

Dussling, J. (1998). Slinky, scaly snakes! New York, NY: DK Publishing, Inc.

Ellis, E. (biologist personal communication, January 14, 2023).

Gentry, D. (biologist personal communication, January 11, 2023).

Kimura, S. (biologist personal communication, January 14, 2023).

Jackson, T. (2001). Nature’s children. Danbury, CT: Grolier Educational.

Julivert, A. (1993). The fascinating world of snakes. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational

Series, Inc.

Llewellyn, C. (1997). I didn’t know that some snakes spit poison and other amazing facts about       

   snakes. Brookfield, CT: Copper Beech Books.

Main, D. (2011, July 12). Popular Mechanics [Blog]. Retrieved November 18, 2022 from

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/g561/hpw-to-make-antivenom-why-the-world-is-running-out/.

Markle, S. (1995). Outside and inside snakes. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children’s

Book Publishing Division.

McCarthy, C. (1993). Poisonous snakes. New York, NY: Shooting Star Press Inc.

Montgomery, S. (1999). The snake scientist. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Norwich, G. (2011). Snake-A-Phobia. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

O’Hare, T. (2005). Rattlesnakes.Vero Beach, FL: Rourke Publishing LLC.

Parsons, A. (1990). Amazing snakes. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.

Pringle, L. (2004). Snakes! Strange and wonderful. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mill Press, Inc.

Reinhart, B. (molecular biologist personal communication, February 17, 2023).

Richardson, A. (2003). Rattlesnakes. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

University of Melbourne (n.d.) What is antivenom? Retrieved November 21, 2022 from

https://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/departments/department-of-biochemistry-and-pharmacology/engage/avru/discover/what-is-antivenom.

Venn, C. (2002). Rattlers and other snakes. Chicago, IL: World Book, Inc.

 

 

Summertime Social-Emotional Learning Routines

Summertime Social-Emotional Learning Routines

As the summer sun calls and school doors close, parents, you have the perfect opportunity to focus on nurturing your child’s social skills in the comfort of home. Social skills are essential for navigating the complexities of human interaction, fostering meaningful relationships, and thriving in various social settings. In this blog post, I’ll explore practical and engaging ways you can cultivate social skills in your child during the summer break.

Encourage Playdates and Social Interaction:

  • Arrange playdates with friends, neighbors, or classmates to provide opportunities for social interaction.
  • Create a conducive environment for play by offering toys, games, and activities that encourage cooperation and communication.
  • Supervise play sessions and intervene when necessary to teach conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.

Model Positive Social Behaviors:

  • Be a role model for your child by demonstrating kindness, empathy, and respect in your interactions with others.
  • Use everyday situations as teaching moments to illustrate social norms, such as taking turns, sharing, and listening attentively.
  • Provide verbal praise and reinforcement when your child exhibits positive social behaviors.

Practice Active Listening:

  • Teach your child the importance of active listening by maintaining eye contact, nodding, and responding appropriately during conversations.
  • Engage in active listening exercises where you and your child take turns sharing stories or experiences, demonstrating empathy and understanding.

Promote Emotional Awareness:

  • Help your child identify and label their emotions using simple language (e.g., happy, sad, angry).
  • Encourage open communication about feelings and emotions, validating your child’s experiences and providing support when needed.
  • Use books, videos, or visual aids to explore different emotions and discuss how to cope with them in healthy ways.

Role-Play Social Scenarios:

  • Role-play common social situations with your child, such as introducing themselves to new friends, asking for help, or resolving conflicts.
  • Take on different roles and encourage your child to practice appropriate responses and problem-solving strategies.
  • Provide feedback and positive reinforcement to reinforce desired behaviors.

Engage in Cooperative Activities:

  • Participate in cooperative activities that require teamwork and collaboration, such as cooking, gardening, or building a fort.
  • Emphasize the importance of working together, sharing responsibilities, and respecting each other’s ideas and contributions.
  • Reflect on the experience afterward, discussing what went well and how each person contributed to the task.

Explore Social Stories and Role Models:

  • Read social stories or watch videos featuring characters who demonstrate positive social skills and behaviors.
  • Discuss the lessons learned from these stories and how they apply to real-life situations.
  • Encourage your child to emulate positive role models and incorporate their behaviors into their own interactions

Celebrate Social Successes:

  • Celebrate your child’s social successes, no matter how small, to reinforce their confidence and motivation.
  • Keep a journal or visual chart to track progress and acknowledge achievements along the way.
  • Encourage a growth mindset by emphasizing effort, perseverance, and continuous improvement in social skills.

Summer is the perfect time for you to focus on nurturing your child’s social skills in a supportive and enriching home environment. By incorporating these practical strategies into everyday activities, you can help preschool and elementary-aged children develop the social competence they need to thrive in school, relationships, and life. Remember, building social skills is a journey that requires patience, consistency, and encouragement, but the rewards are immeasurable.