How to Set Boundaries that Support Our Children’s Growth!

It is the start of a new school year and we are busy trying to help our children organize themselves for success. The warm autumn days beckon our children to play outside until the family dinner. After dinner, there are new television shows to watch. Our children want to play with their toys, look at books, and play on the family computer, phone, or tablet.

Setting Boundaries Ideas

Many parents ask us how we can set household boundaries and rules to curtail these distractions and complete homework and prepare for a new school day without arguments and negotiations. We recently asked family members for their best suggestions on setting boundaries. Summarized below are some great tips:

1. Plan ahead for distractions with a weekly evening schedule that defines the time for afterschool play, eating dinner with the family, completing homework, independent reading, discussing the day with parents, getting ready for bed, and preparing for the next school day.
2. Identify an alternative schedule when there are special events at school, dentist or doctor appointments, sporting events, and family obligations on a school night.
3. Work with the school to plan ahead for homework assignment completion. Most schools send out homework packs once a week for students with their parents support to complete within several days. Other schools provide an afterschool homework club that you can have your child attend for added support. Other parents plan homework sessions with friends where children can rotate their homework assignments at different households to enlist the support of an expert parent in reading, writing, arithmetic, history, performing arts, and science projects.
4. When children fight with others and siblings, it is important to be clear about household rules with consequences for misbehavior. When siblings hit or hurt each other, they should be removed from a situation and sit with a reflective timeout. Typically, a timeout is a minute per age. For example, a five-year old’s timeout will be for five minutes. After the timeout, discuss with the child what has happened and have them make amends with the sibling or other child.
5. If children continue to misbehave, they may need to return home or stay away for others as they are probably tired, overstimulated, or upset about a situation.
6. Limit screen time to no more than an hour a day unless it includes homework assignments. It is important to give your children time to relax and play outside.
7. Keep your children on a regular meal time and sleep schedule to ensure that they are well rested and ready to learn and enjoy life.
8. Schedule regular times that your child can play with neighborhood and class friends even if it includes scheduled afterschool activities. This ensures that your child has a support system.
9. Be there for your child when they are under stress or are sad and support their problem-solving skills.
10. Be a role model of personal healthy growth and development.

Happy first weeks of personal growth during the new school year!

Joyce

Copyright (c) 2018 by GenParenting

Career Explorations for Our Children 

Throughout life, children aspire to become many different things when they grow up. One child may want to become a sanitation worker and recycle truck driver. Others dream of becoming a fireman, police woman, or teacher. From an early age, we can encourage our children to learn more about different types of careers and jobs by:

• Taking our children to our jobs afterschool, in the evening, or on weekends
• Encouraging our children to help us with various aspects of our job (i.e. sort different assignments for teachers, organize the trash and recyclables for the garbage collection and recycle centers, and conduct household fire safety checks)
• Helping our children learn how to pursue specific career explorations through research, participation in early college courses, and engaging in relevant work experiences

Elementary children typically explore careers by starting small businesses and playing pretend games. Some children like to create lemonade stands to sell baked goods and refreshments. Another child may sell art creations and another may organize garage sales for selling old toys and household items. When children organize small business activities, they learn what it takes to plan for a business venture, how to manage money throughout the process, and how to conduct business with various family members and the public.

As our children enter the middle school years, they can start participating in summer internships that may include:

• Working in a summer camp for kids, at community service or and church events, and at performing arts events
• Enrolling in certificate and career exploration programs for preteens offered through parks and recreation programs (i.e. babysitting certification, CPR, cooking and sewing classes, sports classes, and performing arts classes)
• Participating in youth groups and clubs that explore careers in STEAM types of activities, makers fairs, and STEM competitions

As our children enter their high school years, that can expand their career exploration activities by:

• Securing paid internships and jobs in their areas of interest
• Participating in community service events as an intern, youth leader, or paid employee
• Enrolling in early learning college courses to explore career options and complete undergraduate course requirements for career preparation to accelerate learning and reduce the time and expense required for a bachelor’s degree

We can encourage our children to compete a resume each year that focuses on their immediate interests, experiences, and possible career goals. An appropriate resume for middle school students might include the following information:

Sample Resume Template

My Resume (What is your name?) _____________________________________

Job Title (What do you want to do?) ____________________________________

Qualifications (What is your experience with this type of work?)

1. _____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________

Accomplishments and Awards (What are awards or activities that you do well?)

1. _____________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________

Hobbies (How do you like to spend your time?)

1. _____________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________

Job References (Who can we contact to talk about your experience with the job?)

1. ______________________________ ____________________________

 

High school students can expand their resumes by including a career goal, identifying college course requirements, and including significant volunteer or paid working experiences for a specific career per the sample resume below:

Sample Resume

Edward Smith Ayala                                                                              

Phone Number: (818) 665-0085                                                         

Email: smith@gmail.com           

Career Goal

Bio Engineering

Marine Biology

Bio Chemistry

Honors and Awards

Presidential Award Recipient

Honor Roll (9^th, 10^th, and 11^th grades)

GPA: 4.3  (Weighted)

Community Activities

Congressional Summer Intern, June 2016-August 2016, The Office of Tony Cardenas, Congressman, 29^th District, Arleta, CA

• Duties included but were not limited to working with district staff in the following areas of constituent services: casework, and correspondence; grants funding; environmental science research; outreach and event staffing; general office support.

Teen Convention Vice-Chairman, June 2015-January 2016, Recovery Teen Convention, Woodland Hills, CA

• Co-Managed a committee of 15 teens to oversee and run all convention details for 100 teens, including, monthly and bi-monthly meeting reminders and announcements, oversaw sub-committee selections, developed the program agenda, organized fundraisers, and selected program speakers.

Interpreter, August 2015, Christ Church of the Valley, Tacna, Peru

• Translated (Spanish) for the Peru Summer Mission’s Team
• Provided educational & tutoring support for students in the Semillas After School Program
• Provided weekly groceries to the Tacna Community and supported work crews to replace roofing, paint, and resurface church flooring.

Assistant Martial Arts Instructor, October 2011- October 2015, Ken Nagayama Martial Arts, Burbank, CA

• Assisted teaching in the Kinder Karate Program and learned to reach each student by adjusting my teaching style to better meet their needs
• Taught students of all ages and levels for 2 hours a week for 4 years

Volunteer Election Campaign Worker, September 2012- March 2015, Monica Garcia for LAUSD Board Los Angeles, CA

• Helped to register voters
• Supported bilingual phone banking teams

Volunteer Election Campaign Worker, September 2014- March 2015, Ref Rodriguez for LAUSD Board Los Angeles, CA

• Educated students and school staff members, through student assemblies and faculty meetings, about each candidate’s election platform and supported the GOTV campaign

Work Experiences/Internships

Dance Coach, January 2016- Present, YPI Valley Public Charter High School, Pacoima, CA

• Established and developed after school dance club for the new early college high school for 4 hours a week (6 hours a day during school recess)
• Designs daily lesson plans, provides mentoring and tutoring for the students in the program

Interests

• Cheerleading-BCCS, CCECHS, All Star Athletics, and Cali- All Star (4 years)
• Dance- Granada and Champs (4 years)
• Acting/Performing Arts- Golden Theater (3 years)
• Leadership-Student Government (2 years)
• Acting/Performing Arts- Children’s Theatre Experience (4 years)
• Martial Arts-Ken Nagayama Martial Arts (12 years)

 

As students become aviators in their career explorations, they will be able to understand and articulate clearly what they need to achieve a specific career path. This clarity can guide them to successfully complete all necessary skills and requirements for career success. These experiences can also support students’ interpersonal communication skills and leadership development.

Much success in supporting your children’s career explorations!

Yvette

Copyright © 2018 by GenParenting

Nature Walk

The dew drops were still glistening on the leaves as my grandnephew and I began our nature walk one early morning in Edgewood Park. We decided to take a trail through a wooded area that led uphill to a grassy meadow and beautiful rolling hills.

Learning about Wildlife

My six-year-old companion was very curious as we came to each kiosk situated along the trail. He asked me to read about the plant or animal described along with its photo. We would look for the plants depicted as we continued on the  trail. Eventually he began to recognize and name the ferns, moss, lichen, and the various shrubs and trees we saw.

My grandnephew was also excited to know about the animals and insects that surrounded us. We read about the deer, raccoons, and other small animals we might see in the forest, as well as the snakes we might see in the grasslands. We talked about how the park had many habitats for many plants and animals. This was their home. We needed to be respectful of them as we visited this beautiful park.

Nature Walks Can Happen Everywhere

I’ve taken nature walks with my children and grandchildren in many settings. A neighborhood walk can turn into a nature walk as well as a walk to the local park. Plant and animal habitats surround us in front yards, in trees along the route, and in our neighborhood parks. Children can explore the habitats of plants, insects and birds in any of these settings. We expand the world for our children as they realize that plant and animal habitats surround us, whether we are near or far away from home.

Enjoy nature with your little ones, every chance you get.

With love and affection,

Rosemarie

Copyright © 2018 by GenParenting

Heroes Among Us Reading Activity

Looking to find an inspiring hero? You can always find a hero in a good book! Within its captivating pages, read about the life of someone who overcame obstacles, or fought for their rights, or had the integrity to do the right thing even though they may be the odd one out. Consider some of these stories or suggest some of your favorites in the comments below.

Suggested stories or books on “heroes” may include:

For all ages The Mighty Sequoia, a poem by Jaime Koo Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Maker’s Strike of 1909 Tasty Baby Belly Buttons More Than Anything Else

For Grades K-3 Abe’s Honest Words Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez Superhero School I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsberg Makes Her Mark

For Grades 4 and Up 12 Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali  I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World  (Youth) Wonder

After reading the poem or any of the books listed above, you can answer the comprehension questions and submit a comment to GenParenting.com comments.

The Mighty Sequoia

By Jaime Koo

 

Come, my daughter. Come and hear.

Your mother’s mother, the mighty sequoia

Has a story of grandeur supremely clear.

 

Winds howled, rain poured, lightning struck severe.

Against all odds and likelihood of survival, she flourished.

Her will to grow and to give life, nature would never interfere.

 

Come, my Son. come, my dear.

Your father’s father, the mighty sequoia

Has a story of gentleness most sincere.

 

Broken spirits found strength in his listening ear.

Under his bountiful branches, he bestowed solace and shelter.

His compassionate, comfortable breeze wiped away each tear.

 

Come, my child, come never fear.

You are the mighty sequoia

A hero with the grit to persevere.

 

Now and again, the trial of a great fire will come near.

Smoke will blur your vision, flames will threaten to devour.

Stand tall. You are much stronger than you appear.

 

Come, my child, come never fear.

In the face of adversity,

In the spirit of the people,

In the fury of the fire,

You are the legacy of the mighty sequoia,

A hero with the grit to persevere.

 

Ask your children the following questions after reading the poem or another selected book:

• Did you enjoy this story? Why or why not?
• What was the difficulty that the main character was facing? How would you have reacted in that situation?
• Imagine how this story might be different if it were set in a different culture or time?
• Do you know anyone in real life who reminds you of a character in this story?
• What are some character traits that you like about the main character in the story? What did they do to demonstrate that trait?
• What are some things you can do this week to help others?
• Does this story remind you of any other stories you’ve read? What is similar?

Listed below are relevant California Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy that support elementary school learners:

• Kindergarten – With prompting and support, compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in familiar stories.
• Grade 1 – Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
• Grade 2 – Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
• Grade 3 – Describe characters in a story (e.g. their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
• Grade 4 – Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
• Grade 5 – Compare and contrast stories in the same genre on their approaches to similar themes and topics.

 

Heroes Among Us Family Activities for Preschool and Elementary School

The summer season is a wonderful time for many families to catch a great family-oriented movie, share popcorn together, and bond over some quality time. Watch a new release at a movie theatre, or view an all-time favorite in the comfort of your own home. Go have some fun!

Current Family-Friendly Movie:

Incredibles 2, rated PG

 

Other Current Movies

(may be better suited for older elementary students):

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Teen Titans Go! To the Movies

 

All-time Family Movie Favorites, all rated PG:

The LEGO movie

Ferdinand

The Sandlot

Despicable Me

Kung-Fu Panda

Materials

• Movies on the “hero” theme.
• Stories or books on the “hero” theme.
• Public service officer vehicles (ambulance, police car, fire truck, etc.)
• Play house or doll house
• Stuffed animals or other plush toys
• Small figurines (Calico Corner figures, Lego characters, etc.)

Activities

1. For families with young pre-school aged children, read a story on the theme “Heroes Among Us” and use toys (vehicles, doll houses, stuffed animals, figurines, etc.) to role-play a “hero” story.
   • Who is the hero?
   • Who needs help?
   • Where does the action take place?
   • What is the problem?
   • Is the hero willing or reluctant to help? Why?
   • What can the hero do to help?
   • What obstacles are in the way?
   • How does the problem get resolved?
2. For families with older children, read a story on the theme “Heroes Among Us,” and watch a movie with the “Hero” theme. Here are some follow-up activities you can do together:
   • Families can compare the hero in the book with the hero in the movie. Host a friendly debate during dinner and choose the better hero.
     • Which hero had the greater impact?
     • How do you measure that impact?
     • Does your hero have a character flaw or physical disability?
     • Which hero had to overcome more difficult, external challenges?
     • Which hero had to conquer more difficult, internal challenges?

3. Families can research and find another book or movie about a hero to recommend to others.

4. Family members can each recognize and thank a “Local hero.” Acknowledge someone in the family        for their attributes or someone in the community for their contributions to the community.

5. Families can write a thank you card, present home-grown flowers, or bring homemade cookies for       their favorite family member or local hero.

Common Core Standards

Listed below are relevant California Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy that support elementary school learners:

• Kindergarten – With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.
• Grade 1 – Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
• Grade 2 – Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
• Grade 3 – Describe characters in a story (e.g. their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
• Grade 4 – Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
• Grade 5 – Compare and contrast stories in the same genre on their approaches to similar themes and topics.