Elementary English
Monday, March 2, 2020
Take care of yourself so you can care for your child
Working parents are experts at juggling the demands of jobs and families. But to be the best help to your child, you must meet your own needs, too. Think of ways you can preserve your energy. You might relax for 15 minutes with a book or pursue a hobby. Getting enough sleep and regular exercise helps, too. And try to stay in touch with friends who can give you a listening ear when you need it.
http://niswc.com/16cBC312892
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
The COPS checklist helps kids catch writing errors
Before your child hands in a writing assignment, help him use the COPS checklist to proofread it. C is for capitalization. Does every sentence start with a capital letter? Are all the proper names capitalized? O is for overall appearance. Is the paper neat and easy to read? P is for punctuation. Are the sentences punctuated correctly? S is for spelling. Has your child checked any word he's unsure of in a dictionary?
http://niswc.com/16cCC312892
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Use a take-home folder for papers on the go
Schools send lots of papers home with students. To make sure you see everything, have your child use a two-pocket take-home folder. At school, she should load papers that she needs take home into the left-hand pocket. At home, set aside a daily time to look through the folder. Then, have your child put completed homework and other papers that must go back to school in the right-hand pocket.
http://niswc.com/16cDC312892
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Try a silent solution to encourage tidy habits
Help your child learn that completing a task includes cleaning up afterward. If his messes get out of hand, announce that you are expecting a visit from the silent custodian. Your child should prepare by tidying up. Whatever isn't picked up by a time you set goes into a box marked "silent custodian." In order to get an item back, your child must complete a chore of your choice.
http://niswc.com/16cEC312892
Friday, March 6, 2020
When you don't know the answer, help your child find out
Parents sometimes worry that their children won't respect them if they don't have all the answers. But kids respect parents more when they admit they don't know and say, "Let's find out." You don't have to answer your child's questions immediately, either. If she asks a difficult question when you are too busy to answer, say, "That's a good question. I'd like to think about it and get back to you at dinner." Then do.
http://niswc.com/16cFC312892
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Build family closeness with Show and Tell
Show and Tell isn't just for school. It's also a great way to encourage family conversations at home. Pick a night and choose a theme. Good topics include "something I'm proud of," "something I've made" and "one of my favorite memories." Have family members take turns showing and telling. Your child will get a safe opportunity to practice public speaking, and you'll all learn more about one another.
http://niswc.com/16cGC312892
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Take time to celebrate small successes
Children's lives are so busy, it is easy for them to move from one project to the next without stopping to savor the good feeling that comes from a job well done. Help your child take pride in his accomplishments. If he makes a snack, say "It's good to enjoy what you've made, isn't it?" Display his art where others can see it. And set an example by letting him see you stop and enjoy your own successes.
http://niswc.com/16cHC312892
|