How To Get The Best Education Possible: Tip #6

All of the tips I have given you for "Getting The Best Education Possible" are hopefully things everyone can do with little or no resources.  It may take making your child's education a priority and "time", but it  will pay off in the end for your child. 

Tip #6: Make sure you make every conference.

Schools usually will have a conferences for parents every grading period.  These conferences are very important and you should attend or send someone you trust in your place.  This is the time you can find out where your child is academically and get questions answered on find out information on how you can help him/her.  You also can get advice how to handle certain situations.  Take advantage of the professionals in the building.  I only hope you trust and have confidence in the administration, faculty, and staff, because they can assist you with many of your questions.  Make sure the school is aware of any medications, allergies, or medical problems your child may have.  If you or your family is going through a rough time, meeting with the school counselor and they can help look for any changes in your child's academic performance of behavior.  Having a positive working relationship with everyone at the school is important.  But the school will always want to see you doing your part to help your child.

How To Get The Best Education Possible: Tip #5

In order to have a successful school year you, your child, and the school must work together as positive "partners".  School conferences, functions, and meetings can be intimidating if you don't understand everything that is going on.  This brings us to Tip #5,

Tip #5 Get Involved

Getting involved in your child's school doesn't take being there 2 to 3 hours everyday.  As a matter of fact, simply joining the PTA and attending their meetings will give you valuable information about the objectives of the school year and things you can do to help.  Volunteer where you feel comfortable.    If there is a fund raiser, try to sell as many items as possible.  All the funds should go toward enhancing every child's education at the school.  If you can be a "reading buddy" for a child or tutor a child in math.   This should be a rewarding experience for both of you and the child.  If you work everyday, ask the teacher if there is something you can do at home (examples: make activities for centers,staple packets,  help with bulletin boards, copy assignments for the class, organize papers or group assignments, color or paint objects, etc.). Just being visible and helpful at your child's school truly helps your child.

Healthy Living...From Fruits to Nuts

According to an article in the November 2009 issue of Disney Family Fun magazine eating fruits and nuts can be fun and healthy treats.  Below are 2 suggestions:
1. Fruits: Studies from the University of Illinois and Cornell University suggest a mix of fruits (or vegetables) delivers more disease-fighting antioxidants than the same amounts of those foods eaten separately.  Why?  Researchers think the fruit works in synergy to bring out the best in one another.  To inspire your kids to eat mixed fruit make it fun an attractive.  Let them help you cut it up with a butter knife and arrange it in creative ways they make up themselves.

2. Nuts:  Want to encourage healthier snacking ?  Instead of a candy dish, set out a nutcracker and a bowl of unshelled nuts.  Serve this way, with not added oil or salt, nuts are a wholesome treat, packed with protein, vitamins, and heart-healthy fats.  Plus, cracking and picking the meats out of the shells shows the frantic pace of over eating.

Remembering 911

There are so many strong feelings about 911 and it reaches our deepest emotions. My prayer is that those who were affected by losing a loved one or injured in this unbelievable act of hate would find healing on this day.  I hope that we can show the world that we cannot be broken or divided.  It is such a shame that  many of the voices heard around the world are the voices of the extreme right or extreme left!  Why can't the voices of reason be heard over all the noise.

We must show our children that we can come together as a nation and deal with our problems, fears, and differences without hate, judgement, and bigotry.  We must show our children that we can disagree with how a problem  is resolved without getting into name calling and false accusations.  We must show our children that even though there was a 911 it has not destroyed our confidence in fighting for freedoms that our forefathers guaranteed all of us.  We must show our children that we can tolerate differences of religions, political views, or opposite opinions.  We must show our children that we are a country united and no one can take that away.  We must show our children that 911 was a tragedy that must never be repeated and will never be forgotten.  We all are responsible for what we show our children this day and in the future.

How To Get The Best Education Possible: Tip #4

Make sure this year is a successful academic year for your child.  We already discussed turning off the electronics during the school week, organizing a study area, and putting your child on an regular schedule.  Today we will look at the next important tip.

Tip #4:  READ! READ! READ!

Research shows that how fluent a child reads (how many words per minute a child can read) will determine their success academically.  In order to complete assignments in high school, college, and graduate courses a students must be able to read a certain amount of materials in a short amount of time and comprehend what's been read.  This is why schools are using researched based reading series that make sure a child is fluently reading and understanding what they read on grade level. 

The only way a child can increase fluency is to read to your child when they are young and have them read recreational materials outside of school!  Research also shows that students who read for 15-60 minutes outside of school get better grades and score higher on standardized test.  So, tip #4 is to find books, magazines, comics, or whatever interest your child and read to your child or have them read every evening throughout the school year.  I'm sure you will be amazed at the increase in your child's vocabulary, written language, spelling, and overall understanding of the written word.  What will all this amount to?  Better comprehension and performance in all subject areas.  So, READ to your child or have your child READ! READ! READ!

How To Get The Best Education Possible: Tip #3

Having a successful school year takes planning and a lot of organization.  Now that we have turned off all electronics during the week and have a regular study area, let's continue our quest on getting the "Best Education Possible.

Tip #3: Have a schedule time for getting up, eating, studying, and going to bed.

Children and teens do better when they are on a schedule.  (Let the truth be known, most of us do better when on a schedule). 

1. There should be scheduled time to get up every morning. There should be enough time to wash, brush teeth, get dress, groom hair, eat breakfast, and load up for school.  Clothes and books should be laid out the night before to keep the morning running smoothly. 

2. Dinner should be at the same time or around the same time every evening.  Breakfast and lunches at school are always at the same time and parents need to do the same thing at home.  Parents should sit down and eat dinner with their children and discuss the day.  It makes a big difference for children to have that time with you. 

3. Extra curricular activities and homework all must be on a schedule.  Never over schedule your child with sports or activities that will stress them out and cause homework to be a burden.  Make sure activities are over early enough for homework, dinner, and bed time.

4. Bed time should be the same time every evening during the week.  Young children and some teens need at least 8-12 hours of sleep a night.  It is never good for your child to go to school tired because of not enough sleep.  A tired mind can not learn.

How To Get The Best Education Possible: Tip #2

In order for you and your child to have a successful school year certain things need to be in place.  We already know that the TV, video games, cell phones, and computers should be turned off or have limited use during the school week. 

Tip #2: Have a regular study area in your home. 

The study area can be as simple as the kitchen table, while you are fixing dinner, or a small desk or table in their room.  It should be the same place every afternoon or evening.  Your child should go to the study area and complete all homework assignments.  There should be pencils, pens, crayons, markers, erasers, paper, rulers, calculators or whatever supplies your child might need.  It should be neat and organized so your child can find everything needed to complete their homework.  Make sure you check to see that the homework is completed properly and neatly.  If your child does not understand an assignment, do not complete it for him/her.  They cannot learn by you doing their work.  Try to explain it and have them complete the work.  If you can't understand the assignment, call another parent or write a note and ask the teacher to explain it to your child. If your child has no homework or completes the work quickly, have them read for at least 15-45 minutes.  It will make all the difference in their grades if they are reading every night.