Dear Readers,
There are many books that can teach you how to get organized, but after you read them how do you stay organized? I have found out that if you establish a pattern or routine daily it helps to keep things organized.
1. Keep a family calendar – everyone always has to be somewhere.
Your schedules will not overlap if you keep a calendar.
2. Have a checklist - Checklists help your child stay on track and it helps to develop your child’s ability to organize his/her time.
3. Get ready the night before - Get everything ready the night before, so you will know where clothes, shoes, hats, coats, etc are for the next morning.
4. Buy your child a planner to use to write homework assignments in.
5. Organize schoolwork, homework and notes for home in separate folders.
6. Check the backpack nightly, you may find the forgotten note about the PTA/PTO, Field trip, permission slip for music that needed to be signed 2 weeks ago.
7. Establish a homework routine. If your child attends aftercare, most of the time some of the homework may be completed before the child is picked up from after-care. The child would then have another "study hour" at home to read.
Reward your child and yourself too.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Stay on Task
Dear Readers,
It has been 2 weeks now since we have been using the Morning Routine Chart. It is working for us but sometimes I have to gently ask : "What's next on your routine chart?" or "What needs to happen for you to get ready for school?"
It has been 2 weeks now since we have been using the Morning Routine Chart. It is working for us but sometimes I have to gently ask : "What's next on your routine chart?" or "What needs to happen for you to get ready for school?"
Monday, October 18, 2010
How to Grow a Reader
Dear Readers,
How do you grow a reader?
Step 1: From infancy to the birth of your child, read, read, read to your unborn baby.
Step 2: From birth read to your newborn child
Step 3: Build your child a library with picture books and bright colored books.
Step 4: Read the picture books to your baby and point to the pictures as you read.
Step 5: While reading to your child, animate your voice and facial expression.
As your child gets older:
Step 6: Take your child to the library or bookstore often
Step 7: Encourage your child to ask questions as you read to him/her
Step 8: Let your child see you reading and how much you enjoy reading.
Step 9: Go to story hour at the library
Step 10: Read bedtime stories to your child every night
For fluent readers and school age:
Step 11: Have your child read 20 to 30 minutes a day
HAPPY READING!!
How do you grow a reader?
Step 1: From infancy to the birth of your child, read, read, read to your unborn baby.
Step 2: From birth read to your newborn child
Step 3: Build your child a library with picture books and bright colored books.
Step 4: Read the picture books to your baby and point to the pictures as you read.
Step 5: While reading to your child, animate your voice and facial expression.
As your child gets older:
Step 6: Take your child to the library or bookstore often
Step 7: Encourage your child to ask questions as you read to him/her
Step 8: Let your child see you reading and how much you enjoy reading.
Step 9: Go to story hour at the library
Step 10: Read bedtime stories to your child every night
For fluent readers and school age:
Step 11: Have your child read 20 to 30 minutes a day
HAPPY READING!!
Friday, October 15, 2010
7 Ways to Develop Your Child's Organizational Skills
Dear Readers,
1. Keep a family calendar – Keep track of the family and know what is planned and where every one should be. This will eliminate the problem of schedules overlapping.
2. Introduce checklists. Checklists develop a child’s ability to organize his/her time.
3. Get ready the night before - Get in the habit of getting everything ready the night before (know where clothes, shoes, coats, hats, etc). Sometimes this can be a tedious task for children as well as adults.
4. Buy your child a planner. Some school us agenda/planners to keep children organized at school. This also works at home to keep the child organized and on track.
5. Organize schoolwork. Schoolwork includes homework, class assignments, notes home to parents and notes about upcoming events. Teach your child to stay organized by keeping each subject in individual folders. Check the backpack nightly, you may find the forgotten note about the PTA/PTO, Field trip, permission slip for music that needed to be signed 2 weeks ago.
6. Establish a homework routine. If your child attends aftercare, most of the time some of the homework may be completed before the child is picked up from after-care. The child would then have another "study hour" at
7. Reward your child - Encourage your child to continue using their morning routine schedule especially if it is helping your child get ready for school in an organized manner.
1. Keep a family calendar – Keep track of the family and know what is planned and where every one should be. This will eliminate the problem of schedules overlapping.
2. Introduce checklists. Checklists develop a child’s ability to organize his/her time.
3. Get ready the night before - Get in the habit of getting everything ready the night before (know where clothes, shoes, coats, hats, etc). Sometimes this can be a tedious task for children as well as adults.
4. Buy your child a planner. Some school us agenda/planners to keep children organized at school. This also works at home to keep the child organized and on track.
5. Organize schoolwork. Schoolwork includes homework, class assignments, notes home to parents and notes about upcoming events. Teach your child to stay organized by keeping each subject in individual folders. Check the backpack nightly, you may find the forgotten note about the PTA/PTO, Field trip, permission slip for music that needed to be signed 2 weeks ago.
6. Establish a homework routine. If your child attends aftercare, most of the time some of the homework may be completed before the child is picked up from after-care. The child would then have another "study hour" at
7. Reward your child - Encourage your child to continue using their morning routine schedule especially if it is helping your child get ready for school in an organized manner.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Time Management for Children
Dear Readers,
This morning when I went to walked by my child’s bedroom, I saw her holding her shoe in her hand. I asked her why her shoe was not on her foot. She replied, “I am trying to get a knot out of my shoestring.” I wondered how long had she been working on this task. I realized then that children get a lot more accomplished when they have a routine. At school, she has a daily routine or schedule. She has an after-school routine, as well as a bedtime routine. It would stand to reason that she should have a morning routine (an organized morning routine.)
In my research I found 3 types of Routine Charts:
Vertical – Pictures are in order from top to bottom
Flip Card – These are made using index cards with a task on each card. Have your child flip the card over after the task is complete.
Horizontal Chart – Pictures are in order from left to right.
This is the routine my child will follow:
• Wake Up from Alarm Clock
• Make Bed
• Get Dressed
• Eat Breakfast
• Clean Up Breakfast
• Brush Teeth
• Get Backpack
• Leave for School
My goal is to reduce stress in my life and teach life skills to my child.
Choose the type that works best for you child, depending on the age and the need of your child.
• Preschoolers between the ages of 3-6: Choose either a vertical routine chart or a flip card picture routine chart.
• School Age Kids and Teenagers between the ages of 6 and up will need to choose their own style of chart that is easiest for them to use.
• If you have a child with Dyslexia, choose a vertical routine chart because they may struggle with concepts from left to right.
• If your child has ADD/ADHD, choose the flip chart routine chart because children with ADD and ADHD get overwhelmed with too much visual stimuli, this type of chart allows him/her to focus on one task at a time.
This morning when I went to walked by my child’s bedroom, I saw her holding her shoe in her hand. I asked her why her shoe was not on her foot. She replied, “I am trying to get a knot out of my shoestring.” I wondered how long had she been working on this task. I realized then that children get a lot more accomplished when they have a routine. At school, she has a daily routine or schedule. She has an after-school routine, as well as a bedtime routine. It would stand to reason that she should have a morning routine (an organized morning routine.)
In my research I found 3 types of Routine Charts:
Vertical – Pictures are in order from top to bottom
Flip Card – These are made using index cards with a task on each card. Have your child flip the card over after the task is complete.
Horizontal Chart – Pictures are in order from left to right.
This is the routine my child will follow:
• Wake Up from Alarm Clock
• Make Bed
• Get Dressed
• Eat Breakfast
• Clean Up Breakfast
• Brush Teeth
• Get Backpack
• Leave for School
My goal is to reduce stress in my life and teach life skills to my child.
Choose the type that works best for you child, depending on the age and the need of your child.
• Preschoolers between the ages of 3-6: Choose either a vertical routine chart or a flip card picture routine chart.
• School Age Kids and Teenagers between the ages of 6 and up will need to choose their own style of chart that is easiest for them to use.
• If you have a child with Dyslexia, choose a vertical routine chart because they may struggle with concepts from left to right.
• If your child has ADD/ADHD, choose the flip chart routine chart because children with ADD and ADHD get overwhelmed with too much visual stimuli, this type of chart allows him/her to focus on one task at a time.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Tips Parent-Teacher Conferences
Dear Readers,
It is almost time for Parent-Teacher Conferences. I always have more questions that I think after I leave the Parent-Teacher conference. Here are some tips I use in order to have a successful conference:
Tips for parents when meeting with teachers
1. Be on time you will have probably 10-15 minutes with the teacher.
2. Bring questions – Make a list of questions to ask the teacher about classroom, homework, tests, projects.
3. Address any concerns about child's performance (bring examples of homework, tests, etc.
4. Ask to see examples of homework, classwork, tests that your child has completed. You will be able to see what your child needs help on.
5. Become an involved parent by volunteering at school. Students are more successful if the parent(s) are involved at school.
6. Ask the teacher how you can help your child better meet the learning objectives.
7. Thank the teacher for his/her dedication and hard work teaching your child.
It is almost time for Parent-Teacher Conferences. I always have more questions that I think after I leave the Parent-Teacher conference. Here are some tips I use in order to have a successful conference:
Tips for parents when meeting with teachers
1. Be on time you will have probably 10-15 minutes with the teacher.
2. Bring questions – Make a list of questions to ask the teacher about classroom, homework, tests, projects.
3. Address any concerns about child's performance (bring examples of homework, tests, etc.
4. Ask to see examples of homework, classwork, tests that your child has completed. You will be able to see what your child needs help on.
5. Become an involved parent by volunteering at school. Students are more successful if the parent(s) are involved at school.
6. Ask the teacher how you can help your child better meet the learning objectives.
7. Thank the teacher for his/her dedication and hard work teaching your child.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
6 Questions for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Dear Readers,
Parent-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner. You are probably wondering what to ask the teacher during the conference.
Here is a list of questions to ask during the conference:
1. What skills and knowledge will my child be expected to master this year in English, Math, Science, History?
2. How do you inform students about the academic standards they're expected to meet?
3. What kind of projects and assignments have you planned that will help my child meet higher academic standards?
4. How are grades determined in your classroom?
5. What can I do to stay more involved in my child's academic progress?
6. How can I support teachers' efforts in implementing higher academic standards?
Source: http://school.familyeducation.com
Parent-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner. You are probably wondering what to ask the teacher during the conference.
Here is a list of questions to ask during the conference:
1. What skills and knowledge will my child be expected to master this year in English, Math, Science, History?
2. How do you inform students about the academic standards they're expected to meet?
3. What kind of projects and assignments have you planned that will help my child meet higher academic standards?
4. How are grades determined in your classroom?
5. What can I do to stay more involved in my child's academic progress?
6. How can I support teachers' efforts in implementing higher academic standards?
Source: http://school.familyeducation.com
Friday, October 1, 2010
Favorite Books
Dear Readers,
Does your child have a favorite book that he/she loves to read every day or night? My son's favorite book was "The Gingerbread Man", which became my favorite book also. What would you expect after reading this book every night, I would show him the pictures while I read each page. After a while he had memorized the book and would say the words with me, even though he could not read them at the age of three (3).
Try this for fun:
What you will need:
- construction paper
- cut pictures from a magazine or newspaper
- markers
- glue
- stapler
Steps:
Fold 2 sheets of construction paper and staple them on the crease to make a book.
Let your child pick a title for the book.
Help your child pick out pictures that have to do with the title and glue them into the book.
Let your child share his/her book with a family member or friend.
Does your child have a favorite book that he/she loves to read every day or night? My son's favorite book was "The Gingerbread Man", which became my favorite book also. What would you expect after reading this book every night, I would show him the pictures while I read each page. After a while he had memorized the book and would say the words with me, even though he could not read them at the age of three (3).
Try this for fun:
What you will need:
- construction paper
- cut pictures from a magazine or newspaper
- markers
- glue
- stapler
Steps:
Fold 2 sheets of construction paper and staple them on the crease to make a book.
Let your child pick a title for the book.
Help your child pick out pictures that have to do with the title and glue them into the book.
Let your child share his/her book with a family member or friend.
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