Hacker Valley Elementary School

Calm explanations work better than angry scolding It's important to let your child know when he has misbehaved. Understanding what he did wrong is how he learns. But nothing is accomplished if you get angry and lose control. For more effective discipline, try this three-step process: 1. Calmly describe the behavior that is unacceptable. 2. Tell your child how it makes you feel when he does that. 3. Explain why the behavior isn't allowed. https://tpitip.com/?11lP18889

Talk about freedoms on Bill of Rights Day December 15 is Bill of Rights Day in the United States. On this day in 1791, the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution were ratified. They became known as the Bill of Rights. Talk with your child about the freedoms this document grants. For example, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech and freedom of religion. The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial by jury. https://tpitip.com/?11lO18889

A systematic approach can help your child read and remember Your child will read many textbooks and nonfiction sources in her school career. To help her retain what she reads, encourage her to preview the text by reading the main headings and scanning the pictures. Next, she should read the introduction, summary and any questions that follow the passage. Then she can read the main text in short sections, making sure she understands each section before moving on. https://tpitip.com/?11lN18889

Strong writing starts with pre-writing Pre-writing is an important first step in good writing. It's when your child thinks about what he's going to write and who his audience is. To help your student develop pre-writing skills, give him access to lots of reading materials. Encourage him to take notes on what he reads and to brainstorm ideas. Listen and make suggestions. If he gets stuck when he starts writing, suggest he go back and pre-write some more. https://tpitip.com/?11lM18889

top the self-criticism cycle from derailing your child Some children can be very hard on themselves. They feel like failures if they aren't the "best." This can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. To ward off perfectionism, set reasonable goals for your child and relax about normal mistakes. And don't brush off her self-criticism. Instead, discuss it. Remind her that no one can be perfect. Point out her strengths, and teach her to use affirmative self-talk, such as "I'm proud of how hard I tried." https://tpitip.com/?11lL18889

Learning techniques that teachers use also help at home Many of the strategies that teachers use to help children learn will also work at home. To help your child think more deeply about something she has learned, ask her to tell you about it. Can she come up with a practical example? (For 3x3, for example, three groups of three chocolates make nine chocolates.) Ask her to draw a picture of what she is learning. If she's reading, ask what questions she would like to ask the author. https://tpitip.com/?11lJ18889

Discuss ways that school is like a job It's not always clear to young children why parents hold jobs. Talk to your child about your reasons for having a job and the responsibilities it involves, such as being on time every day. Then discuss the ways that being in school is like having a job: like you, she is counted on to be there, work hard, etc. She'll learn that school is an important daily responsibility. https://tpitip.com/?11lH18889

Tune in to a special news report from your child When it comes to school, no news isn't necessarily good news. Parents need to know as much as they can. Find out more by asking your child to give you an "evening news report." After school, have him make a list of a few things that happened during the day. Ask him to report on what made him happy and what was tough. Then, over dinner, enjoy this very special news program. https://tpitip.com/?11lG18889

Let your child make some schoolwork choices Giving your child some choices about how to do school assignments can reduce study time problems. Let your child decide things like: whether to work in a bedroom or at the kitchen table, whether to start right after school or after relaxing a bit, and whether to start with math or reading. If a choice doesn't work out, let the consequences teach your child to make a different choice next time. https://tpitip.com/?11lF18889

Create a chart of family rules and consequences At home and in class, children need to respect and follow rules to function well in a group. To make discipline easier, create a chart of four or five of your family's most important house rules and the consequences for breaking them. Make sure your child understands them. Then enforce them consistently. Point to the chart and say, "Taylor, you broke rule #3. What is the consequence?" https://tpitip.com/?11lE18889

Consider these features when choosing digital products for your child Computers, tablets and smartphones are part of children's lives and learning these days. But not all content labeled "educational" really is. When choosing programs or apps for your child, look for games with levels that change as your child improves. They should encourage him to discover the content for himself, without distracting him with unnecessary flashing lights or buttons to push. Look for programs that let you interact with your child and talk about the content together. https://tpitip.com/?11lD18889

Offer your child funny and interesting reading Sometime between ages seven and nine, children typically transition from mostly listening to and looking at books to reading them on their own. How can you ease this transition? Boost your child's motivation to read. Seek out books that make her laugh or want to know what happens next. Nurture her curiosity. Then show her how to look up the answers to her questions in reference books or online. https://tpitip.com/?11lC18889

Start your sleepyhead's morning with Snuggle Time If it is a struggle to get your child up for school on time, try waking him 15 minutes earlier for Snuggle Time. Turn on the light and call his name. Have him acknowledge you verbally, then turn off the light. That's the signal that your child can snuggle in for a little more snooze time. This transition time may make it easier for him to get up when you return in 15 minutes. https://tpitip.com/?11lB18889

Replace greed with giving Holiday commercialism makes it easy for kids to focus entirely on their own needs and wants. This year, help your child learn that it is important to think about others. Look for ways to help people as a family. Is there an elderly neighbor who needs help taking out the trash? Could you collect blankets or food for a shelter? Your child will learn that she has a lot to give to the community. https://tpitip.com/?11lA18889

Build math recall with flash cards Using flash cards to quiz your child is a great way to help him learn math facts. You can have him write or say the answer as you show him the problem. Or have him write a problem that fits the answer. Flash cards are a perfect way to fill odd moments. Just keep sessions short and frequent. Spend more time with math facts that are harder, and end each session with praise for your child's efforts. https://tpitip.com/?11kd18889

Create afternoon routines for easier mornings "Where is my library book?" "I can't find my math worksheet!" If your mornings sound like this, add some routines to the afternoon. Designate a special box for your child's school materials. As soon as she walks in the door, have her go to that box to unload. After completing assignments, she should put them back in the box. Each evening, your child can pack the contents of the box into her backpack, ready for the next day. https://tpitip.com/?11kc18889

Keep the focus of sports on sportsmanship If pressure is taking the fun out of sports for your child, talk with him about what it means to be a good sport. Remind him that fun should come first. If everyone is having fun, winning and losing don't seem so important. Make sure your child understands the rules of the game, too. Praise good sportsmanship when you see it, and always be a good sport yourself. Cheer for all the kids on both teams, not just yours. https://tpitip.com/?11kb18889

Start with easy questions to keep communication flowing If you worry about whether you'll be able to talk to your child when she's a teen, you're not alone. Worrying won't help, but good communication habits will. One helpful way to get a quiet child to talk is to ask specific questions, such as "What was the best thing that happened today?" Start with questions that aren't threatening, like "What do you think of this picture in the catalog?" Try it when you're relaxing together. https://tpitip.com/?11ka18889

Put learning on the list of things to be grateful for A positive outlook helps children do better in school. Gratitude builds that attitude. Take time to sit down with your family often and share lists of things you are thankful for. Be sure to mention school and any progress your child is making. Has a teacher done something special to help? Have your child take a few minutes to write or say "Thanks." https://tpitip.com/?11kY18889

To encourage reading, call for blanket time Here's a tip for promoting family reading: Grab a blanket and spread it on the floor. Have family members each pick a book and lie on the blanket. Then enjoy reading together! When children are young, parents can do the reading, but as kids grow up, they will enjoy reading to everyone else. Blanket time is a great way to connect and turn your children into happy readers. https://tpitip.com/?11kX18889