Webster Springs Elementary School

Bring your family together at regular family meetings Weekly family meetings let parents and kids share feelings, offer support and stay close. To make your meetings productive, let family members suggest issues they'd like to put on the agenda. Start each meeting by praising your children's accomplishments. When discussing an issue, agree that everyone gets to talk without being interrupted. Be sure to hear your children out, but make final decisions yourself. https://tpitip.com/?12dJ18889

Set your child up for test success Many elementary schoolers face important tests in the spring. Three things families can do help set students up to do their best on testing days: First, help your child get a good night's sleep before a test and get up a little early to avoid a hectic rush. Next, feed your child a nutritious breakfast. Finally, make sure that your child starts school on time. https://tpitip.com/?12dI18889

Positive pictures keep achievement in sight Kids who can picture themselves achieving their goals are more likely to do so. Have your child focus on a goal, such as getting ready for school on time. Next, have your student picture following the steps to reach it: getting dressed, having breakfast and grabbing an organized backpack. Encourage your child to imagine how good it will feel to reach the goal. Then say "I know you can achieve your goal." https://tpitip.com/?12dH18889

Make read-aloud time exciting for older kids Reading aloud is not just for young children. Kids who can read to themselves still benefit from it. To make reading aloud more fun for an older child, look for chapter books that have plenty of plot twists. You can ask a librarian for suggestions. Then, with your child, take turns reading to each other. Stop at an exciting place in the story. Your child will want to read again soon to find out what happens! https://tpitip.com/?12dG18889

Help your child stop clowning around in class A sense of humor is great. But not if it causes disruptions in class. If your child has been playing the class clown, work with the teacher to identify when the behavior started, what might have triggered it and how to handle it. Talk to your child, too. Explain that there are times when acting clever or silly is disrespectful. Be clear about behaviors that are not allowed, and suggest things your child can do instead. https://tpitip.com/?12dF18889

Memory boosters help your child study smart Does your child study for a long time, but not remember much? These "memory boosters" can help: Encourage your child to state facts out loud by "teaching" them to you. Your student can also reinforce knowledge by drawing a picture of the information, either on paper or in the mind. Connecting the information to something your child already knows, or making up a catchy rhyme about it, can boost recall, too. https://tpitip.com/?12dD18889

For email/Facebook: Show your child how to find answers without asking you It can start with a simple question. But before you know it, you've spent 20 minutes answering all the questions on your child's worksheet. Instead, help your student learn how to find the answers independently. If your child asks how to spell "Illinois," for example, ask, "Where could you find that answer?" Get out a dictionary or a map and have your child find it. Your student will learn the answer and how to find more answers in the future. https://tpitip.com/?12dB18889

Spring into learning on these special April days Add some interesting holidays to your child's April schedule to reawaken interest in learning. On International Children's Book Day (April 2), read a story from another country. Celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day (April 21) by drawing pictures together of things you would like to invent. And on National Honesty Day (April 30), talk about why it's important to be honest every day! https://tpitip.com/?12dA18889

There will be a 2 hour early dismissal for students tomorrow, April 1, 2022 due to planned Faculty Senate meetings in the schools. There is be no school for students on Monday, April 4, 2022 due to a planned Professional Learning Day for all staff.

Sometimes, let your child learn by doing Teaching your child new skills is important, and it can be a great way to spend time together. But kids often lose interest when everything feels like a lesson. So take a step back sometimes. Let your child decide how to tackle a project. You might ask if there is anything you can do to help. Remember that your child also learns a lesson from trying something that doesn't work. https://tpitip.com/?12ce18889

Help your child move forward after a setback Setbacks can cause self-doubt for even the most positive kids. Help your child overcome setbacks by building skills for success. Demonstrate how to break down large tasks into smaller steps that are easier to master. Teach problem-solving skills, like brainstorming and evaluating solutions. Role-play challenging situations until your child feels comfortable handling them. And never put your child or yourself down. https://tpitip.com/?12cd18889

Teach your children to look for a solution, not a fight Constant arguments are disruptive, at school and at home. To teach your children how to resolve a conflict without arguing, set some rules. When your children have a disagreement over something, they have to work together to find a fair solution. They should each tell their own side, then say what they need most. After that, it's up to them to try to figure out a way they both can get something they need. https://tpitip.com/?12cc18889

Ask questions to strengthen your child’s thinking skills There are many ways you can help your child learn to think things through. One is by asking questions aloud, like "I wonder why that happened?" and then discussing possible reasons. You can also show interest in the questions the teacher is asking, as well as what is being taught. When your child expresses opinions, ask for facts that back them up. And when your student reads, ask "What do you think is the most important thing you read in that passage?" https://tpitip.com/?12cb18889

Ask questions to connect actions and consequences Kids who behave responsibly get along better with teachers and classmates. They are also more likely to try, follow through and succeed in school. To help your child connect actions to consequences, ask questions like "How do you think Avery felt when you said that?" Asking "What happened first?" or "Why do you think that happened?" also helps improve children's understanding of their role in a situation. https://tpitip.com/?12ca18889

Relax and observe nature with your child Outdoor play is a great way to strengthen observation skills and creativity. To help your child learn and benefit from nature, ask questions like, "Can you feel where the wind is coming from?" or "What is that ant doing?" Have your child try to identify sounds with closed eyes. You can also suggest making up a poem or story about the outdoors. Don't rush; giving your child time to draw aimlessly with a stick or touch a flower creates a sense of calm. https://tpitip.com/?12cZ18889

Supervise and discuss your child's online activities Today's kids are growing up in the digital age, and the internet can be a wonderful learning tool for children. But it's important to make sure your child uses it safely. The FBI recommends that you supervise your child's online activity. Know the sites and apps your child uses. Talk about your values with your child, and make it clear which sites, apps and activities are off limits and why. Explain that your child should never give out personal information because people online are not always who they seem. https://tpitip.com/?12cY18889

A positive attitude supports your child’s self-confidence By age seven or eight, many children become self-conscious. A critical inner voice says things like, "That's stupid" or "You read like an idiot." These feelings can affect your child's willingness to tackle challenges in school. To help your child develop confidence, don't criticize the worrying. Instead, praise your student's effort and point out progress. Your calm reassurances will build a positive inner voice for your child. https://tpitip.com/?12cX18889

Problem-solving is a skill kids learn by doing Elementary students are developing their problem-solving skills. When your child comes to you with a problem, listen calmly and don't immediately try to solve it. Encourage your child to describe the issue and brainstorm possible solutions. Restate what you hear, and ask questions to help your child think. When children come up with a solution themselves, they are more willing to act on it. And they learn that they can solve problems! https://tpitip.com/?12cW18889

Let the teacher know about schoolwork struggles If your child is struggling day after day with assigned work at home, contact the teacher. Explain what is happening and ask for suggestions. Your child might need extra help from a tutor, or a schedule to make up missed assignments. More challenging assignments or help with English may be helpful. Work with the teacher on a plan to help your child, then follow up. https://tpitip.com/?12cV18889

Help your child make the most of strengths and talents What helps children succeed in and out of school? Families who help them develop their talents to the fullest. Instead of pushing your child to be the best, look for achievable ways to help your student improve. Encourage practice by making it enjoyable. Show interest in your child's talents by learning the skills yourself and spending time doing them together. And always, let your child know that your love and support is unconditional. https://tpitip.com/?12cO18889