STRAFFORD COUNTY—
Now that another school year is here, children are heading back to the classroom and parents might wonder what they can do to help their children succeed in school.
Most parents would say they want their children to know the alphabet and how to begin to count as their child begins school, but most kindergarten teachers and multiple research studies tell us social, emotional learning paves the way for academic learning.
Helping children develop strong social/emotional skills is one major key to school success. It’s hard to teach children who don’t listen, don’t get along with others, and aren’t interested in learning.
Some key social/emotional skills children should learn include how to follow directions, get along with others, stay focused, solve problems with words rather than aggression, work independently or within a group, and identify and manage their emotions and behaviors.
Children learn important social and emotional skills when they solve problems that arise in play with others. Playing games with your toddler can help prepare him/her for school in a couple of years.
Offer children a balance of “choice time,” such as free play, and time for structured play.
Help them with this balance by providing a regular routine. Help them schedule their time. Make sure they have time for both schoolwork and fun activities.
Parents can establish a routine for meals, bedtime and homework; provide books, supplies and a special place to study. They can encourage their children to “ready” themselves for studying by refocusing their attention and learning to relax. Offer to study with them periodically, such as spelling words or using flash cards.
Part of a daily meal routine includes making sure children eat a good breakfast. As simple as it sounds, according to an expert in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, “Eating breakfast improves concentration, memory and problem-solving ability. Eating breakfast improves the brain’s ability to function and gives you the energy to get you going and keep you going throughout the day.”
According to Katherine French, registered dietitian and extension educator, this is especially important for school-age children because “those who eat breakfast are more alert, less irritable, participate more fully in learning activities and have better behavior. These kids have longer attention spans, get better test scores and are tardy and absent less often.”
In many ways, parents are the most important teachers children will have and it’s important to support your children’s education both at school and at home. Children continue to learn outside of school. The more positive and constructive learning experiences children have outside of school, the better they do in school. Establish regular communication with your child’s teachers. As a parent, you know your child best. Help your child’s teacher understand his/her strengths and struggles, daily life, and culture making the teacher/student connection stronger and more meaningful. This helps bridge the connection between what children learn in the classroom with their lives outside of school, keeping them engaged and excited about learning.
Talk with your child’s teachers about the kind of behavior you both expect from the child. Children learn better when parents have clear and reasonable expectations. Then, give your children frequent verbal support and praise them often in their schoolwork, progress and efforts. Let kids know you care about them and how they perform in school; this increases their self-confidence and helps them do better in school.
Remember, your children watch you, so be a role model for education and learning. Set a positive example by reading, studying, asking questions, and talking about education. The important thing for parents to remember is they are the most important teachers in their child’s life. Children are born eager to learn, but parents need to help them channel that learning. Talking with children before, during, and after any activity helps them learn the steps involved in learning.
To learn more about parenting and other family topics, contact Ellen Rondina, UNH Cooperative Extension Strafford County Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Resources, at ellen.rondina@unh.edu or by calling 603-749-4445.
Now that another school year is here, children are heading back to the classroom and parents might wonder what they can do to help their children succeed in school.
Most parents would say they want their children to know the alphabet and how to begin to count as their child begins school, but most kindergarten teachers and multiple research studies tell us social, emotional learning paves the way for academic learning.
Helping children develop strong social/emotional skills is one major key to school success. It’s hard to teach children who don’t listen, don’t get along with others, and aren’t interested in learning.
Some key social/emotional skills children should learn include how to follow directions, get along with others, stay focused, solve problems with words rather than aggression, work independently or within a group, and identify and manage their emotions and behaviors.
Children learn important social and emotional skills when they solve problems that arise in play with others. Playing games with your toddler can help prepare him/her for school in a couple of years.
Offer children a balance of “choice time,” such as free play, and time for structured play.
Help them with this balance by providing a regular routine. Help them schedule their time. Make sure they have time for both schoolwork and fun activities.
Parents can establish a routine for meals, bedtime and homework; provide books, supplies and a special place to study. They can encourage their children to “ready” themselves for studying by refocusing their attention and learning to relax. Offer to study with them periodically, such as spelling words or using flash cards.
Part of a daily meal routine includes making sure children eat a good breakfast. As simple as it sounds, according to an expert in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, “Eating breakfast improves concentration, memory and problem-solving ability. Eating breakfast improves the brain’s ability to function and gives you the energy to get you going and keep you going throughout the day.”
According to Katherine French, registered dietitian and extension educator, this is especially important for school-age children because “those who eat breakfast are more alert, less irritable, participate more fully in learning activities and have better behavior. These kids have longer attention spans, get better test scores and are tardy and absent less often.”
In many ways, parents are the most important teachers children will have and it’s important to support your children’s education both at school and at home. Children continue to learn outside of school. The more positive and constructive learning experiences children have outside of school, the better they do in school. Establish regular communication with your child’s teachers. As a parent, you know your child best. Help your child’s teacher understand his/her strengths and struggles, daily life, and culture making the teacher/student connection stronger and more meaningful. This helps bridge the connection between what children learn in the classroom with their lives outside of school, keeping them engaged and excited about learning.
Talk with your child’s teachers about the kind of behavior you both expect from the child. Children learn better when parents have clear and reasonable expectations. Then, give your children frequent verbal support and praise them often in their schoolwork, progress and efforts. Let kids know you care about them and how they perform in school; this increases their self-confidence and helps them do better in school.
Remember, your children watch you, so be a role model for education and learning. Set a positive example by reading, studying, asking questions, and talking about education. The important thing for parents to remember is they are the most important teachers in their child’s life. Children are born eager to learn, but parents need to help them channel that learning. Talking with children before, during, and after any activity helps them learn the steps involved in learning.
To learn more about parenting and other family topics, contact Ellen Rondina, UNH Cooperative Extension Strafford County Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Resources, at ellen.rondina@unh.edu or by calling 603-749-4445.
