Is homework a source of contention in your house?

Do you have the best educational setting?

When a child has problems in school, the natural assumption is there is something wrong with the child.  However, it is also possible that the setting is not a good fit.

Children have different learning styles.  Using workbooks and sitting at a desk is not effective for all.  Some children learn best when they are outside or able to move about freely.

I have witnessed cases of students who could not function in a traditional classroom but thrived in a more informal setting which focused on a student-driven curriculum.

We live in an age of school choice.  In addition to the local public school, there are charter schools, private schools, parent coops and home school.

This is Emmalou Penrod and your Parenting Tip for today is check the options in your community and select the best educational setting for your child. 

Understanding Learning Styles

Did you know there are at least 7 different learning styles?  Most people use more than one.

Visual learners do best with diagrams, graphs, and images, while auditory prefer hearing.  Verbal learners love words.  They benefit from reading and writing, while kinesthetic learners need hands-on experiences.  Logical learners look for the patterns and connections.  They have a mathematical brain.  If you learn best as part of a group, you have a social learning style.  And if you prefer solitude for studying, you are an intrapersonal learner.

Everyone learns best when new information is presented to them in at least one of their learning styles.

This is Emmalou Penrod and your Parenting Tip for today is identify your children’s learning styles for more effective communication.

How is the communication between home and school?

Do you feel understood and respected when you communicate with your children’s school?  Is it easy to reach an agreement or is there contention in your communication?

Remember the relationship between home and school is two-way.  People are more likely to listen to you when you listen to them.  Treat others with respect and appreciation to receive the same from them. 

You can be proactive in forming a rapport with the personnel at your children’s school.  Everyone responds more favorably to appreciation than criticism.  Begin with gratitude for their support in your child’s education.

If problems arise during the school year, it will be much easier to focus on what is best for your child when there is a relationship of trust and mutual respect. 

This is Emmalou Penrod and your Parenting Tip for today is form a synergistic team with teachers and staff at your children’s school.

What is your structure for homework?

Does the word “homework” have a negative connotation in your family?  It can be a serious stressor in some homes.  And yet there is a way to use this to your child’s advantage.

Begin with a designated time and place for homework with appropriate incentives.  Bring your positive attitude about learning and achieving.  Provide encouragement and praise.  You can also make sure that you are communicating your child’s learning style and needs to their teacher. 

If you see that the assignments sent home are not a match with what is best for your child, discuss this with their teacher.  Suggest alternative activities that reinforce learning and demonstrate understanding.

This is Emmalou Penrod and your Parenting Tip for today is use homework as an opportunity to become actively involved in your children’s learning.

What are your priorities for your children’s education?

Are grades a major issue in your family?  Naturally as a parent you want your children to be successful. 

High academic scores are helpful in acquiring scholarships and admission into more competitive universities.  However, when was the last time someone asked to look at your high school transcript?

Employers are more interested in performance.  Our world is changing so quickly that the ability to learn and relearn is far more important than memorized data.  The love of learning is more valuable than a 4.0 GPA. 

If grades are a source of contention and stress for your children, how will that impact the love of learning they were born with?  Children are natural learners, but that can change after a multitude of negative experiences.

This is Emmalou Penrod and your Parenting Tip for today is don’t let grades interfere with your child’s love of learning.