Messages from Dr. Sanders
Provide Support at Home (Part I)
Communication with your Child
In order to keep up with what’s going on in your child’s life, take the time to talk with your child every day. The following tips will help you and your child communicate. Information from Parent Guidebook, by Linda O’Brien.
Develop Routines
Your child is learning new things at an amazing rate. Routines for sleep, meals, homework, and play can provide real stability for young learners. What might seem like a simple routine to you may be a source of comfort and accomplishment to your child.
While there are no set rules for the amount of time your child should spend on homework, you should, nevertheless, establish a regular time to do homework. Some children want to get their homework done right after school. Others want to take a break and do their homework later. The important thing is that you and your child create a study routine that works. (CTE side note - even if no homework is assigned, reading together is great!)
Establishing a good bedtime routine not only helps your child get to bed on time, it also helps things run more smoothly in the morning. As a part of your child’s bedtime routine, have your child put everything that’s needed for the next day in his/her backpack - and put the backpack in the same place each night.
In order to keep up with what’s going on in your child’s life, take the time to talk with your child every day. The following tips will help you and your child communicate. Information from Parent Guidebook, by Linda O’Brien.
- Ask open-ended questions that require more than one-word answers. Instead of “How was school?” say “Tell me about your day” or “What did you learn in school today?”
- Be available when your child wants to talk. This may be right after your child gets home from school, or before your child goes to bed. Another good time to talk is when you and your child are driving in the car.
- Recognize the importance of nonverbal communication. Children aren’t always able to put into words what they want or need their parents to know. It is, therefore, important to pay attention to body language, moods, eating habits, sleeping patterns, and school performance. These can be good indicators of how things are going at school and with friends.
- Regularly spend one-on-one time with your child doing things you both enjoy. Try cooking, shopping, playing a game, or taking a walk. Not only are these good ways to spend quality time with your child, they also provide opportunities for you to answer your child’s questions, and to discuss issues and concerns in a safe, comfortable environment.
- Try to eat dinner s a family as often as possible. Research shows that students whose families eat dinner together do better in school. Turn the television off and talk about your day. It’s a great time for families to reconnect.
Develop Routines
Your child is learning new things at an amazing rate. Routines for sleep, meals, homework, and play can provide real stability for young learners. What might seem like a simple routine to you may be a source of comfort and accomplishment to your child.
While there are no set rules for the amount of time your child should spend on homework, you should, nevertheless, establish a regular time to do homework. Some children want to get their homework done right after school. Others want to take a break and do their homework later. The important thing is that you and your child create a study routine that works. (CTE side note - even if no homework is assigned, reading together is great!)
Establishing a good bedtime routine not only helps your child get to bed on time, it also helps things run more smoothly in the morning. As a part of your child’s bedtime routine, have your child put everything that’s needed for the next day in his/her backpack - and put the backpack in the same place each night.
Excellent Attendance: Being is school every day means your child won’t miss out on learning. Try to schedule appointments and family trips outside of school hours. If your child asks to stay home “just because,” remind him of what he will miss, such as reading group or art class. Explain that he can be absent only if he is sick or if there is a family emergency.
Eat Meals Together: You may have heard that it’s important for families to eat dinner together. But other meals count too. If you work in the evenings, maybe you could make time for a family breakfast. On a weekend try a picnic lunch (weather permitting). Research shows that children who regularly eat meals with their families tend to do better in school and avoid risky behavior.
Picture This: Good readers form mental pictures as they read. To improve your child’s comprehension, read a book without letting him see it. Then ask him to guess what the illustrations look like. Examples: How are the characters dressed? Is the setting bright or gloomy?
Thinking Games: Between school, errands, and activities, families spend lots of time on the go. Try some thinking games during those times. “Would You Rather” – Offer two options and ask which they prefer and why. Example: “Would you rather live near a beach or the mountains?” “Three Favorites” – Someone picks a category (outfits, movies) and the others tell their top three choices. “What does not belong” – Take turns naming items and asking the others to explain which the odd one is and why. There can be more than one “right” answer. Example: If you name “owl, ostrich, and eagle.” One child may say Ostrich because it can’t fly.” Another child may say, “Owl, because it hunts at night.” Hopefully your child will become better at thinking through these ideas.
Bullying: The bystander’s role: If your child comes home from school upset because kids are picking on a classmate and wouldn’t let her play with them. What advice should you give? Tell your child that her classmate is being bullied and that she can help stop it. There are several things she can do. If she feels safe she can say something like, “That is not nice,” and walk away. She might invite the child who is being bullied to join her in a game or school project. Also, remind your child to report bullying to a teacher or adult when she sees it. Let her know this in not tattling, but a way to help someone who is being hurt. You can explain: “Asking an adult to help a child who is being bullied is like asking the nurse to help a child with a scraped knee.”
Eat Meals Together: You may have heard that it’s important for families to eat dinner together. But other meals count too. If you work in the evenings, maybe you could make time for a family breakfast. On a weekend try a picnic lunch (weather permitting). Research shows that children who regularly eat meals with their families tend to do better in school and avoid risky behavior.
Picture This: Good readers form mental pictures as they read. To improve your child’s comprehension, read a book without letting him see it. Then ask him to guess what the illustrations look like. Examples: How are the characters dressed? Is the setting bright or gloomy?
Thinking Games: Between school, errands, and activities, families spend lots of time on the go. Try some thinking games during those times. “Would You Rather” – Offer two options and ask which they prefer and why. Example: “Would you rather live near a beach or the mountains?” “Three Favorites” – Someone picks a category (outfits, movies) and the others tell their top three choices. “What does not belong” – Take turns naming items and asking the others to explain which the odd one is and why. There can be more than one “right” answer. Example: If you name “owl, ostrich, and eagle.” One child may say Ostrich because it can’t fly.” Another child may say, “Owl, because it hunts at night.” Hopefully your child will become better at thinking through these ideas.
Bullying: The bystander’s role: If your child comes home from school upset because kids are picking on a classmate and wouldn’t let her play with them. What advice should you give? Tell your child that her classmate is being bullied and that she can help stop it. There are several things she can do. If she feels safe she can say something like, “That is not nice,” and walk away. She might invite the child who is being bullied to join her in a game or school project. Also, remind your child to report bullying to a teacher or adult when she sees it. Let her know this in not tattling, but a way to help someone who is being hurt. You can explain: “Asking an adult to help a child who is being bullied is like asking the nurse to help a child with a scraped knee.”
Homework Solutions that work
An actor rehearses his lines and a baseball player works on his swing practicing to get better. Your child does homework to practice what he is learning in school. If your child is like many youngsters, homework brings occasional challenges. Here are solutions to common problems your child may face.
Getting Started: When your child gets home from school or after-school care, he might want to relax for a while, or he may want to jump right in and work. Have your child try each method for one week and keep track of how it goes. He could write notes in each day’s calendar square (“went great” or “hard time getting started”). After two weeks, he can review the notes to see which routine worked best.
Staying Motivated: Does your child ever feel restless when doing homework? Suggest that he get up and move to a new spot. He might finish his vocabulary assignment at the kitchen table and then read his science chapter on the porch. A planned break (have a snack or take a walk) can also give him a second wind.
Solving Problems: Help your child make a list of strategies he can use when he gets stuck. For a math assignment, he might try tools like a number line or number grid. When reading he could look up words in the dictionary or reread a paragraph. If he is still stuck he might call a friend or write down his question to ask his teacher the next day.
A Language Rich Home:
Strong language skills can make your child a better reader, writer, and all around student. You can build those skills just by talking to your child. Try these ideas:
Getting Started: When your child gets home from school or after-school care, he might want to relax for a while, or he may want to jump right in and work. Have your child try each method for one week and keep track of how it goes. He could write notes in each day’s calendar square (“went great” or “hard time getting started”). After two weeks, he can review the notes to see which routine worked best.
Staying Motivated: Does your child ever feel restless when doing homework? Suggest that he get up and move to a new spot. He might finish his vocabulary assignment at the kitchen table and then read his science chapter on the porch. A planned break (have a snack or take a walk) can also give him a second wind.
Solving Problems: Help your child make a list of strategies he can use when he gets stuck. For a math assignment, he might try tools like a number line or number grid. When reading he could look up words in the dictionary or reread a paragraph. If he is still stuck he might call a friend or write down his question to ask his teacher the next day.
A Language Rich Home:
Strong language skills can make your child a better reader, writer, and all around student. You can build those skills just by talking to your child. Try these ideas:
- Narrate everyday activities like driving or cooking. Hearing unfamiliar words in conversation will help your child understand words in books (“Please hand me the colander so I can drain the spaghetti”). If he does not know the word, explain: “This is a colander. Water drains through the holes.”
- Encourage your child to join family conversations. Ask him questions to help him expand on his answers (“Why do you think so?” or “What else happened?”) He will learn to talk about events and give his opinions.
Real Writing:
If your child does not
enjoy writing have him write a few “real” writing tasks. It is often easier for kids to write about
things that have meaning to them.
Simple Reading Practice:
This was shared with me recently. Here is a way to give your child reading practice and improve their behavior at the same time. Write short notes to your kids and leave them around the house.
Mention to your youngsters’ good behavior – “Thanks for helping with the dishes” or write reminders – “Please hang me up. Signed, Your towel.” Sometimes the notes are about not-so-good behavior – “I was disappointed when you yelled at me. Can we talk about it?” You can also leave notes for treats as well – “Let’s go fly your kite this afternoon!”
Look for unusual places to put the notes, such as on their pillows, in front of the dog’s water bowl, or pinned to the shower curtain. The kids will enjoy discovering the notes and reading them aloud.
Building Vocabulary:
A large vocabulary can turn your child into a better reader and writer. Try these everyday ways to help her learn new words.
- Have
your child write what he remembers about the day – making a new friend, playing
kickball at recess, or having pizza for lunch.
- Let
him choose a favorite animal and write a few facts about it. Example: “Bunnies have a soft fur. They hop fast.”
- Ask
him to write lists of favorite songs, favorite characters in a movie, or ideas
for his birthday.
Simple Reading Practice:
This was shared with me recently. Here is a way to give your child reading practice and improve their behavior at the same time. Write short notes to your kids and leave them around the house.
Mention to your youngsters’ good behavior – “Thanks for helping with the dishes” or write reminders – “Please hang me up. Signed, Your towel.” Sometimes the notes are about not-so-good behavior – “I was disappointed when you yelled at me. Can we talk about it?” You can also leave notes for treats as well – “Let’s go fly your kite this afternoon!”
Look for unusual places to put the notes, such as on their pillows, in front of the dog’s water bowl, or pinned to the shower curtain. The kids will enjoy discovering the notes and reading them aloud.
Building Vocabulary:
A large vocabulary can turn your child into a better reader and writer. Try these everyday ways to help her learn new words.
- Keep your ears open – When you and your
child go places, point out words that people use. Maybe a waiter describes an entrée or the dentist talks about molars.
Encourage your child to figure out what they mean by the way they are
used.
- Go beyond nouns – Help your child add verbs and adjectives to her vocabulary. Sports and games offer opportunities to use action words. Let your child hear you comment on the softball that soars or the runner who sprints. When she sends thank-you notes or greeting cards, suggest descriptive words (a polka-dot shirt, a fantastic birthday).
STORY TIME-- Summer 2014
Reading aloud to your child has multiple benefits for him/her. You will be spending time together, building their reading skills, and help them learn to love books. Here are some suggestions.
Read-aloud Suggestions:
- Read Regularly. Try to read to your child every day. You might aim for 10-15 minutes of bedtime reading for a peaceful end to the day. Tuck read-alouds into the time when dinner is in the oven. Or curl up together with a book when you get home from work.
- Take Turns Choosing Books. Your youngster may want to hear old favorites again and again. Use your turn for new titles and variety (nonfiction, poetry).
- Let Them Participate. Ask your child to turn the pages while you read. Also, she/he can finish sentences that rhyme or fill in words they know. Go slowly so he has time to understand the story and look at the illustrations. He’ll enjoy read-aloud time more if he plays an active role.
- Be Playful. You can use different voices for different characters (a high squeaky voice for a chicken or a deep, booming voice for a horse). Substitute your child’s name, and use family members’ names for other characters. *You do not have to be an expert reader; your child will love it when you read aloud because it’s you!
Read-aloud Suggestions:
- Dragons Love Tacos (by: Adam Rubin) – When a little boy discovers that dragons like to eat tacos, he decides to host a taco party for them. But if a fire-breathing dragon accidently gets a bite of spicy salsa, look out!
- Just a Second (by: Steve Jenkins) – In just one second, a bumblebee flaps its wings 100 times and the earth travels 18½ miles. This nonfiction book will help your child think about time in fascinating ways.
- Bedtime Is Canceled (Cece Meng) – Maggie and her brother write a note to their parents and it blows out the window, lands in the newspaper office and ends up in a headline. Bedtime is canceled and the exhausted children discover time’s value.
The Rewards of Reading
Literacy lessons
Literacy is a lifelong skill and one that is instrumental to a successful academic career. Here are a few “do at home” ideas to assist your child with literacy development.
Phonemic Awareness:
Use these activities to build your child’s phonemic awareness – his ability to hear sounds in words:
Comprehension:
Learning to infer, or “read between the lines,” is one key to good reading comprehension. Consider these tips for helping your youngster make inferences when he reads.
Remember – Any Reading is Good Reading no matter the level of the book or the number of times the students reads the text.
Phonemic Awareness:
Use these activities to build your child’s phonemic awareness – his ability to hear sounds in words:
- Choose a three-letter word, such as cap. Have your youngster substitute different beginning sounds from the alphabet to make new words (lap, map, nap, rap, sap, tap, zap). How many can he think of?
- Pick a long word, and tell her to clap once as she says each syllable. For mozzarella, she would clap four times: moz-za-rel-la.
- Ask your child to say a word without the first sound. Example: “Can you say sit without the s?” (Answer: It)
- Think of a word, and give your youngster a “sound” clue to figure it out. For instance, “I’m thinking of a word for something that you chew. The word has an uh sound in the middle.” (Answer: Gum)
Comprehension:
Learning to infer, or “read between the lines,” is one key to good reading comprehension. Consider these tips for helping your youngster make inferences when he reads.
- Describe the setting. Pick a book, and read a few sentences to your child (without him looking). Leave out words that name the setting. Example: “Sand stretched in all directions…cacti dotted the landscape.” Can he infer where the story is set? If he isn’t sure, give him a hint. (Where do you see lots of sand and cacti?”)
- Look for lessons. Fables are great for reading between the lines. Read one by Aesop, and help your youngster figure out the lesson. For instance, “The Tortoise and the Hare” teaches that even if you are slow, you can win if you just keep going. Have him point out parts that he used to make his inference. (“The tortoise never stopped, and he took one good step after another.”)
- Use prompts. Questions that start with “Why do you think…?” or “How do you know…?” can encourage your child to infer. You might ask why he thinks a character behaved the way he did or how he knows it’s going to snow. Together, look for clues in the book that may help him answer the questions.
Remember – Any Reading is Good Reading no matter the level of the book or the number of times the students reads the text.
