September/October 2014-Parent Tip On Moving Gracefully Through The Grades
Because our theme this year is "Open To Grace", I thought it would be appropriate to write a parent tip on helping our kids move gracefully through the grades. There are some things you can do to help support your son or daughter in beginning and foraging a new start this year. Each year, there are different expectations so knowing your child's or teen's development (social, emotional, and physical) is an important aspect to helping him or her.
Kindergarten Through 3rd grade
Your child is learning how to be friends with both genders but by the end of this stage, they will separate into same-sex gender groups. The homework is more about establishing a routine. They are going from learning to play and communicate to playing with the goal of learning new information. Towards the end of this stage, play is more competitive and there is a heightened awareness of one's strengths and opportunities for improvement. From ages 5-7 there is a rapid growth of new brain cells. There is a shift in cognitive development to understanding cause and effect.
4th Grade Through Eighth
During this stage, kids yearn to belong...somewhere, somehow. Joining clubs and sports groups becomes very important. They are in the fourth stage of Erikson's psychosocial stages, the Industry Versus Inferiority stage. This is from ages 6-11 and the main question is "How can I be good at something?" They then move into the fifth stage of Identity Versus Role Confusion. This is where they are learning about who they are in relation to others. Academically, when kids move into middle school, the work is not as much concrete learning but more abstract and logical thinking. Helping them become more independent with their materials will encourage organization. Early on, allow your students to learn from their mistakes (forgot book, missed an assignment) so that when they reach 6th-8th grades, they have developed some successful strategies for keeping track of their homework and are more organized.
For some general tips, here are some things to keep in mind for this year:
1. Communicate with the school if there are any family situations that may cause stress for your child.
2. Help your child problem-solve on their own to give them confidence that they can solve problems and learn to make decisions.
3. Set a routine and structure so your child goes to bed at the same time every night and is rested for school.
4. Actively listen to your child or teen and make time for family rituals and quality time.
5. Seek out the advice of your child's or teen's teacher. While you are the expert on your child or teen, the teacher has taught hundreds of children/teens in that age/development and is an expert on that developmental stage.
I would also encourage you to browse through the parent tips and developmental sheets on this website for more information to support your child or teen.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Kindergarten Through 3rd grade
Your child is learning how to be friends with both genders but by the end of this stage, they will separate into same-sex gender groups. The homework is more about establishing a routine. They are going from learning to play and communicate to playing with the goal of learning new information. Towards the end of this stage, play is more competitive and there is a heightened awareness of one's strengths and opportunities for improvement. From ages 5-7 there is a rapid growth of new brain cells. There is a shift in cognitive development to understanding cause and effect.
4th Grade Through Eighth
During this stage, kids yearn to belong...somewhere, somehow. Joining clubs and sports groups becomes very important. They are in the fourth stage of Erikson's psychosocial stages, the Industry Versus Inferiority stage. This is from ages 6-11 and the main question is "How can I be good at something?" They then move into the fifth stage of Identity Versus Role Confusion. This is where they are learning about who they are in relation to others. Academically, when kids move into middle school, the work is not as much concrete learning but more abstract and logical thinking. Helping them become more independent with their materials will encourage organization. Early on, allow your students to learn from their mistakes (forgot book, missed an assignment) so that when they reach 6th-8th grades, they have developed some successful strategies for keeping track of their homework and are more organized.
For some general tips, here are some things to keep in mind for this year:
1. Communicate with the school if there are any family situations that may cause stress for your child.
2. Help your child problem-solve on their own to give them confidence that they can solve problems and learn to make decisions.
3. Set a routine and structure so your child goes to bed at the same time every night and is rested for school.
4. Actively listen to your child or teen and make time for family rituals and quality time.
5. Seek out the advice of your child's or teen's teacher. While you are the expert on your child or teen, the teacher has taught hundreds of children/teens in that age/development and is an expert on that developmental stage.
I would also encourage you to browse through the parent tips and developmental sheets on this website for more information to support your child or teen.
Thanks,
Jennifer