Parent Tips
Parent Tips (good for both preschool parents and high school parents) (remember preschool parents are letting their kids discover independence for the first time...high school parents are soon to have their children off to college where they will really be independent.)
Parents, please keep this quote in mind (I found it in one of my favorite magazines called "THE WEEK"):
"The best moments of childhood--the memories that stay with you into adulthood--are ones where your parents aren't there. They are moments you experienced truly for yourself. In Homesick and Happy, author Michael Thompson writes about a study where people were asked about their happiest childhood memory; more than 80 percent name a parent-free moment. So, as a parent you should want to push your kids out of your space to where they can rack up these 80 percent experiences--to explore, take risks, and try new identities. We are not invited, which is a paper-cut echo of the truth at the heart of parenting: You're doing it best when you're teaching them to leave you"
~John Dickerson in Slate.com
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(In other words, let the kids experience risks and failure...that is how they learn best. I promise, as teachers, we will help them to learn from them. One of the most important things we do here in South Windsor School District is to reflect--whether it is from successes or from failures and how we can do better the next time. Even we teachers do it each day. So allow your child to do it as well.
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Hit the Farmer's Market for a scavenger hunt: Visit your local farmer's market with the whole family. Divide a list of vegetables that includes family favorites and new additions and let everyone search for their veggies. Once everyone has returned, use the fresh produce to prepare dinner together.
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Are you concerned about what you share online about your child? Read this article or listen to the podcast. It might enlighten you.
Sharenting-what to share online about your child
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A great resource of tips about stages of development:
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This is a great resource for both parents and teachers about fine motor development.
Here are a few videos to help get the kids on their way to writing:
