Parent Connections

Before School Visual

Using a visual schedule at home can help children stay on track with their routines. Whether it’s getting ready in the morning or winding down after school, a simple chart with pictures or words allows kids to see what comes next. This encourages independence, helps with self-monitoring, and reduces reminders from adults—making transitions smoother for everyone. Click here for a copy of this visual to edit to meet your needs.

After School Visual

Parenting with Boundaries

Boundaries... when a child is dysregulated, they can be really difficult to hold. However, setting clear and consistent boundaries is one of the most supportive things we can do for our children. Boundaries provide a sense of safety, predictability, and trust — especially when emotions feel overwhelming. Boundaries help children learn how to navigate their feelings, understand expectations, and build the skills they need to regulate themselves over time, leading to happy and healthy adults. While it can be challenging in the moment, staying calm and consistent with boundaries sends the message: "You are safe, and I am here to help you grow through this."

Check out the boundary statements! I’m already eyeing the one I want to try at home this week. It’s always a work in progress. Always remember, every small step makes a difference!

Guide with When and Then

Looking for a simple way to help your child follow through with responsibilities? Try the "When and Then" strategy! This technique pairs a required task with a desired activity. For example, say, "When you finish making up your bed, then we can have breakfast." This positive approach helps children understand that completing responsibilities leads to rewarding experiences. It’s a great way to build routine and accountability while keeping a positive tone! Give it a try and see how it works for your family!

Wow and How Strategy

Dear Parents,

We all want to support our children in navigating challenges and building confidence in their problem-solving skills. The Wow & How Strategy is a simple yet powerful communication tool that encourages positive reflection and growth.

This approach helps children recognize their accomplishments while also developing critical thinking and self-awareness. Start by affirming their actions with a Wow! statement—acknowledging something positive they did. Then, follow up with a How? question to guide them in reflecting on their process and the steps they took to achieve success.

For example:

“Wow! You worked really hard to finish your puzzle! How did you figure out where the pieces went?”
“Wow! You stayed calm when your game wasn’t going your way! How did you manage your frustration?”

By using this strategy regularly, you help your child focus on their strengths, build resilience, and develop problem-solving skills that will serve them throughout life. Try incorporating Wow & How into your daily conversations and watch your child’s confidence grow!

Importance of Routine

Hello Parents!

Does your morning before school or after-school routine feel hectic? Let's talk about how to make your mornings and afternoons easier with a visual schedule for your kids! A visual schedule can help bring calm and order to busy times of the day!

Here’s how it works:

For Mornings: Lay out steps like "Make bed," "Eat breakfast," "Brush teeth," and "Grab backpack." Kids can follow along, knowing exactly what to do next.
For Afternoons: Use it to guide tasks like "Snack time," "Homework," "Chores," and "Playtime." It helps transition from school mode to home mode smoothly.

Visual schedules make routines clear and predictable, which boosts kids' confidence and reduces stress for everyone. Use pictures, words, or both—whatever works best for your child!

Start with a few key steps and build from there. Before you know it, your child will be navigating these routines like a pro! Click here to see a visual schedule that I made. Feel free to use it at your house or adjust to meet your needs. If you try it out, let me know how it goes!

Social Conflict

Social conflicts are a normal part of childhood and an opportunity for growth. They certainly aren't fun or enjoyable. When your child faces conflict, listen without immediately jumping to solve the problem. Ask open-ended questions like, “What happened?” and “How did that make you feel?”

Help them understand different perspectives and brainstorm possible solutions together. Teach empathy by encouraging them to consider how others might feel.

Consider role-playing the situation with your child's favorite toys (superheros, dolls, lego characters, etc.). This gives them practice and the opportunity to use healthy communication.

Remind them it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Avoid taking sides unless safety is a concern, and model respectful problem-solving in your own interactions. Your guidance and support will help them develop the skills to navigate conflicts confidently.

Remember, you can always reach out to us for support! Just like students are in school to learn how to read, write, expand on their Math skills, they are also here to learning how to navigate a variety of social situations.

Connecting with your Child

Effective communication with your child builds trust and strengthens your bond. Start by creating a safe space where they feel heard and valued. Use open-ended questions like, “What was the best part of your day?” to encourage sharing. Get on their level, make eye contact, and give them your full attention.

Regularly set aside time to talk, whether during meals or bedtime, to show that their thoughts and feelings truly matter.

ProKindness Presentation

Attention AWE Parents and Caregivers,

Have you ever wondered how to best support your child through a social conflict situation? Come join us on Monday, October 21st at 6pm in the cafeteria at Jane Ruestmann Elementary for a special presentation by Carolyn Jennings Brown. In this parenting workshop, you will learn how to support your child, talk through the differences between conflict and bullying, and how to build resilient kids who impact their community in a positive way.

Students will also attend a presentation during the school day on Monday, October 21st. Other parents who have attended this presentation have reported it was valuable and a great use of their time. We can't wait to see you there! If you have any questions, please contact our school counselor Amelia Torres.

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