As A Parent - What Can I Do To Help? How Much Should I Help?
We all want our children to succeed and feel great about themselves. Below is a list of a few "Do's" that will help your family navigate the Exhibition.
Do Facilitate Answers - Don’t Give Them Away!
Avoid giving your child the answer when they are stuck or frustrated, instead ask them the following questions (naturally not at the same time):
Why do you think so? Can you give me some more details?
What are the key facts?
Where is your evidence?
What are the pros and cons?
Let’s look at the other point of view...
Do you have enough information? Where could you find more/different information?
How can you solve the problem? Is there a tool on the wiki?
What is it you need to do? What are the steps? Let’s number them together....
What is the most important thing to do right now?
What are your goals for today?
Do Find Alternatives - Don’t Do It For Them!
If you find yourself picking up the pencil/highlighter/pen/keyboard... put it down!
Unless your child needs scribing (for various learning needs - they might need time for writing for example), they should be doing the written parts themselves. If the writing/typing process is becoming extremely painful, try recording them talking about their ideas on the computer using a sound recorder. Most Smartphones and tablets have a sound recorder app which can be very handy.
Do Model Problem Solving
Most importantly, try not to become too stressed or frustrated yourself. The Exhibition is challenging for all involved, including parents. The calmer and the more focused on finding solutions you are, the better the students are able to cope with the situation.
Do Ask For Help - Don’t Keep Quiet!
Get in touch with your child's teachers straightaway if you have a question or concern about how your child is doing in the Exhibition, early intervention will help solve a lot of headaches further down the line!
Do support home language
Talk about the Exhibition in your home language to support understanding. Find resources in the local community. Visit the local library or take your child on their very own field trip to a museum or event.
Be mindful of attendance
Avoid taking a vacation on regular school days. Allow your child some downtime in the evenings to process the information from the day. Consider pausing juku and other after-school studies. Make sure someone from the family can attend the Exhibition evening on Thursday, April 28th. Please contact us if this is not possible.
(adapted from Jeff Hoffart)