The Reading Railroad is a free newsletter for parents, caregiver's and teachers.
Fun reading ideas & activities for preshool and primary grade children
Learn to Ride a Bike How to teach your child to ride a bike in less then two hours
without getting hurt!
1. Success for the School Year
2. August Winner of the Car Train Drawing
SUCCESS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR
Building self-esteem in your child is the foundation of learning success. The beginning of a school year is a New Year, a time to celebrate a new beginning. So this is the focus of this month's newsletter.
Celebrate Your Child!
Whether your child is in daycare, preschool, traditional school or is homeschooled, here are some tips to make this an outstanding year:
Celebrate your child!
Your child is a precious gift given to you to cherish. Celebrate your child's uniqueness. Don't compare your child to others. Sit back and enjoy his/her gifts. In the big picture... life's success is really determined by the quality of our relationships, not the grades that our children receive in school or what their teacher says about them.
On a daily basis tell you children something great about them. Compliment the itty bitty successes they do in life.
Your smiles lights up the room. WOW! You jump so high!
You are a great reader!
I am proud of you.
Thank you for being such a great listener.
Thank you for helping to put away your toys.
Thanks for helping your sister.
Isn't it great that you did your homework without being asked.
Overwhelming, studies have shown that when parents and teachers focus on what children do "right" they become confident, achieving adults who focus on the positive aspects of life. As the years go by you will hear your child say,
"This looks hard, but I will do it anyway."
"I can do it!"
"Next time I will do it differently and get different results."
"Look Mom/Dad, I made a plan to accomplish this."
Today I received an amazing email from my nephew who married my niece.
Their first child was born with Down's Syndrome. The child has Leukemia. (I did not know children born with Down's have a 40% chance of developing this form of cancer.) My sister-in-law was and is an extraordinary mother who constantly told her children they were special and encouraged their belief in themselves. For this reason I would like to share this story with you today, for it illustrates how positive parenting lives on forever!
My nephew decided to do a tri-athelon and donate all proceeds to The Leukemia Foundation, but a couple of months ago he had to have his gallbladder removed. So my niece, who was never really into sports as she grew up, decided to participate in the running portion.
Here is what was in the email: Joan crossed the finish line today in Virginia Beach, VA in under 3 hrs. We are so proud of her. The dedication and determination she has shown us during her months of training have be nothing but admirable.
Focus on Solutions
Focusing on solutions rather than problems or blame eliminates a lack of self-esteem in your child and instead, shows your child how to solve problems / challenges. Isn't that really what a successful life is all about and what you want for your child?
Does this sound like you?
You forgot your homework again - what is wrong with you?
How come you always allow the other kids to bully you?
Why can't your be like your older brother?
Solution orientated approach
You look frustrated because you forgot your homework. What could you do to get your homework assignment? What could be a solution for remembering your homework the next time?
Brainstorm solutions together. Brainstorming means getting out a piece of paper, writing solutions without judgment and choosing the best solutions that solved the problem / challenge. I would suggest giving a couple of solutions but leave most of the thinking to your child.
Also, the first question above will probably be easy and does not have to be written down. The 2nd will have a long term affect and is best to brainstorm on paper.
When things are really difficult and cause a great deal of fear, frustration, sadness or upset it is often best to take a breath and wait until an emotional upheavel subsides. Why? Because the brain is in the midst of operating from its emotional state and cannot be in a cognitive learning state.
Is your child finding it difficult to learn to tie their shoe or tell time? Then back off for a while.
They may be not ready for this skill. My grandson found it difficult to learn to read compared to his older brother who taught himself how to read at 3-1/2. Then, towards the end of 1st grade something happen and he became an extraordinary reader and was put in the gifted program.
What we know about the human mind and psyche is really at it's infancy. The best we can do is support our child in the moment and get help for them when they cannot achieve at their grade level.
We found that the reason our son could not tie his shoes was because of his learning disabilities. I cannot tell you how upset I was with myself for putting pressure on him. After that experience I learned a life lesson and am passing it on to you.
So, continuously brainstorm new solutions when challenges occur. Find the root of the challenge instead of blaming the behavior. Take a breath!
In summary:
A quote from my good friend, Mariaemma Pelullo-Willis at Learning Success Institute,
"Remember, school is not life. In the end, in the real world, it won't matter whether your child could tie his/her shoes, conquered dangling participles or doesn't get Algebra... what will matter is whether your child believes in himself, whether she is confident about her own abilities and what she CAN do. Be your children's Learning Success Coaches and bring out the stars that are shining inside!"
If your child is in school and would like to learn his / her online learning style then look at Mariaemma's online learning profile. I personally answered the questions and it was 100% accurate.
