Friday, February 25, 2011
Parents Taking Charge in Education: Seven Things Parents Desire and Expect from their ...
Parents Taking Charge in Education: Seven Things Parents Desire and Expect from their ...: "Seven Things Parents Desire and Expect from their Children’s Schools by Mrs. Dorothy Barron Parents who are effectively involved in the..."
Seven Things Parents Desire and Expect from their Children's Schools by Mrs. Dorothy Barron
Seven Things Parents Desire and Expect from their Children’s Schools by Mrs. Dorothy Barron
Parents who are effectively involved in their children’s education have certain expectations of their children’s schools. Following are at least seven things most Parents desire and expect:
Ÿ Their children to be taught by qualified educators and that their children learn – a qualified educator is one that knows his/her curriculum subject (s), can teach the subject and students can learn from the educator. He/she challenges students, but do not overwhelm them. It is better for students to obtain a foundation in which to build upon than to cram and pass rote standardized test with little to nothing to show for after 12 to 13 or more years.
Ÿ Rich and enriching learning experiences for their children - learning can be fun and engaging; there are a plethora of materials and resources now available from many sources.
Ÿ Their children to feel good and confident about their learning experiences within the classroom - there should be at least one subject or activity that excites and energizes each and every child so that he/she is eager to come to school.
Ÿ A Return on their investment (ROI) - after investing in a child’s education and sending a child to school for 12-13 years, students should exit school with skills to enable them to financially support themselves and proceed with more formal learning should they desire.
Ÿ Safe and secure school environments - both are imperative; without either learning is adversely affected.
Ÿ A staff and faculty that genuinely care about their children, their well-being and education – one becomes most effective with students when you show and they know that you genuinely care about them, their well-being and education.
Ÿ A staff and faculty that welcome Parents – there are numerous ways to welcome and involve Parents within your school and the education process. When they get there, make it a pleasant experience.
As a parent, are there other things that you desire of your child/ren’s school(s)?
Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author
Parents Taking Charge in Education: http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com
E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com
Friday, February 18, 2011
Parents Taking Charge in Education: 6 Ways to Better Assist Your Child and His/Her Edu...
Parents Taking Charge in Education: 6 Ways to Better Assist Your Child and His/Her Edu...: "Parents Taking Charge in Education: 6 Ways to Better Assist Your Child and His/Her Education by Mrs. Dorothy Barron “Learning is a process s..."
6 Ways to Better Assist Your Child and His/Her Education by Mrs. Dorothy Barron
Parents Taking Charge in Education: 6 Ways to Better Assist Your Child and His/Her Education by Mrs. Dorothy Barron
“Learning is a process similar to walking; each child begins when he/she is ready” (Mrs. D. Barron)
1. Start Early
A. Get to know your Child- the best way to do so; spend time with him/her. If such is difficult, simply learn to observe your child; some of the most important aspects about your child can be ascertained by simply observing and listening when your child is not aware of your doing so. You may begin to view his/her talents, abilities; hobbies; things and people that matter most to your child, etc., and etc.
B. Set positive examples- a child does what he/she sees (in the Parent/Adult), not necessarily what he/she is told (by the Parent/Adult); enough said!
C. Lay off the Pressure as well as unreasonable expectations- too much pressure will only produce neurotic and antisocial young adults if they reach the stage of adulthood. Allow your child the opportunity to dream, play and grow at a child’s pace.
2. Get Involved and Stay Involved
A. Your involvement begins at conception and remains at least until the child reaches the legal age of caring for self.
B. If you wait until your child is between 3rd and 5th Grade, your child may not be able to catch up academically; wait until high school, your child cannot catch up.
C. Getting involved and staying involved can save you, the Parent much trouble and heartache.
3. Become an Informed Parent
A. Know where you child/ren is/are
B. Know your child/ren’s friends and acquaintances
C. Know what is occurring in their world- in and out of school
4. Educate Yourself about the Education Process
A. Do you know what to expect of an effective school?
B. Do you know what is expected of your child in education?
C. Do you know the chain of command in Education, the process of holding a school conference and/or how to handle unresolved conflict between you and educators?
5. Parents, Do not Create Unnecessary Conflict among Yourselves on School Issues
A. Different Parents have different expectations and desire different things for their children; understand this fact and you can move forward.
B. Constant conflict divides and impedes; therefore, seek remedies.
C. Exercise Choice in Education; the goal is to seek the best educational setting and method of teaching for the child.
6. Ensure that Your Child has a Solid, Well-grounded Foundation in Education
A. Can your child read, write, spell and complete basic Math equations which entail adding, subtracting, multiplication and division?
B. Give your child the cereal box and ask him/her to read information on the box. Ask your child to write a short paragraph (5-10 sentences) on his/her favorite subject or hobby. As for Math, allow your child to assist you with balancing your checkbook or budget (using a blank sheet of paper) for this month.
C. Provide some outside the classroom fun activities or experiences for your child. One can learn from any activity or experience.
Incorporating the above strategies can assist you with helping your child become a well-rounded, well-grounded, educated, responsible, achieving and independent adult.
Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author
Parents Taking Charge in Education at http://mrsdbarron.blogspot.com
E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com
Friday, February 11, 2011
Parents Taking Charge in Education: Parents Taking Charge in Education announces: *Pa...
Parents Taking Charge in Education: Parents Taking Charge in Education announces: *Pa...: "Parents Taking Charge in Education announces: *Parents Taking Charge in Education Series #1 Parental Mini-Guide Books by Mrs. Dorothy ..."
Friday, February 4, 2011
Parents Taking Charge in Education: Parent-School Conferences by Mrs. Dorothy Barron
Parents Taking Charge in Education: Parent-School Conferences by Mrs. Dorothy Barron: "Parent-School Conferences by Mrs. Dorothy Barron At some point each school year, you will be invited or your presence requested at a school ..."
Parent-School Conferences by Mrs. Dorothy Barron
Parent-School Conferences by Mrs. Dorothy Barron
At some point each school year, you will be invited or your presence requested at a school conference for your child or children. Do you prepare for your child’s conference(s)? Perhaps, your response is don’t I just show up? You can, but being prepared, confident and in charge assists with eliminating anxiety and frustration (excerpt from Parents Taking Charge in Education Series: How to Hold a School Conference? Written by Mrs. Dorothy Barron).
On today, Let us discuss Parent-School Conferences; there are primarily three types:
Ø General School Conferences- invitation for all parents to meet faculty and teachers and obtain important information about the school and your child/ren’s curriculum. Many schools offer primarily two conferences per year- one at the beginning of the school year and during the second half of the school year during Spring.
Ø School Initiated Conference- the school (teacher, administrators and/or others) requests your presence at a meeting
Ø Parent Initiated Conference- the Parent requests a meeting with the school.
Parent-School Conferences for some parents cause some trepidation; such to an extent is normal. Some Parents however exemplify nervousness, dread, anxiety and even anger when having to attend their child’s Parent-School Conference(s). The range of emotions may be due the following:
Ø Some Parents have not been inside a school since graduation.
Ø Child’s negative actions/behavior reflects the Parents’ and/or their parenting skills.
Ø Parent’s own personal school experience(s) as a student and the school/principal reminds the parent of his/her own past school experiences, infraction, problems, etc.
Ø Inferiority Complex- lack of education, language barriers, socio-economic challenges
Ø Foreign/Hostile Territory- Some parents do not feel they are part of the decision making process or have any rights when it comes to their children’s education and/or schools.
Ø Some Parents lack understanding and knowledge of the education process and do not feel confident enough to make informed decisions about their child/ren’s education.
Ø Interruption to Parents’ busy schedule or activities
Parents, ever attended a Parent- School conference and
Ø left clueless; you were unclear or did not understand what had taken place
Ø too many issues were covered as well as those you thought previously resolved
Ø you did not remember what actions were to follow the conference
Ø You felt inadequately prepared
I will offer three tips to assist you with Parent-School Conferences; they have been taken from Parents Taking Charge in Education Series: How to Hold a School Conference? Written by Mrs. Dorothy Barron to share with you on today:
Ø INTRODUCE YOURSELF
Ø Introductions are important! Parent, introduce yourself and if, in a school conference for your child, give his/her name(s). Request the name of the individual(s) you are conferencing with if they do not introduce themselves. Have you ever been in a conference only to discover you were talking to the wrong person or the individual(s) had mistaken you for someone else’s parent? I repeat; introduce yourself! (Parents Taking Charge in Education Series: How to Hold a School Conference? Written by Mrs. Dorothy Barron)
Ø ESTABLISH THE NATURE Of THE CONFERENCE
Ø Obtain the reason(s) for the conference and issues to be discussed prior to the conference to allow you, the parent to prepare; if, not before, certainly at the beginning of the conference. Such avoids misunderstandings and assists with keeping the school conference on track (Parents Taking Charge in Education Series: How to Hold a School Conference? Written by Mrs. Dorothy Barron).
Ø THE KEY IS SELF-CONTROL: ISSUES v. EMOTIONS
Ø Losing your temper or self-control often leads to little if anything being accomplished and issues and concerns at hand, forgotten ((Parents Taking Charge in Education Series: How to Hold a School Conference? Written by Mrs. Dorothy Barron).
Stay tuned; next week you will be provided with information about some specific tools that can assist Parents with becoming more informed, knowledgeable, and educated about the education process, which can enable you to better assist, become more confident, an informed decision maker and more involved in your children’s education and/or schools.
Mrs. Dorothy Barron, Author
E-mail: barron.dorothy@yahoo.com
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