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Partner with your child’s middle school

Research shows that kids benefit when parents actively support education. To do this:
• Do activities that reinforce learning.  Plan a trip, for example, and estimate costs like gas and food.
• Set limits on how much TV your child watches. Make sure programs are age appropriate.
• Talk with your middle schooler about his day. Show interest [...]

‘SQ3R’ helps with studying

SQ3R is a method that helps children remember textbook material. It stands for:
• Survey. Look over the material briefly.
• Question. Write a question for each section heading.
• Read. Find the answers to your questions.
• Recite. Say the answers aloud.
• Review. Take time to review your work.
Source: Peggy Gisler, Ed.S. and Marge Eberts, Ed.S., “Building Study [...]

Use several discipline strategies with your adolescent child

Discipline is most effective when parents have several methods to rely on. Try:
The Rules Strategy. Together with your child, list a few essential rules he must follow. State the consequences for breaking them … and then follow through.
The Domino Strategy. When it’s safe, let your child see the logical results of his actions. For example, [...]

Back to School Night at ACS

Tonight is “Back to School Night,” for ACS. These nights, at the beginning of the year, give teachers an opportunity to introduce themselves and for parents to see what is in store for the upcoming year. Here is a link for a handout that I like to give parents explaining my role on [...]

Responsibility – not always easily taught

Responsibility is not always easily taught to our children.  Parents need to find ways to give adolescents opportunities to build self-confidence and handle difficult chores around the house or community.
Revamp your child’s chores
If it’s been a while since you updated your child’s chore list, it may be time to reassess. Taking responsibility at home can [...]

Beat the Summer Break Backslide

There’s nothing like two or three months away from pencils and books to take kids’ minds off school! Still, it’s important to get your child into a school-year rhythm as soon as possible so she doesn’t fall behind. To help with this:
• Reestablish routines. Did she rely on a certain after-school routine last year? Get [...]

I’m BACK!

We have safely arrived at our next overseas assignment in Abu Dhabi.  The blog needs a major overhaul since I last blogged earlier this summer.  It might take while, but I hope to continue to improve and polish up the current site with more  valuable information for our new school community, at the American Community [...]