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Good to grow! News, tips and resources parents can use - Parenting - Brief Article
Stress-Less Strategies: Getting Involved at Your Kid's School
Is yours a familiar face at school events? Volunteering in the classroom, going to PTA meetings or making appointments to meet with teachers shows support for your child and can help smooth her path. Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, a Harvard professor of education and author of the new book The Essential Conversation: What Parents and Teachers Can Learn From Each Other (Random House), says teachers and administrators seem to give more attention to children whose parents are involved. Her advice on making your presence felt in ways that count:
Make the most of informal meetings. What you learn during those interactions that go on at the edges of school--a casual chat with a teacher, seeing your child mingle with classmates--can be informative. |
Don't skip back-to-school night. Parents must take part in parent-teacher conferences, which offer a platform to advocate for kids. "Parents have special knowledge--of who your child is, her needs, gifts, challenges--that teachers need to be aware of," she says.
Be proactive. Ask the teacher to send home examples of your child's work each week so you can be plugged in to his progress. Request lesson plans so you have an idea of the topics the teacher is covering in class. And encourage the teacher to call you if there's ever a concern or a problem. For more ideas, visit scholastic.com.
How Much Sleep Does Your Child Need?
More than he may be getting, say experts at the Better Sleep Council, which recommends nine hours as a general guideline. Sleep deprivation can lead to poor concentration, low energy and a reduced ability to fight off illness. Some ways parents can help kids get their zzz's:
Set a regular bedtime. And don't be moved. Stick to it. (Even teenagers need guidelines.)
Create a before-bed ritual. Try having your child take a warm bath, read a book, shut off the TV or computer--anything to help prepare her to enter the land of nod.
Curb the extracurriculars. If your child's involvement in after-school activities or a part-time job is cutting into precious sleep time, scale back.
Watch the caffeine. Caffeine in sodas, teas and other beverages can stay in our system up to seven hours. Caffeine is also present in chocolate and even in ice cream.
Check the mattress. A hand-me-down mattress--too old or small or worn out--won't offer the support your growing child needs.
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