February 2010
Make
Thinking Irresistible with a Few Fun Games
Parent Questions & Answers
Parent
Quiz: How Well is Your Child Doing in School?
Kids Can't Grow Up Responsibly if Parents Don't Show Them How
A Word
From the Director
Ask your
child if he wants to improve his thinking skills, and the answer will
probably be "No way!" But ask if he wants to play games, and the
answer will probably be "Yes!" By planning creative games, you can
have fun and build thinking skills too. For example:
J
Discuss the
day--with a twist. At dinnertime, suggest that your child describe
three things about his day. The twist is that one of them must be
pretend, and other players have to guess which it is. Encourage your
child to include plenty of details. A parent or older sibling can help
your child prepare if needed.
J Gather your
family or a group of friends in a circle. Tell a story, letting each
person add one word at a time. If someone isn't sure what to say, he
can say, "Pass."
To make the game more challenging, ring a bell after nouns and
adjectives. See if the group can name synonyms for them (words with
similar meanings). Happy might become cheerful, chipper or joyful.
Vote for your favorites and use them in the story.
J
Take a few
moments to write down the plot after watching a TV show or movie. Then
read your summary aloud, leaving blanks for your child to fill in.
"The plane landed in _______, where the passengers saw _______."
Accept any answers that make sense. In fact, compliment your child for
being able to provide several answers for one space! If the game is
too hard, ask "multiple choice" questions your child is likely to get
right.
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Q:
Lately, my son has been telling me he hates school. It doesn't happen
every day, but it has happened more than once. I'm not sure how to
respond--he has to go to school, after all. How can I sort out what's
truth and what's exaggeration? And how can I help him without taking
over his life?
A:
Your questions are wise. Not all kids who say they hate school
actually do. Sometimes, they're just looking for attention (or for a
chance to put off homework). And not all parents who get involved with
their child's school issues end up making things better.
Still, if
he's said this more than once, there's probably something going on.
Here's what to do:
Talk to your child. Wait for a time when
he's relatively calm and when you have time to talk. Then ask him
what's going on. "You've said you hate school a couple times. What's
making you feel this way?"
Identify the problem. Listen closely to
what your child says. Does he hate math class? Are kids mean to him on
the bus? Is he feeling overwhelmed because he's in too many
activities?
Help your child find solutions. For
example, if he's struggling in a class, ask the teacher for advice.
Does he need to spend more time on the subject? Is he turning in
homework?
Be positive. Help your child see that
nearly every situation has positives and negatives. Then help him
build on the positives and minimize the negatives.
The school
year is about at the midway point. Do you have a good idea of how well
your child is doing? Do you know where problems could occur (or
perhaps already exist)? Answer yes or no to each question below to
find out:
___1.
Do you talk to your child about the graded tests and projects he
brings home?
___2.
Do you ask your child why he thinks he received certain grades (good
and bad ones) and what he has learned?
___3.
Have you contacted your child's teacher to learn more about subjects
he has problems with?
___4.
Do you check your child's report card when it comes home, paying close
attention to conduct and behavior grades?
___5.
Do you review the results of state tests with your child's teacher?
How
well are you doing?
Each yes
means you are keeping up with your child's progress in school. For
each no answer, try that idea in the quiz.
You probably
know some people who've never quite grown up. They may have jobs, but
never seem to be able to live on their own.
One reason
may be that they didn't learn how to take on the responsibilities of
adult life. Their parents may not have taught them the skills they
need--to balance a budget or to take care of basic life skills like
cooking or doing laundry.
If you want
your child to grow up and live as an independent adult, you need to
start teaching him those skills today. Here are some ways you can help
your child develop the habits that will get him ready for adult life:
ê
Expect him to get himself up in
the morning. Even a first grader can learn to wake up to an alarm.
ê
Teach him to care for his own
clothes. Young children can put clothes in the laundry basket. They
can fold their own clothes and put them away. Older kids can learn how
to do laundry.
ê
Help him manage money. Whether
it's an allowance or payment for extra chores, teach your child the
value of saving.
ê
Enlist his help. Every family
member should do something that helps out the family. Young children
can set the table. Older kids can learn how to prepare a simple meal.
When they do these things, thank them for making your home run more
smoothly.
ê
Volunteer. Make time for your family to volunteer together. Doing
something for others builds responsibility.
Greetings from PCN
The past
weeks have been very busy at work and I seemed to be getting buried
with paperwork and demands on my time. It is when this happens I
find myself less patient with others; often preoccupied with what
needs to happen next rather than focusing on what I am doing and why.
When life’s pressures get too great we may miss the best solutions
because we do not see beyond the situation before us.
Adults are not the only ones who feel the pressures of life. Our
children, too, may feel these pressures and look for ways to reduce
the pressure. Substance use may seem like a solution for reducing the
stress and taking the pressures off. At least, that is what students
may believe when they first start using a substance because it does
create a distraction and a way to forget the stress for the moment.
As parents, we need to know the signs of use and be prepared to talk
with our children. We need to be role models for our children
how we deal with the pressures of life.
I encourage you to visit our PCN and Prairie View websites for
parenting tips and information on how to recognize the signs of
substance use. There are substance abuse/prevention counselors
in our schools who are available to talk about any concerns or
questions you may have regarding substance use. Please check out
these resources. Our goal is to be a helpful resource for you
and your family. The PCN board knows parenting is an important job and
our hope is to provide you with all the tools you need to be
successful.
Darcy Jensen and the PCN Board
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