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Elementary News
October, 2006

Learning to be Unspoiled & Self-Reliant
Setting Goals Builds Motivation
Teach the Importance of being Respectful
A Word From the Director

Learning to be Unspoiled & Self-Reliant

Your child is supposed to be doing homework. But she pouted so much you let her watch TV instead.
It may be a minor hassle for you at home. But when a teacher faces 30 kids, each of who expects to get her own way every minute, things can get out of hand. Sooner or later, people have to learn that they can’t always get to call the shots. One of the best ways to help your child be more successful in school is to help her realize that the world does not revolve around her. Here are some tips on raising an unspoiled child:
Teach your child how to deal with disappointments that arise in life. It’s not your job to make your child happy every minute.
Teach your child to think about other people. Unspoiled kids know that they can’t always put themselves first. Give money to or volunteer for a charity your child chooses. Ask questions like, “How would Jill feel about that?”
Teach your child about limits. Parents aren’t always popular. Your child does not need you to be a friend. Your child needs you more to help her learn about limits.
Ask yourself, “Am I raising my child to be self-reliant? Am I teaching her to live on her own one day?” If you always give her money when she wants something, she will not learn to live within her means.

Setting Goals Builds Motivation

Maybe he wants to be on the honor roll this year. Or perhaps he wants to be the president of his class.

Helping kids set goals is the first step to achieving their dreams. Here are some tips:

Be specific. Saying, “I want to earn good grades” won’t get the job done. Help him be specific, “I will review spelling words for fifteen minutes every day.”

Think high. The higher the goal, the higher the performance. There are limits, of course. Help your child set realistic, achievable goals.

Write them down. The difference between a dream and a goal is the written word. Post them where he’ll see them often.

Review goals regularly. Help your child get into the habit of looking over his goals each day. Remembering that he has set a goal of passing the next math test with a B will make it easier to tackle math first.

Teach the Importance of being Respectful

What’s one thing you can do that will almost guarantee your child will be successful in school and in life? Teach him respect.
Respect isn’t the same thing as obedience. Your child may obey rules because he’s afraid of what will happen if he doesn’t. But he should also be respectful because he knows it’s right.

The easiest way to teach your child how to be respectful is to treat him and others with respect. To model respect:

Tell the truth. If you make a mistake, admit it. Do what you can to fix it and then forget it. Your child will soon do the same.

Follow rules. Don’t drive through a red light—just because you don’t see a police officer. After all, character is what you do when nobody’s watching.

Explain the reasons behind your rules when possible. If your rule is “No TV until after dinner on week nights,” it’s because that’s when homework gets done, and homework is important to help your child do better in school.

Be polite. If you say “please” and “thank you,” your child will probably use these words without thinking, too.

Greetings from PCN

We’re all back in the school year routine. It seems impossible that we’re already picking out Halloween costumes and goodies for young goblins. But even when the days fly by, we need to keep some important goals in sight. One thing we’d like all families to keep in mind is the important role adults play in the way children learn to make decision.
Children are watching and listening to find out how you make choices. And no matter the age, no child is too young to hear a strong message discouraging underage drinking. You may believe your child is still years away from facing that decision, but every year younger children are presented with the temptation and opportunity to try a drink. We strongly encourage you to share your feelings and thoughts about the issue with your child – clearly and often.

Enjoy the fall!
Darcy Jensen and the PCN Board