Jacquelyn Sowers held a workshop at CMS September 9, 2003, sponsored by Exeter HealthReach. The following information was a part of her presentation and she was kind enough to share it with us and allow us to post it here.
What can parents and caring adults do to help children make this year the best ever, academically, personally, and socially? This session will highlight important things to know about growing up in the '00s. What are the characteristics of a healthy learner? Are there things we can do to boost brain power? What are some practical strategies for encouraging academic achievement, promoting positive attitudes, managing social pressures, and encouraging healthy choices? Beyond these "basics," how can we help children put terrorism and other traumatic events into perspective? Together we can build our parenting skills and leave inspired and equipped with practical tools to make this the best year yet!
Some Things Parents Should Know:
- It's Not Easy qrowing Up in the 'OOs...
- Common Barriers to Academic Achievement
- Defining the Healthy Adolescent Learner
- The Importance of Taking the Long View
- Health and Learning: Twin Goals of Parenting and Education for the 21st Century
What Can Adults Do to Boost Kids' Achievement, Health, and Personal Success?
1.Orchestrate an active family life With lots of intergenerational conversation (dinner table dialogues, no TV days, board game nights, family read-alouds, etc.)
2. Attend to environments (healthy diet, physical activity, "accouterments", calendar/planner, a place to study, color-coding, "baskets by the door", etc.)
3. Help Your Child Do Well on Standardized Tests
4. Reduce risks by talking about the "Big Six": Alcohol, Drugs, Driving, Sexuality, Violence, and Depression
5. Help your child find a special interest or talent; know more about or become better than anyone else at something
6. Help your child develop a positive, concrete vision of self in the future - The New 4 Rs
7. Join with other parents and teachers to learn, discuss norms, share parenting strategies, form the supportive community that all children need to thrive (It does take the village to raise the child) - Skill Practice for Parents - Examples
8. Support the school's efforts to promote health as well as academics
9. "Put on your own oxygen masks first..."
When Our Worldview is Shaken: Helping Children Deal With Terrorism and
Other Traumatic Events - A New Parenting Challenge -
Tips for Helping Children Cope
© 2003, J.G. Sowers, Sowers Associates, One Park Avenue, Hampton, NH 03842