Principal's Page
Helping Your Child With Writing:
Learning should not stop once the student closes the school gate, but continue at home. This helps children see the relationship between what they learn in class and their everyday life experiences . The ways in which parents can help motivate and encourage children are different for each area of study, and it takes some practise to think of exercises that will be useful in the home. Parents do not need to be experts to help their children; the only prerequisite for a good teacher at home is a desire to help your child .
Motivating your child to write
The hardest thing for students to understand is often the diversity of writing . We write for many different purposes, with a variety of styles dependent on our target audience. The parent's note to remind their child to feed the dog before school will be markedly different in form and tone to a letter to a company complaining of bad service.
One way of helping your child understand this is by including them in any writing done around the home. Talk to your child about why you are writing something and who you expect to read it. This also helps students see writing as something purposeful , rather than simply a task to appease a teacher.
It's one thing for a child to understand why someone writes, and another to motivate them to be writers themselves. Here are some tips to try:
- Read your child's writing , or have them read it aloud to you. Be sure to always offer praise, such as 'I like the way you have described this,' or 'You have made a very clear point here.'
- Avoid being too critical of spelling errors . Instead, praise your child for attempting new, more challenging words, and explain how to spell them for next time. Some children may also enjoy looking misspelled words up in a dictionary.
- Talk to your child about books they have read . Ask questions that make children think, such as 'What ideas did the book present?' and 'What do you think the author's purpose was?' This helps students think about the connection between what is written and why.
- Read and talk about writing your child brings home from school .
- Praise neat, legible handwriting .
- Word games help develop spelling and vocabulary. Some fun games to try are I spy , Scrabble , Boggle , Scattegories , and crossword puzzles.
Different techniques may encourage your child to write while at home. These include:
- Having your child label things they design or make.
- Compile a photo album or scrapbook with your child and have them write captions for it.
- Encourage your child to keep a diary of holidays, dreams, or private thoughts.
- Suggest writing letters and stories . Children can do this independently, or you could collaborate with them.
Parents can also help support their child with homework writing tasks. Parental involvement will help children remain motivated, produce their best work, and ensure the task is completed on time.
- Help the child understand why the task has been given . Ask him or her to talk about new projects and what is expected of them.
- Children love stationery . A variety of papers, pens, and art supplies to be used just for assignments will help keep the task fun. Computers can also help add some excitement into assignment preparation.
- Assist younger children in using a range of reference materials . Dictionaries, thesauruses, CD-ROMs, library books, and the internet, all have much to offer any writing task.
[Source: 'Helping your child to read, write, spell and speak', New South Wales Department of Education and Training]
10 Ways To Help Your Children Succeed:
1) Talk with your children - talk early and often, provide them with information, feedback, a sympathetic ear, good advice based on family values, support rather than criticism. They will come to you throughout their lives for guidance if their early experiences are positive.
2) Set high but realistic expectations. No-one knows better than you your children's true abilities. Note their strengths and talents and gently encourage them. Identify where they need assistance and find help for them. Assist them in setting realistic self-expectations.
3)Build your children's sense of self-worth. As children grow and make choices they will make mistakes. Knowing they have your unconditional love and support whatever happens will help them pick themselves up and start again when things do go wrong.
4) Keep your children healthy. Children who do well at school come to class rested, well-fed and emotionally prepared. Children who are well nourished in every respect have the foundation for success.
5) Support learning at home. Involvement in your child's learning starts at home. Create the conditions for good learning - books, computer, quiet study area, library membership, time set aside for homework, interest in progress and reports.
6) Communicate with school. Teachers who never hear from parents often assume they are not interested. Attend meetings. Read notices and newsletters. Offer help; Join the P&C. Send polite notes to your children's teachers.
7) Encourage a spirit of inquiry. Show your children what a wonderful place the world is visit parks, museums, art galleries. There's plenty of free entertainment and exploration available. Curiosity about the world around them is the first step to children's thirst for knowledge.
8) Build friendships. Children want to fit in and feel they belong. Welcome their friends to your home. Show your children how to be good friends. Teach them the difference between true friend ship and popularity.
9) Keep your children safe. Identify risks and hazards and show your children how to avoid them. Children develop a sense of security when they are taught what to do if they are in danger.
10) Speak well of teachers and schools. Children learn their attitudes from you and will like and respect their teachers if they see you do the same.
Getting Involved In School - Some Ideas:
- Meet the teacher
- Visit the school
- Go to parent-teacher interviews
- Join the P&C or School Board
- Read the school website
- Get to know the principal
- Read the school rules and policies
- Volunteer your time and talents
- Attend school events
- Have fun
(Source - Principals' Digests Volume 11 Number 5)
