Friday, January 30, 2015

25 Manners Every Child Should Know By Age 9

No one is born with good manners. Manners are really practical applications that have to be taught (and yes, modeled) by the adults in a child’s life!

Sometimes children just don't realize it's impolite to interrupt, pick their nose, or loudly comment that the lady walking in front of them is overweight. If you reinforce the follwing 25 must-do manners, you'll raise a polite, kind, well-liked child.

How to use this list?- You may choose to read it and do a mental check on how many your child is doing well on, and which ones you should be focusing. You may want to read it together with your child, and discuss each one. Or you may even want to print it (totally or partially) and display it in your refrigerator or kitchen door as a reminder to your child (and your household) of what is expected at home. Remember, good manners that are seen at home transcend to other places, and it is NEVER TOO LATE TO START! 

MANNERS
1 . When asking for something, say "Please."

2. When receiving something, say "Thank you."

3.
 Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.

4. If you do need to get somebody's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation.

5. When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief later.

6. The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults.
7. Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome.

8. When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.

9. When you have spent time at your friend's house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.

10. Knock on closed doors -- wait to see if there's a response -- before entering.
11. When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.

12. Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect.

13. Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant.

14. Don't call people mean names.

15. Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel.

16. Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best.
17. If you bump into somebody, immediately say "Excuse me."
18. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public.

19. As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.

20. If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so -- you may learn something new.
21. When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.

22. When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers!

23. Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.

24. Keep a napkin on your lap; use it to wipe your mouth when necessary.

25. Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.


Monday, January 26, 2015

Seven Benefits of Using Routines with Your Kids

1. Routines eliminate power struggles because you aren't bossing the child around.  This activity (brushing teeth, napping, and turning off the TV to come to dinner) is just what we do at this time of day.  The parent stops being the bad guy, and nagging is greatly reduced.

2. Routines help kids cooperate by reducing stress and anxiety for everyone.  We all know what comes next, we get fair warning for transitions, and no one feels pushed around, or like parents are being arbitrary.

3.  Routines help kids learn to take charge of their own activities.  Over time, kids learn to brush their teeth, pack their backpacks, etc., without constant reminders.  Kids love being in charge of themselves. This feeling increases their sense of mastery and competence.  Children who feel more independent and in charge of themselves have less need to rebel and be oppositional.

4. Kids learn the concept of "looking forward" to things they enjoy, which is an important part of making a happy accommodation with the demands of a schedule.  He may want to go to the playground now, but he can learn that we always go to the playground in the afternoon, and he can look forward to it then.


5. Regular routines help kids get on a schedule, so that they fall asleep more easily at night.

6. Routines help parents build in those precious connection moments. We all know that we need to connect with our children every day, but when our focus is on moving kids through the schedule to get them to bed, we miss out on opportunities to connect. If we build little connection rituals into our routine, they become habit. Try a snuggle with each child when you first see them in the morning, or a "recognition" ritual when you're first reunited: "I see you with those beautiful gray eyes that I love so much!" or a naming ritual as you dry him after the bath: "Let's dry your toes...your calf...your knee...your thigh....your penis....your belly ..."  Rituals like these slow you down and connect you on a visceral level with your child, and if you do them as just "part of the routine" they build security as well as connection and cooperation.


7. Schedules help parents maintain consistency in expectations. If everything is a fight, parents end up settling: more TV, skip brushing teeth for tonight, etc.  With a routine, parents are more likely to stick to healthy expectations for everyone in the family, because that's just the way we do things in our household.  The result: a family with healthy habits, where everything runs more smoothly!


Friday, January 16, 2015



As an after school activity for our younger students, the school has been in contact with Bricks4kidz to offer six one-hour, Friday- afternoon sessions beginning on Friday, January 30 from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.

 Following the “We learn-We build-We play” approach, Bricks 4 Kidz after-school classes build on the universal popularity of LEGO® bricks to deliver a high quality of educational play.  For more information on its educational value, visit http://www.bricks4kidz.com/  

Bricks4kidz will be in school once again on Friday, January 23 (from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.) for those parents who missed out on their presentation, and are interested in this fun, educational program.  The cost of this activity is L1,600 for the six sessions plus a Bricks4kidz t-shirt.

If you are interested, watch this short video on what the after school activity is all about!


Friday, January 9, 2015



QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING YOUR
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE

Report cards for the second quarter will be issued this Friday, January 16. These reports are especially important because they provide a summary of your child’s accomplishments in the first half of the school year. They also raise potential red flags in your child’s learning.  Even though these conferences are called for on a need basis, parents are always welcome to schedule a conference with a teacher even if one was not requested.
When sitting down with your child’s teacher, consider asking some of the following questions:
  1. How Is My Child Doing Socially? - How the child functions socially in the class is a topic that should be addressed at a conference, so inquire about your child's peer relations.
  2. How Is My Child Doing Emotionally? - It's also important to ask about your child's emotional health at school. For example, is your child generally happy?
  3. In What Areas Does My Child Need Improvement? - Your child's teacher sees him from a different perspective than you do. Ask the teacher what personal weaknesses your child needs to work on, and listen to the response with an open mind.
4.   4.  Is My Child Performing on Grade Level? - At a conference, parents should expect to see examples of their child's work. Ask how this compares to grade-level expectations, but don't try to compare your child to other students. Each child is different and has different strengths and learning abilities.
  1. What Do These Assessment Results Really Mean? - When it comes to standardized testing and other assessment results, don’t feel bad about asking 'What does this really mean?.
  2. Is My Child Doing His/Her Best? - No matter where your child ranks in relation to grade-level, one important analysis of his performance is whether he's putting forth his best effort. Does the teacher get the sense that your child is slacking off or not focusing?
  3. Does My Child Need Extra Help in Any Areas? - Your child's teacher can tell you if your child is falling behind in a skill or a subject. Armed with that information, you can create a plan with your child to work harder in that area, before it gets too late.
  4. What Can We Do to Provide That Extra Help? -Work with your child's teacher to create a plan to help your child progress well in school. There may be specific things that you can do at home to help, such as hiring a tutor or helping with homework.
  5. (if this is the case) What Accommodations Are Being Made for My Child?
  6. May I Share a Concern? - If you're worried about a situation at school, bring it up with the teacher. Teachers usually appreciate when parents bring an issue to their attention, as long as it's done with respect.
  7. Can You Fill Me in on This Situation? - When your child has complaints about what's going on at school, ask for clarification from the teacher; often your child's side is the only side you've heard.
  1. Can You Tell Me About Your Teaching Method? - If you have an issue with the teacher's method, ask her to help you understand it
  2. Do You Have Any Advice? - If you need help with an issue your child is having, ask the teacher for input. Teachers have worked with dozens or hundreds of students, and many have advice to share.  
Get ready for a parent-teacher conference by making a list of the questions you want to ask. A prepared parent with a positive attitude and an open mind is on the right track for creating a successful, year-long partnership with his child's teacher.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015


WELCOME BACK! 

WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THIS YEAR HAS IN STORE FOR ALL OF US!