Homework Success Network

If Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, what's a frustrated parent to do???

Katie Couric (on CBS) recently reminded us that sugary cereals are a real problem for many children.    And, since kids want sugary cereals, parents have to take charge….Sure!   Check out Katie's video article below--

 

 

 

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So, now what?  What can you do to change the cereal for breakfast habit?

1. Read the labels of your kids' favorite cereals…choose ones they like but have the least amount of sugar.
2. Know that manufacturers try to fool ya with their labels. When you add up "sugar", "corn syrup", "high-fructose corn syrup", "maltodextrin" there may be more sugar in the cereal than anything else. Look carefully for disguised sugar.
3. Try to change (or expand) your breakfast choices to include more options…i.e. yogurt with fruit, fruit smoothies, peanut butter toast, oatmeal with trimmings, etc.
4. Don't give up. Kids can fight for their right to sugary cereals. Give yourself credit for each and every time you serve them a nutrition breakfast instead.

For more ideas about how to change the sugary breakfast habit, you're invited to visit:
Read http://www.homeworksuccessarticledirectory.com/Article/Healthy-Kids--Good-Kids---Bad-Breakfasts--Egads-/1424

Help for Underachievers

 According to a column  in "The Parent Paper"  at NorthJersey.com  there are quite a few reasons that kids may be struggling at school.  Some may just have "B.A.D."--or simply a  ‘bad attitude disorder."  Some may truly not understand the material being presented.  Some may have developed poor study skills that may not have been required in lower grades and are currently unprepared for the current level.  
 

What's a parent to do?  Jan Wilson's article suggests that a first step is to "Face the Problem".  If "underachieving" is a new behavior for your child, it makes sense to evaluate whether new circumstances are affecting your child's performance.  That means you might start by contacting your child's teacher and maybe the school counselor.  It's possible that your child's belief about school or learning may be intruding upon his/her effort to succeed.   Also, there may be other contributing factors such as depression or bullying at school.

Whenever a child changes his/her behavior or attitudes dramatically, there is likely a reason.  So, if your child is suddenly underachieving, you're invited to read Jan Wilson's entire article at  Help for Underachievers   for more information and suggestions.   'Cause you know…when the goin' gets rough, the tough go 'n' get more information!!! :)  
 

Preventing a Swine Flu epidemic--from within your family

It can be really scary if one of your kids comes home with symptoms of the flu. How are you going to keep it from spreading to your other family members? Following are some unofficial (but logical and practical) ideas you might consider:

Know the signs and symptoms of the Swine Flu (H1N1)--Visit the CDC's website for the latest information. As fever is one of the hallmark symptoms, be prepared to monitor a person who's temperature is above normal. Keep the sick family member home from school or work until the fever is gone! The fever is your sign that the virus is still active--and if it's active, the virus can be transmitted. This is one time when you want to discourage "sharing"--it won't help the sick family member or his/her classmates or the workplace gang.

Isolate the family member as much as possible. Keep your healthy family members away from exposure to the higher concentrations of viruses likely to be in the "sick room" When people want to visit, go outside to avoid healthy folks' exposure to the potentially higher concentrations of virus in the sick-room. Infected family members should either eat meals in their rooms or have a family gathering outdoors --bundle up (if necessary) and socialize in the wide-open air, like a picnic or barbeque.

Climate Change?Start your conversation here...

 What's is "Climate Change" about?  Who does it affect? Can we (you and me) make a difference?  This amazing 12 minute video provides a variety of ways to look at Climate Change…and it can stimulate conversations at home, science projects for school, behavior changes, attitude change and (maybe) even spark a new vision of our planet's future.  It's awesome--Really, it'll strike awe in you and your kids!

It's about geography; look at the word map.  Where are the changes taking place? Who is at risk? How close are some of the dramatic changes to where you live?

It's about science--What's causing climate change? Why is the ocean "rising"? Where are the birds going and why?  Why are some animals doomed to extinction?

It's about math--If these changes have happened in the recent past, how much time do we have to stabilize it? What's our carbon footprint?

It's a perfect subject for critical thinking.  If…then thinking,  Consequences and Action options.  What can each of us as individuals do to slow climate change down.

It's an interesting and engaging topic for writing an essay, article or paragraph. 

For older kids, this could also be an opportunity to discuss the politics of Climate Change.

This brilliant and beautiful video is an incredibly valuable teaching tool for all the suggestions above!  And it'll move you.  It might break your heart…but it also provides positive notions and options that we can use to "get on it".

Hassle-Free Homework? Is it possible???

According to an article by Barbara Minton in at  Natural News.com  it is.  She proposes that parents can benefit (and so can kids) by returning the responsibility of homework back to the actual person who is affected--the kid!  It might seem counter-intuitive to willy-nilly hand the reins to the very person who is often reluctant to press on.  But, she offers some great ideas about how (and why) parents should do it anyway.   Following is a list of the primary steps that Ms. Minton suggests:  

1. Decide whose Homework it is
2. Think about what Homework REALLY is
3. Align yourself with your child
4. Let your child make the decisions about homework
5. Keep to the time schedule--no matter what!
6. Talk to your child
7. Have faith in your child

These steps might seem simplistic.  And #4 (Let your child make the decisions about homework) seems to undermine a parent's obligation to press kids to do their homework.   But hang in through to the end of her article.  Her primary point seems to be that Homework is important…but less important than your relationship with your child.   For more information and further insight about how to actually take these steps toward Hassle-Free Homework, check out Barbara's entire article:  Seven Steps to Hassle Free Homework for You and Your Child   

Oh, And let me know what you think about her approach...Please leave me a comment.

Sizzle, Sizzle….my Kid's Having a Homework Meltdown!

Homework can be pretty daunting sometimes.  But Dr. Yvonne Fournier has an insight that I think is really valuable--it's about time.  

I don't mean "finally, we've got an answer".  Nope, it actually IS about tick-tock "TIME".  

According to Dr. Fournier, kids can be put off and discouraged if they think that homework is going to take "FOREVER!".  Her suggestion is to break it down into chunks so a frustrated student can discover that it'll take less time than he imagines.  For the kid in her Q-and-A article at the Ventura County Star, she suggests setting a timer for how long the kid thinks it'll take.  Then he'll be encouraged to discover that it takes much less time when he gets into it…and even willing to tackle the next chunk of the assignment. 

Oh, and beware, she doesn't think it's a good idea to insert "breaks" into the homework task between chunks.  Instead, with the timer set (and the kid determined to beat the clock), kids are more likely to stick to the task and actually get done quicker--Giving them more TIME to play.  YAY! 

To read her entire article you're invited to visit  Help a Child who has a Homework Meltdown  (original article source: Scripps Newspaper Group

Parents--Know thyself

Being a parent is full of successes and pitfalls.  Have you noticed?  Some days you feel like the "windshield" with power and purpose and sometimes you're sure you're the "fly" wondering how you got splatted.  There is something to be said for realistically looking at your strengths and weaknesses as a parent so you can legitimately pat yourself on the back when you should...and also so you can identify where you need to actively learn and practice new skills.

Wanna find out (very scientifically) where you are as a Mom?  This isn't a pass-fail type quiz.  Instead, it's an opportunity to unemotionally evaluate (not judge!!!) your parenting style. And at the end of the quiz, you'll find some valuable tips and clues about how to strengthen any "weaknesses" that are identified.  Sound smart?  Just visit Parenting Style Quiz and follow the directions. 

"Just the Facts, M'am!" --Oh, and some tips and suggestions, too!

  Just in time for the new school year, check out the latest issue of the Homework Success News.  This issue offers ideas about how to make this year's Back-to-School transition the best ever, links to info about back pack safety, a quicky giggle (always!) and some ideas about how you can ensure that you've got the tools you need to promote confidence (which leads to competence, don'cha know!) 

So enjoy this Back-to-School Newsletter and pass it along to friends and family who might also enjoy the tips and ideas. 

Good luck with Back-to-School!

Judy Armes, MS

"The Homework Coach" 

Promoting Confidence--an important role for the Parents of Struggling Students

"No child I have ever met has gotten up in the morning and said to him or herself, 'I think I'll work hard at disappointing my parents, ignoring my teachers and just goof off today'," says Debi Nason, center director for Roseville, CA's Huntington Learning Center  . 

Lots of kids will be going back to school this year with bright shiny faces ready to take on the new challenges.  And, some of them are still remembering the difficulties of their last school year.  The hard part is to avoid a well intentioned comment like: "I'm sure you'll do better this year than last year".  Instead of being encouraging (promoting "courage") reflecting on poor performance last year can add a sense of expected defeat.

So, this year here's an idea.  Clean the slate.  When you send your child off to school, expect the best.  Then be vigilant!

Create a consistent method to confirm homework is completed.  Frame your question to promote a conversation--avoid opportunities for your child to give you a "yes" or "no" answer.  This can be accomplished with open-ended questions: 

• "What part of your homework was easy?"
• "What part was challenging?"
• "What would happen if you got special help from the teacher?"
• "Where do you think you can find the information you need?"

And when you can, check in with your child's teacher to assess your child's progress.  If you discover that homework is not completed per the teacher's standard or expectations, discuss with your child HOW you can help (not "IF").  On the other hand, if your child  get rave reviews, pass the praise along.  Make sure your child knows you're interested, involved and enthusiastic about his/her successes and ready to help if there's a hint of difficulty. 

For more information about  the role of Confidence in promoting a more successful school year, check out an article at examiner.com    "Confidence is Key to a Great School Year"  

And, for an extra boost for your own confidence to help your child's school experience,  check out information about how to Promote Confidence using "Affirmations"    

Storing "good stuff" to find later ...when you have time

As it gets closer to the beginning of school, many of us might be hanging on tight-fisted to the waning summer vacation.  The desire to keep stretch the summer might make it difficult to begin planning for the new school year and all of the busy-ness that comes with the transition. 

I've been writing articles and blog posts about "Homework" all summer long;  but I'm wondering how much interest there is right NOW!--when homework isn't an issue, yet.  When the school year begins, you might want to catch up on articles and blog posts you don't have time to read right now.  Because I come across sooooo many websites and articles I want to revisit, I've created a system to "remember" where to look.

 

Keeping a list of hot sites to get back to (when there is time)

    Here's a strategy I use: I create a Word Document & save it to my "desktop" so I can find it and use it easily. I name it "Stuff to Read".  In that document I've created a table with two (2) columns and many rows. The first column is narrow enough to just type in a date; the other spans the rest of the page (so url's will fit in it).   Then as I come across and article or blog post I want to get back to, I copy and paste the url including http://www.--- (address) into a line in my table. Be sure to press "Enter" immediately after the url so it will become an active link from Word.   [so it's easy to know which site I REALLY want to visit,  I also type in the main point or title of the article/post. 

This is what my table looks like:

Info comes and disappears soooo fast on blogs, twitter and the internet.  This is my way to avoid missing a good thing when I'm rushed.  Then, when I have time I can review the list and pick-and-choose to read  my leisure (like parents have "leisure", EVER!).  Try it out J