Building the relationship of learning between home and school

The other day I was telling my children a story about when I was a nanny, and the parent of the children asked her kids, “What did you do at school today?” while we were driving in the car.  When they responded with, “Nothing!”, She turned the car around, and they freaked out, “What are you doing mom?”.  Her reply, “I’m heading back to school because you shouldn’t be doing nothing all day!”  This was her tactic to get them talking about their school day. It became a family joke and it worked to get them sharing about their school day.

I came across this article at Edutopia last week, 15 Questions to Replace ‘How Was School Today? and loved the questions they asked to get kids talking about their school day.  These questions bring out academics, classroom climate, and social-emotional well being. Talking with your child about their school day lets them know you care about them and what is happening in their world away from you.

Parents and teachers create a partnership in the education of children.  The parent is the first and foremost educator of their child. Parents know their children best so building a partnership with the teacher as a professional in the field of education offers your child the best possible school experience.  When we partner together to teach children, they are better prepared for the larger world. Here are resources for supporting you in building the relationship of learning between home and school.

From Teacher To Parent:  Positive Discipline Tools That Work by Jane Nelsen, Ed.D. & Kelly Gfroerer, Ph.D.

PBS: Parent-Teacher Partnership-Going To School

Power of Positivity:  5 Ways to Encourage Positive Thinking With Your Kids By Elsa Simcik

7 Life Skills Learners Can Benefit From Having Beyond School by Lee Watanabe-Crockett

This Is the Way We Go to School by Edith Baer, Steve Björkman (Illustrator) Children’s book about going to school around the world.

Finally, a few weeks ago we wrote about childhood anxiety and this past week I learned about Mindshift a free app that supports youth, teens, and adults through anxious moments with tailor-made tools.  You may find it helpful if you or your child has anxiety.

Happiness to you while raising your children,

Angie Maxson-DeFeyter