I don't know how much children's programming you've watched over the past few years, but I know I've seen my fair share. Maybe your kiddos are stuck in the land of Paw Patrol, Dora the Explorer, or Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Maybe their taste runs more mature, like My Little Ponies or Phineas and Ferb (did I really just call those shows "more mature"?). Or perhaps they've been sucked into the land of teen drama, either the innocent programs on the Disney Channel, or graduating to darker fare on the CW.
But you know, as much media as we all consume (and obviously, that goes way beyond the world of television - extending to music, phone apps, video games, and social media), how much does it help us understand our children's world? What do we actually learn about them from it?
The answer? Not really all that much. Because your child's world is not on the television, in social media, or in video games. If it is, time for a regroup and refocus, folks. Your children's world is first and foremost the life they lead at school, what they do with their friends, and any activities they do in addition to all that.
So how do you connect to that? Well, I'm no expert, but I did talk to some people who are, and here's the three actions you can take that they all highlighted as fundamental to understanding the world in which your child exists.
Talk to your child...then listen. No matter your work schedule, no matter your home situation, experts agree you should take time to talk to your child every day. For some kids, getting information on their day is an easy task - they're talkers, and all you have to do is pose a question and sit back and listen. For other kids, encouraging information out of them may take more time. But the more you ask, the more you'll learn, which will open doors to knowing what questions really loosen those tight-lipped kiddos.
"Communication with your children is key," says Evan Tims, a guidance counselor at Cross Timbers Elementary in Edmond. She emphasizes that we need to teach ourselves better communication, and how do we do that? Practice. And remember, communication is a two-way street; we have to listen as well.
Connect to the adults who know your child's world outside the home. As we discussed last week, parents who volunteer at their children's schools have a better idea of what their children's daily environment is like. And kids want you there, says Cordell Ehrich, principal of Edmond's Cimarron Middle School, adding, "Face time is important,"
But don't forget to think outside your child's school. Coaches, church leaders, and parents of your children's friends also see your child outside your own home, so taking time to open up a conversation with these particular people will help you not only understand your child's world better, but it will also give you a contact in case of any type of emergency or problem.
Spend time, time, and more time together. When I spoke to Michael Stranz, Edmond father of four grown children, he emphasized that he could never have spent enough time doing the day to day stuff with his kids. As a parent, I think it can sometimes be hard to remember how incredibly fast this is all going to go when you're in the thick of things. But from somebody who's oldest just started full-time school, I have begun to understand what Stranz means.
You only get one shot at this. As parents, we all have work obligations, and we definitely need to take some time out for ourselves. But remember, your child will grow so, so fast. People with grandkids tell me this over and over. And you have to enjoy every moment. I was reminded of this when I took my two-year-old to the zoo just two days ago, and he jumped up and down like Tigger when he saw the bears. Another woman with older children in tow laughed at my son's antics. "I remember that age. Now mine care most about the vending machines."
A good reminder. So soak it all in, friends, because it's going by so quickly already.
And remember to check in next week for the final segment of perfectly imperfect parenting - weathering rough waters.
Showing posts with label Edmond Public Schools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Edmond Public Schools. Show all posts
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Pefectly imperfect - The power of presence
This week, I attended "Meet the Teacher Day" with my daughter and spent ten days filling out paperwork. Okay, okay. Not ten days. Ten minutes really, but a lifetime when one's two-year-old has decided to make the classroom his own. Thank god for the husband running interference. Otherwise, my first impression on teacher day might not have been so sunshiny.
In fact, I was so distracted by just, well, everything, that I forgot to do one very important thing.
Volunteer.
You see, I had learned something from the interviews I had conducted for my topic this month. During August, I've been driving this blog down the road of imperfect parenting (it's a road I know well, unfortunately). As we all know, we don't get road maps, self-help manuals, or instruction booklets for those kiddos of ours. Sometimes it's hard to know if we're doing everything...or anything...right.
But when I talked to some local experts, I was surprised that some simple steps (although not necessarily always convenient in our busy lifestyles) are critical, while other things (like, you know, actual things) are less important to our children. And being a presence in your child's school life was something that was emphasized over and over again.
"Parents who volunteer have a better feel what their child's environment is like," says Cordell Ehrich, the principal at Cimarron Middle School in Edmond. It's easy to get involved, he adds, simply by stopping by the school office or emailing a student's teacher. And he stressed the importance of doing this at all stages - elementary through high school.
And opportunities abound not only for the parents who can come in during the day, but for parents who can't. Again, it usually includes you reaching out to the school to see what might fit.
"Kids want you there," says Ehrich. "They may not act like it, but they do."
In fact, kids seeing a relationship built between their teachers and parents creates respect, says Guidance Counselor Evan Tims at Edmond's Cross Timbers Elementary. Also, a parent's presence at a school shows students how much their parents care about them and their education, she asserts.
And no matter what, whether you volunteer or not, the importance of communication with your child's school cannot be stressed enough. "Generally, teachers and counselors check email daily, if not more often," says Tims, "so do make an effort to communicate with them." This too can lead to a better understanding of your child's world.
Remember, these days will come and go more quickly than you think. When I asked Edmond resident Michael Stranz, father of four grown children, if he could think of any time he wished he had been more involved, he mentioned he could never be involved enough in the day-to-day stuff. "I think as parents (of young children), we walk that line of being too over-bearing, but as they grow into young adults and we look back and reflect, those are the times we miss the most."
Words from the wise to the wise.
Check in next week for more on how you can connect to your child's world!
In fact, I was so distracted by just, well, everything, that I forgot to do one very important thing.
Volunteer.
You see, I had learned something from the interviews I had conducted for my topic this month. During August, I've been driving this blog down the road of imperfect parenting (it's a road I know well, unfortunately). As we all know, we don't get road maps, self-help manuals, or instruction booklets for those kiddos of ours. Sometimes it's hard to know if we're doing everything...or anything...right.
But when I talked to some local experts, I was surprised that some simple steps (although not necessarily always convenient in our busy lifestyles) are critical, while other things (like, you know, actual things) are less important to our children. And being a presence in your child's school life was something that was emphasized over and over again.
"Parents who volunteer have a better feel what their child's environment is like," says Cordell Ehrich, the principal at Cimarron Middle School in Edmond. It's easy to get involved, he adds, simply by stopping by the school office or emailing a student's teacher. And he stressed the importance of doing this at all stages - elementary through high school.
And opportunities abound not only for the parents who can come in during the day, but for parents who can't. Again, it usually includes you reaching out to the school to see what might fit.
"Kids want you there," says Ehrich. "They may not act like it, but they do."
In fact, kids seeing a relationship built between their teachers and parents creates respect, says Guidance Counselor Evan Tims at Edmond's Cross Timbers Elementary. Also, a parent's presence at a school shows students how much their parents care about them and their education, she asserts.
And no matter what, whether you volunteer or not, the importance of communication with your child's school cannot be stressed enough. "Generally, teachers and counselors check email daily, if not more often," says Tims, "so do make an effort to communicate with them." This too can lead to a better understanding of your child's world.
Remember, these days will come and go more quickly than you think. When I asked Edmond resident Michael Stranz, father of four grown children, if he could think of any time he wished he had been more involved, he mentioned he could never be involved enough in the day-to-day stuff. "I think as parents (of young children), we walk that line of being too over-bearing, but as they grow into young adults and we look back and reflect, those are the times we miss the most."
Words from the wise to the wise.
Check in next week for more on how you can connect to your child's world!
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Perfectly imperfect - Being the best parent you can be
Once upon a time, I dreamed of being a perfect parent. I would rock my baby in a perfectly decorated nursery, and she would immediately drift off to sleep. I would beam as my child executed perfect manners, making him the teacher's pet. Finally, my child would run across the stage to grab his or her high school diploma, shouting "I got into Harvard! With a full ride scholarship!"
And then, cold hard reality hit me in the face.
Being a parent is one of the best jobs in the world. It's also one of the most challenging, unnoticed, and frustrating ones. For example, if you sit in a restaurant (movie theater, airplane, etc.) and your child behaves, no one notices. If your child has a nuclear meltdown, the raised eyebrows and frowns of strangers abound, and you are effectively relegated to "poor parenting" status. The problem is, your child might be both angelic and horrendous on different days (or even the same one).
They're kids.
So how do you know if you're doing a good job? How do you know if you're doing a poor job, or a fantastic one? Is there a parenting measuring stick? How do you succeed at parenting? How do you survive it?
Well, I'm the first to tell you I won't be earning any parenting gold stars in the near future. Sometimes I yell. Sometimes I feed ice cream for dinner. Sometimes I buy a toy just for the heck of it, and sometimes I really, really just want my kids to go to school and leave me alone. But on the same note, I love, love, LOVE my kids. I'd do anything for them. I know this, because every time I see a big dog, I jump in front of my kids (and not only am I scared of big dogs myself...I also kind of like my face). But how do I make sure I'm giving my children what they really need from me?
Well, in the interest of answering those questions, I've again leaned on some local experts, including a school principal, a guidance counselor, a family counselor, and a parent of four grown children. One thing they all emphasized is the importance of communication at any age, but they also had a great deal more to share. So here's the lineup for August...
August 14 - The power of presence. During my interviews, I found that a prevailing theme, in addition to communication, appeared to be simply being a presence in your child's life. The local experts share their thoughts on how to do just that.
August 21 - Connecting to your child's world. What does it really mean to be an involved parent? Is it all the chauffeuring? Leading the Girl Scout troupe? Attending every practice? I'll share some tips on how you can make sure you're connecting with what matters to your child.
August 28 - Weather rough waters. Finally, no one is perfect. Our children will have difficult moments. Some will have more challenges than others. How can you, as a concerned parent, work with your child and others to help overcome misbehavior? We'll tackle the question head on.
So stay tuned! It promises to be an interesting month. But at the end of it, I hope you know what it means to be a perfectly imperfect parent.
And then, cold hard reality hit me in the face.
Being a parent is one of the best jobs in the world. It's also one of the most challenging, unnoticed, and frustrating ones. For example, if you sit in a restaurant (movie theater, airplane, etc.) and your child behaves, no one notices. If your child has a nuclear meltdown, the raised eyebrows and frowns of strangers abound, and you are effectively relegated to "poor parenting" status. The problem is, your child might be both angelic and horrendous on different days (or even the same one).
They're kids.
So how do you know if you're doing a good job? How do you know if you're doing a poor job, or a fantastic one? Is there a parenting measuring stick? How do you succeed at parenting? How do you survive it?
Well, I'm the first to tell you I won't be earning any parenting gold stars in the near future. Sometimes I yell. Sometimes I feed ice cream for dinner. Sometimes I buy a toy just for the heck of it, and sometimes I really, really just want my kids to go to school and leave me alone. But on the same note, I love, love, LOVE my kids. I'd do anything for them. I know this, because every time I see a big dog, I jump in front of my kids (and not only am I scared of big dogs myself...I also kind of like my face). But how do I make sure I'm giving my children what they really need from me?
Well, in the interest of answering those questions, I've again leaned on some local experts, including a school principal, a guidance counselor, a family counselor, and a parent of four grown children. One thing they all emphasized is the importance of communication at any age, but they also had a great deal more to share. So here's the lineup for August...
August 14 - The power of presence. During my interviews, I found that a prevailing theme, in addition to communication, appeared to be simply being a presence in your child's life. The local experts share their thoughts on how to do just that.
August 21 - Connecting to your child's world. What does it really mean to be an involved parent? Is it all the chauffeuring? Leading the Girl Scout troupe? Attending every practice? I'll share some tips on how you can make sure you're connecting with what matters to your child.
August 28 - Weather rough waters. Finally, no one is perfect. Our children will have difficult moments. Some will have more challenges than others. How can you, as a concerned parent, work with your child and others to help overcome misbehavior? We'll tackle the question head on.
So stay tuned! It promises to be an interesting month. But at the end of it, I hope you know what it means to be a perfectly imperfect parent.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Kids & Technology...what's happening in your neighborhood school
This month, we've been covering the fascinating topic (at least for parents) of how technology is being used by our kids and how it is affecting their everyday life. Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with some experts in the Edmond Public School system. Like many of you, I came up through school with dry erase boards--you know, with the squeaky markers--and large-as-a-house computers, so I was curious about how things are now.
Well, I discovered we have moved far beyond squeaky markers and super-sized computer monitors. In fact, it's probably good to take a look at what students have at their fingertips, and how teachers are using it, just so you'll have a way to understand what you're asking when you poise that age-old question to your child: "How was your day?"
Smart Boards (and tablets) are in the house. "We have projectors and Smart Boards in every classroom," says Richard Anderson, Director of Technology for Edmond Public Schools. Although I had seen one of these used in a UCO classroom not too long ago, Anderson explained the technology in a way this Smart Board-challenged gal could understand: "It's similar to a large computer touch screen. There's software designed to use for different classes, and it provides a way for the students to do interactive exercises."
And that's not all. Tablets are being implemented into the curriculum as well. And even though Edmond Public Schools doesn't have a one-to-one ratio for tablets, that's actually seen as a good thing, freeing up funds to purchase even better technology as it becomes available. Because, as we know, it changes fast.
Everything's online. By this, I don't just mean that every campus now has WiFi (because they do), or that your child's grades are at your fingertips (because they are), but that so much support materials are now online. Also, you can manage your child's lunch and library accounts, and even communicate with teachers and administration electronically, helping to de-complicate our very busy lives..
"Technology allows our teachers to assist students outside the classroom," states Stacie Vincent, Instructional Technology Consultant for the school system. She mentioned that teachers can upload videos containing lessons that help students work on challenging projects or even lectures the student may have missed. Also, within the classroom, the teacher can take students places they've never been, like the Great Wall of China, through images and videos available online.
Teachers are taking to it, and students reap the benefits. Kids are at school to learn the subject matter, not technology per se, says Anderson, and that's why teachers are provided professional development to learn how technology can help them teach the curriculum, not distract from it. Vincent adds that things like clickers (or "smart response clickers," which allows students to take interactive classroom quizzes) permits teachers to immediately observe where students are struggling, instead of the time lapse between taking a quiz and grading it. Other resources, like online polling and social media, have educational opportunities as well, and Vincent says Edmond teachers have been finding great apps to help them teach their subject matter.
There are challenges, but the school is tackling them. "Implementing technology is a more gradual process than people think," says Anderson. "Teachers must educate themselves first." So, Edmond Public Schools has a curriculum team that helps with professional development and is always on the lookout for ways teachers have discovered using technology not just to facilitate the education process, but to enhance it.
"This is a great way for the school system to simulate what is going on out in the real world," adds Vincent. At the end of the day, technology gives kids more resources, which is a good thing. "We need to speak their language and keep up with the changes, without sacrificing critical thinking,"
And really, isn't that the challenge for us all?
Stay tuned for more next week, when we talk about the impact of technology on your child's lifestyle!
Well, I discovered we have moved far beyond squeaky markers and super-sized computer monitors. In fact, it's probably good to take a look at what students have at their fingertips, and how teachers are using it, just so you'll have a way to understand what you're asking when you poise that age-old question to your child: "How was your day?"
Smart Boards (and tablets) are in the house. "We have projectors and Smart Boards in every classroom," says Richard Anderson, Director of Technology for Edmond Public Schools. Although I had seen one of these used in a UCO classroom not too long ago, Anderson explained the technology in a way this Smart Board-challenged gal could understand: "It's similar to a large computer touch screen. There's software designed to use for different classes, and it provides a way for the students to do interactive exercises."
And that's not all. Tablets are being implemented into the curriculum as well. And even though Edmond Public Schools doesn't have a one-to-one ratio for tablets, that's actually seen as a good thing, freeing up funds to purchase even better technology as it becomes available. Because, as we know, it changes fast.
Everything's online. By this, I don't just mean that every campus now has WiFi (because they do), or that your child's grades are at your fingertips (because they are), but that so much support materials are now online. Also, you can manage your child's lunch and library accounts, and even communicate with teachers and administration electronically, helping to de-complicate our very busy lives..
"Technology allows our teachers to assist students outside the classroom," states Stacie Vincent, Instructional Technology Consultant for the school system. She mentioned that teachers can upload videos containing lessons that help students work on challenging projects or even lectures the student may have missed. Also, within the classroom, the teacher can take students places they've never been, like the Great Wall of China, through images and videos available online.
Teachers are taking to it, and students reap the benefits. Kids are at school to learn the subject matter, not technology per se, says Anderson, and that's why teachers are provided professional development to learn how technology can help them teach the curriculum, not distract from it. Vincent adds that things like clickers (or "smart response clickers," which allows students to take interactive classroom quizzes) permits teachers to immediately observe where students are struggling, instead of the time lapse between taking a quiz and grading it. Other resources, like online polling and social media, have educational opportunities as well, and Vincent says Edmond teachers have been finding great apps to help them teach their subject matter.
There are challenges, but the school is tackling them. "Implementing technology is a more gradual process than people think," says Anderson. "Teachers must educate themselves first." So, Edmond Public Schools has a curriculum team that helps with professional development and is always on the lookout for ways teachers have discovered using technology not just to facilitate the education process, but to enhance it.
"This is a great way for the school system to simulate what is going on out in the real world," adds Vincent. At the end of the day, technology gives kids more resources, which is a good thing. "We need to speak their language and keep up with the changes, without sacrificing critical thinking,"
And really, isn't that the challenge for us all?
Stay tuned for more next week, when we talk about the impact of technology on your child's lifestyle!
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Kids & Technology...better get on board because the train is chugging
A few weeks ago, I got a tablet for my anniversary. I think it's pretty cool. I mean, I'm faintly aware that it possesses some rather neat capabilities. At least, that's what I've seen from afar.
Why? Because since I got it, my children have kidnapped it.
They play puzzles, matching games, and princess dress-up. They paint, take care of virtual puppies, and help Curious George fire meatballs out of a cannon. My daughter likes to use Word to write the alphabet in crazy fonts, and my son enjoys matching sounds to various animals and vehicles (emphasis on the vehicles).
So that's good, right? I mean, what kind of parenting am I practicing here? The progressive kind? The lazy kind? What?
Well, I'm in the same boat with a lot of other folks. According to a recent study by Common Sense Media, almost 75 percent of U.S. households with kids 8 years of age or younger have access to a computer at home, almost 70 percent have high speed internet, and about 10 percent of homes use ereaders, with the number of those devices and tablets growing. In fact, I would imagine tablets will soon be the norm, and with kids now having access to them in many school systems (including Edmond Public Schools), tablets may become as much a part of our everyday life as the television, computer, and smart phone.
So, parents, I'm going to do some research on your behalf. For the next few weeks, I'm going to get down to the nitty gritty on the subject of technology and kids, and I hope to help you figure out where you stand on the spectrum of how much is too much.
July 17 - We'll be discussing the current trends in technology, figuring out what kids have access to these days and how quickly things are changing.
July 24 - I'll relay some great information from the Edmond Public School system on the current state of technology used in the classrooms and what it is doing for your child.
July 31 - Is there a dark side to all this? How about the impact on children's activity levels? Their social interaction? What is out there that will combat the possibly negative aspects of a world gone tech?
So stay tuned. And I'm going to go find that tablet while the kids are otherwise occupied!
Why? Because since I got it, my children have kidnapped it.
They play puzzles, matching games, and princess dress-up. They paint, take care of virtual puppies, and help Curious George fire meatballs out of a cannon. My daughter likes to use Word to write the alphabet in crazy fonts, and my son enjoys matching sounds to various animals and vehicles (emphasis on the vehicles).
So that's good, right? I mean, what kind of parenting am I practicing here? The progressive kind? The lazy kind? What?
Well, I'm in the same boat with a lot of other folks. According to a recent study by Common Sense Media, almost 75 percent of U.S. households with kids 8 years of age or younger have access to a computer at home, almost 70 percent have high speed internet, and about 10 percent of homes use ereaders, with the number of those devices and tablets growing. In fact, I would imagine tablets will soon be the norm, and with kids now having access to them in many school systems (including Edmond Public Schools), tablets may become as much a part of our everyday life as the television, computer, and smart phone.
So, parents, I'm going to do some research on your behalf. For the next few weeks, I'm going to get down to the nitty gritty on the subject of technology and kids, and I hope to help you figure out where you stand on the spectrum of how much is too much.
July 17 - We'll be discussing the current trends in technology, figuring out what kids have access to these days and how quickly things are changing.
July 24 - I'll relay some great information from the Edmond Public School system on the current state of technology used in the classrooms and what it is doing for your child.
July 31 - Is there a dark side to all this? How about the impact on children's activity levels? Their social interaction? What is out there that will combat the possibly negative aspects of a world gone tech?
So stay tuned. And I'm going to go find that tablet while the kids are otherwise occupied!
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