Time to start thinking...summer activities for those older kids

For the past two weeks, I've given you a pretty big list of the summer activities Edmond has to offer the littlest of kids as well as gradeschoolers. So, I now offer you some ideas for those kids on the brink of independence. Yep, middle and high school kids can definitely benefit from keeping busy this summer.

Cordell Ehrich, Principal at Cimarron Middle School, agrees, saying that not only is keeping older kids engaged during the summer important for keeping them out of trouble, but it’s an opportunity for them to explore new areas of interest to them.

But that's not the only reason you should keep kids involved. For older kids, Ehrich says connecting with peers is critical. “For middle schoolers, the social aspect is especially important to them, so summer activities give them the opportunity to have connected with more friends and have more connections on that first day of school."

So without further yapping, here's some possibilities.

Explore leadership...The Edmond YMCA will offer Camp E.L.I.T.E. (Empowering Leaders In Teamwork and Education), a program for youth 13 - 15 looking to grow as responsible leaders while building confidence. Campers will learn teamwork, service, child guidance, and decision making skills through activities and mentoring during the summer.

 Enhance skills...Both the Edmond and Deer Creek School systems offer camps for athletics during the summer, as well as driver's education. Check with the district to see what is available for your child. Also, the Coffee Creek Golf Course, Edmond Racquet Club, Arctic Edge Ice Arena, and Edmond Soccer Club offer private camps and lessons to improve skills.

Learn something new...Kids this age still like to learn new things, and sometimes undiscovered talents and interests can make their way into the limelight during summer camps or classes. The Fine Arts Institute of Edmond and Upstage Theater allow teenagers to explore their artistic sides, while the Francis Tuttle Summer Quest Classes offers everything from babysitter training to crime investigation skills to culinary arts (and much more)!

Do something good...There's no better time than the summer to devote to volunteering. Not only is it great experience and a college application builder, but volunteering gives teens the opportunity to discover the many ways they can make a difference already. Whether it's helping with vacation Bible school, getting involved with a charitable organization, training for a fundraising race, or helping out at a homeless shelter (like the City Rescue Mission), kids get the biggest attitude adjustment when they realize just how much they have.

Get experience...And speaking of gaining experience, summer is a great time to fill out a job application, get experience with job interviews, and earn some money. Learning how to balance work and play can be a great lesson the summer can teach any of us, but especially at an age when independence must be earned.

Well, I hope that helps! I'm a few years off from this age with my own kids, but the wheels are already turning.

Let's do homework! Teachers' wise words on getting the job done...

I don't know much about inspiring my kids to do homework (I mean, is anyone ever inspired to do homework?). However, I do know my parents' "take no prisoners" approach caused me to be meticulous about completing assignments, something I carried with me into my college years. An approach that worked well for me--that continues to work well with me--is delayed gratification. Once I get the hard stuff out of the way (studying, cleaning house, paying bills, etc.), then I can play. Simple, yes. But it doesn't work for everyone.

So, in order to seek out methods for helping today's kiddos, who carry technology around like a vital organ, I talked to a group of friends who-are-teachers to get their suggestions on how to motivate children to take homework seriously, as well as learn habits that will last a lifetime (or at least through college graduation). I found myself impressed, amused, and yes, even surprised at what they suggested.

Don't make it a fight. Kids buck orders. Really, I think most of us do, independent creatures that we are. Give your kid a choice: do your homework now, or give up something fun later (outside playtime, television, games, or an activity). If they choose to play outside first, say, "Okay," but give them a limited amount of time with the caveat, "If you did this now, you wouldn't have to worry about it the rest of the night."

Setting aside the time. Kids often have short attention spans. One teacher friend suggested setting a timer for homework in fifteen- or twenty-minute intervals and giving a certain amount of free time (or a "break") in between. She also suggests a rewards-based system, including sticker charts for younger children and changing the Wi-Fi password and giving it to older children when they complete their work.

Different strokes for different folks. And continuing on the rewards track...as adults, we're motivated by a paycheck and free time, am I right? Well, kids of all ages are also motivated by material rewards ("the paycheck"), as well as free time and autonomy. Find out what makes your child tick (TV time, computer time, privileges, special prizes, etc.) and then use it as a reward when they accomplish what needs to be done. Sometimes, this means balancing passions with challenges. For example, one of my teacher friends, Katie Scott, explains her motivation techniques for her elementary school class and her own children:

"Motivation is more about creating motivation within the child...what are they driven by? I try to motivate my own kids and students by finding their passions. I look at their learning styles--how do they learn? If reading is the most difficult, but they love together time, read with your child, take turns on each page. If writing is difficult, create some fun with a squishy toy to help keep their hands relaxed."

This is where your parenting skills and knowledge of your kid come in handy. And sometimes, like most things, the process may take some trial and error. 

And if all else fails...

Early bird gets the worm. If your kiddo didn't complete his or her work the night before, drag them out of bed early to finish. 'Nuff said there. I'm certain this would have worked for me as a kid too. I mean, who likes to get up early? The only con is that you have to get up early too...

And at the end of the day, tell your children why homework is important. Maybe they can't see the value in American History or Algebra II, but remind them what they can expect by working hard in school. And, if you must, pull out the M&Ms. :)

Play by the rules and don't sing the school bus blues

School is officially back! And all the parents say, "Let's get this party started." Take the kids to the curb, put them on the big yellow bus, and blow a kiss, because it's learning time!

Now, I have little, little ones, so my experience with the school bus consists of, well, nothing, unless you count the times I try to race it around the neighborhood on my morning runs (spoiler alert: I always lose). However, in the interest of fulfilling the duties of a proper mommy blogger and because I've seen some nasty footage of bus behavior on television (yikes!), I decided to take on the issue of how to deal with certain school bus situations, which, I hope, can result in a more positive experience for everyone.

Fortunately, Steve Nola from Deer Creek Public Schools, gave me some sound advice for both newbies and bus-riding veterans.

If you're new...

• Map it. Make sure your child knows where the bus stop is and how to get home from there. A practice walk is never a bad thing (and burns calories--bonus!).
• Go over the rules. Sit down with your child and talk about appropriate behavior. You know the Ben Franklin saying: "An ounce of prevention..."
• There are no stupid questions. Kids should know that they are always welcome to ask the driver any question.
• Hi! My name is... "New kids might want to introduce themselves to the driver," Nola says, "as that makes it a little less uncomfortable being in the strange cheese box." (By the way, LOVE that name for the bus. My preschooler is already using it exclusively.)

And for everyone...

• If you can't do it in your parents car...it's probably a no no on the bus too. This includes fighting, wrestling, swearing, touching another student, screaming, and inappropriate conversation. "Ninety-nine percent of the bus drivers will tell you that any behavior that takes the eyes of the driver off the road, longer than one to two seconds, is unacceptable," Nola adds.
• If you're child is having an issue with another student...don't hesitate to speak to the driver. They can address the issue and take it further, through the appropriate channels, if need be.
• If you're having an issue with the driver or transportation in general...take it to the head of transportation. It's best to avoid the middle man and communicate directly to someone who can handle the situation. If that doesn't solve the problem, someone in charge of communicating with parents can address it sooner than the superintendent, so check out your school system's staff to find who might be your best advocate.

At the end of the day, parents who encourage their kids to behave with respect to their bus driver and kindness to the other bus riders are doing their kids a big favor. Because we all know that school isn't just about learning book knowledge. It's about teaching your child how to live life in an effective, positive, successful way.

Getting kids ready part two - First day jitter fixers

Last week I had some talented teachers give you the lowdown on preparing your kids to ease back into the school year. And you're grateful, I know. ;-) But whether your kiddo is bouncing off the walls with excitement to go back or facing you down with a pouty lip, saying, "I'm not feeling well," you know the first day of school can be high on the anxiety charts for even the most fluttery social butterfly.

Well, after cornering my usual posse of moms, as well as digging around in my friends' childhoods (at least, I think they're still my friends after frequent interrogations!), I've got a few suggestions for making the very first day of school a winner.

1. Talk to me. That's right, talking makes the world go 'round (not money, in case you were confused). Nothing's better than reminding your kids how much fun they had last year, how much fun they'll have this year, and bringing up any special times that will have them thinking: "This school thing--it's not so bad."

2. How do you do? Most schools have an open house or similar event to give your children the chance to be introduced to their teacher and classroom before the first day. A familiar face goes a long way to reducing social anxiety, so don't skip this.

3. The more the merrier. Why can't the first day be a special event? Maybe coordinate with a best friend's parent so your child can arrive at school with a buddy. Two's company!

4. Make a note. Be that crazy mom or dad who puts a note in the backpack or lunchbox. Get creative and go beyond the sweet "Love ya," and write about your favorite summer memory or why you think your kid is so awesome. Boosting confidence or reminding your children how much they mean to you makes the world a more manageable place for them.

5. Talk to me - again. And when they get home...listen. Ask questions that demand more than a "yes" or "no" answer, and look for the emotions under the words. With a little patience, even the most reluctant child may eventually spill the beans about anything that bothered him or her. I mean, I still call my momma after a challenging day. At any age, a hug and words of encouragement are priceless.

Getting kids ready to go back to school – From the mouths of your friendly neighborhood teachers

Over the summer, many of us parents have been absorbed in chauffeuring the kids to summer camps, swimming lessons, and the snow cone stand down the street with the awesome macaroon flavor. Who has time to think ahead?

But already, signs in Target and Walmart scream “BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES,” and suddenly, we look at our kids, standing in chewed-up flip flops and chocolate ice cream-stained T-shirts, and realize we’d better start thinking about bus schedules and number 2 pencils.

Thankfully, we have some great teachers in the area to give you a head start on firing those kids up for another year. I've included their full interviews (just click on the name) to a series of questions that should give you some answers for making the first day awesome. My expert panel included the following:

Jamie Minter, fifth grade teacher at John Ross Elementary
Walaya Lupp, a high school reading specialist in the Oklahoma City area
Annetta Cain, second grade teacher at Spring Creek Elementary 
Kathleen Schwiebert, sixth grade reading teacher at Deer Creek Intermediate School

Here are the highlights!

How can parents help their kids prepare for going back to school?

Jamie: I don't think you can just pick a day and say, "Hey it's time to get back in the swing of things.” But instead, just keep a flow of creative learning activities throughout the summer months. My number one piece of advice is to READ.  Parents and children both need to pick out a good book for the summer!

Walaya: Children who have a lot of different experiences, such as museums, parks, library visits, or even just a trip through the woods, build what's called schema. This better enables them to connect with what they are learning in school.

Annette:  I sign my four kids up with the Edmond Library to take part in their summer reading program.  It provides little incentives along the way to read, and the children have a chance at winning some pretty big prizes at the end of the summer if their names are drawn.

Kathleen: Start regulating bedtimes and wake up times about a week or more before school starts.  Here in Deer Creek, the Intermediate School starts classes at 7:30 a.m., so if a child has been going to bed and getting up whenever he or she feels like it, that 6 a.m. wake-up time is going to be a shock!

How can parents get kids excited about going back to school?

Jamie: Getting the kids excited comes from the parents being positive and excited as well. Back to school shopping for supplies and clothes should be fun and not stressful.

Walaya: Ask them what they liked about what the older kids were doing the year before, and take your child to any activities the school is having beforehand.

Annette: Communicating in a positive way with your children is critical. Talk about the new and exciting things this school year will bring. Contact some friends from school and try to get together before school starts. 

Kathleen: If parents are moaning about the "end of summer,” kids will jump right in and express that same feeling.  I am a big believer about talking about hopes and dreams and talking about how to achieve those things.

And finally, what do you look forward to most in a new school year?

Jamie: What I look forward to the most is meeting my new students. I am blessed each year to be given twenty-plus students, and it's almost like opening a present. You never know what's inside, and you can't wait to find out.

Walaya: I always look forward to meeting new students and building new relationships with my kids.  I'm a reading specialist, so my love is about growing new readers and showing kids how to pick out books that they like.

Annette: I can't wait to meet my students! Each child in my class is like a puzzle to me, and I love trying to figure them out!

Kathleen: At the end of every school year, when my students leave my classroom, I am quite sure I will never love another group of kids as I have loved them.  Then, when August rolls around, I meet a whole new group of kids, and in a few days, I am learning names and personalities and I start to think - I like these kids, and a whole new journey begins!