SOLVING PROBLEMS BY SEEKING SOLUTIONS You’re told that your child is failing arithmetic. Do you confront him with accusations of “not trying,” or do you focus on the practical value of arithmetic and specific techniques for understanding it better? Your child is slow getting ready for church—for the third week in a row. Do you shout, “Hurry up; you’re always late,” as you drag her out the … [Read more...] about SOLVING PROBLEMS BY SEEKING SOLUTIONS
TEACHING SELF-EVALUATION SKILLS
TEACHING SELF-EVALUATION SKILLS Knowing one’s temperament, passions, strengths, and weaknesses is important in charting a successful path through life. Here are some ideas for teaching your children to look at themselves and plan their futures. Note to teachers: Schedule an “evaluate yourself” project with each class each term. If you have struggling students, use the results to explore how … [Read more...] about TEACHING SELF-EVALUATION SKILLS
IS YOUR CHILD “OLD ENOUGH”?
IS YOUR CHILD “OLD ENOUGH”? If there’s one thing kids hate, it’s hearing parents say, “You’re not old enough for that” on things the kids want to do and “You’re old enough to know that” on things the kids don’t want to do. It does often seem that the first step toward being ready for exciting things is proving responsibility in more boring matters—a lesson even many adults are slow to learn, … [Read more...] about IS YOUR CHILD “OLD ENOUGH”?
SMART GOALS FOR LITTLE KIDS
SMART GOALS FOR LITTLE KIDS Elementary school isn’t too young to learn the art of goal setting. Anyone old enough to think about “what I want to be when I grow up” is old enough to practice with simple short-term goals: Saving to buy a toy or hobby item Learning a new skill Climbing higher or running faster Improving efficiency on homework or chores Even if your kids are still … [Read more...] about SMART GOALS FOR LITTLE KIDS
SMART GOALS FOR TWEENS AND TEENS
SMART GOALS FOR TWEENS AND TEENS If kids haven’t learned the art of goal setting in their elementary school years, they definitely need to learn it by middle school. Otherwise, they risk developing a hard-to-unlearn habit of going through life in reactive mode, doing what’s expected and neglecting their own initiative. Whether new to the principle or not, by age ten most youngsters are … [Read more...] about SMART GOALS FOR TWEENS AND TEENS