Tips for Parents - Help Your Children Develop a “Can Do” Attitude he child who has an “I can” attitude will do much better in school than the child who constantly says “I can’t.” That’s where you, an adult who supports the educational process of a child or several children, can help. Here are some ways you can provide positive feedback to your children: • Instead of asking “What did you do in school today?” be more specific. Ask “What good happened in school today?” Follow up with questions such as “How did that make you feel?” or “Why did you like it?” Or, ask your child to explain one new thing he learned that day. Often a child will need time to decompress and process the day, so right after he arrives home might not be the most productive time to learn about his day. If all you get at first is “nothing” or “boring” let it go for a while, and ask again later. • Be a good role model. How you feel about yourself greatly influences how your children feel about themselves. Demonstrate T positive and responsible habits for your children to copy. For example, if your children see you reading for your own pleasure or enlightenment, they are much more likely to see reading as a positive activity as they move beyond the “read to me.” • Look for the good things your children do and let them know you’ve noticed and that you are pleased. Be specific. We automatically correct our children when they do things we don’t like, but often forget to praise them when they are doing things right. To get into the habit, set a goal for yourself of three (or more) positive comments a day, and work your way up from there. • Create opportunities for your children to succeed by breaking down big projects into easy increments and then cheer them on at the completion of each step. Keep in mind that what may seem simple to you may be overwhelming for children. If it’s been neglected, for example, an instruction to “clean your room” may be more than children can manage. Giving directions one step at a time, “put your dirty clothes into the hamper,” may be all your childrenneed to succeed. Likewise, when a student brings home a big project from school, he may feel that it is overwhelming. When you help him write down the steps needed to complete the project, it helps him break it down into manageable pieces. • Show them and tell them you love them. Don’t presume your children know how much you love them. Tell them every day. Hug them, talk to them, and play with them. It’s Spring! A “just us” walk through one of Beachwood’s beautiful parks says “You are special” to a child. • Watch what you say around your children even if you know they’re not paying attention. Children can often hear you even when they are paying attention to something else. Likewise, how you say something will be noticed and quietly absorbed. If you mention A child’s name in a whisper to your spouse, she may well think its something bad – even if you are really planning her birthday party! • Support them win or lose. Let your children know you support and love them even when they don’t win, or when they make a big mistake. They need to know you’re there to cheer them on when they try again. • Get help if your child is struggling with school. If this year has been a struggle, call The Tutoring Center at 216.292.HELP (4357). The friendly tutors will nurture a “can do” attitude in your child, while helping him or her rapidly increase reading, writing, math or study skills in a positive, supportive environment. The research-based program also enables students in grades K-12 to improve their focus, attention span and concentration. Happy With Your Child’s Grades? One-to-One Instruction for Your K-12 Student • Research-based program • Study Skills • Little Geniuses in Training for Kindergarten Students • Math • Reading • Writing • Geometry • Algebra l & ll • Pre-Calculus and AP Calculus Diagnostic Assessment and First 2 Sessions FREE! Expires 5/20/15 Guaranteed Results! No Contracts to Sign! Affordable Month-to-Month Tuition! (216) 292-HELP (4357) 30659 Pinetree Rd. at Lander Circle www.tutoringcenter.com April 2015 n Beachwood Buzz 39