Parent Newsletters - Issue 34

No Limits Learning
kids goals Ezine

Issue 34, May 5th, 2007

IN THIS PARENT NEWSLETTER

1. A WORD FROM THE EDITORS
2. MAKING HOMEWORK FUN
3. KIDS CORNER COOKING AND CRAFTS
4. TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONE (JOKES FOR KIDS BY KIDS)
5. WORDS OF INSPIRATION
6. SPONSORS

1. A WORD FROM THE EDITORS

Welcome to the next issue of the kidsgoals.com Newsletter. I was very encouraged to see that the media took Autism Awareness Month seriously and many of the more popular talk shows such as Larry King and Oprah featured this important topic. My concern is now that April is over will all of this be for naught. Having a daughter with Asperger's, I was thrilled that the public is finally becoming aware of these incredible and amazing children. I just want my daughter to be given a chance and not be judged by something she may say or do. I am tired of the raised eyebrows and sniggers and my daughter being shunned by the majority of her peers because of her quaintness.

Our Kidsgoals blog has received some very nice comments from adult Aspergians who don't consider Asperger's a disorder and they wouldn't want it any other way. One fellow is writing a book about growing up with Asperger's that will be coming out soon. I am really looking forward to reading it.

The theme for May is all about the different ways that children can learn. Cassie and I really believe that children learn better when they enjoy the process. Our article for this newsletter will be about how to make homework fun. You will find lots of great tips on how to make your child actually look forward to doing his homework.

We are also launching another competition and are offering a signed copy of Heather Forbes' "100 Daily Parenting Reflections" and also a CD entitled "Loving Affirmations for Children" produced by Kidsgoals. Go to the Kidsgoals website to enter. Finally Cassie and I would like to wish you Happy Mothers Day in advance to all the great Moms out there.

Monicka

2. MAKING HOMEWORK FUN

(With thanks to Ewelina for the idea!)

Is homework a struggle in your house - do the kids find it hard to concentrate, or put off doing their homework till the last minute? On the other hand, do they sometimes sit and toil over it for hours when a little more concentration and efficiency would enable them to finish in a fraction of the time - and get more benefit from it as well?

Most kids have homework troubles of one kind or another from time to time, and you can help them make it more fun and less stressful by creating a positive routine around homework, and by encouraging your kids to use enjoyable and easy techniques to help them study.

A Helpful Routine

Rather than doing their homework at random times of the day, why not help your children to find the routine that suits them best? Some kids, just like adults, are at their best in the morning, and for these kids getting up a bit earlier and having a regular homework time in the morning before school can be nice.

Many kids will find an afternoon or evening homework routine more comfortable, and in this case it's important to make sure that they have an opportunity to get rested before starting their homework, especially if they have been doing sports at school. If on the other hand they tend to be full of pent-up energy after school, then some physical exercise would be just the thing they need to wind down from school in a more energetic way.

In either case, a healthy, light snack is a good idea - it's a long time between lunch and dinner, and the energy from food will help your kids with their brainwork.

Reward Charts

If a child has developed a negative attitude to homework for whatever reason, a reward chart could be a useful tool to help them get things back onto a good footing. Every day that your child sticks to the new routine for homework, they should get a "point" on the reward chart. For primary school children, make sure they are rewarded on the same day - with a pretty sticker and lots of praise, for instance - as well as a special end-of-week reward, maybe an outing to their favorite park, or a small toy.

Older children can delay their gratification a little more - so you could arrange for them to earn a "DVD and friends round" evening, or whatever does it for them, once they complete a week or two of their new homework routine. Tailor it to their age and their interests.

Breaks

The brain learns and remembers best the stuff at the beginning and at the end of study periods. So breaking up study into chunks is a good idea - it's important to train your child to take regular breaks from homework to get the most out of it. And even more importantly, to train them in the difference between "good" and "bad" breaks. What do I mean by a "bad" break? Well if your child sits in front of his homework fidgeting for half an hour then says "I'm giving up for a bit," and goes and watches TV for the next 30 minutes, that is not good study hygiene and I'd call that a "bad" break!

Here are some points to bear in mind to encourage your child to take "good" breaks from homework:

* Use breaks, where possible, to reward yourself for completing a goal, either a milestone, like getting to the end of a section of questions, or a time-related goal like completing 15 minutes of intense revision

* Make sure that very young children take breaks after brief periods of study, while older children can work for 30 or even 60 minutes, depending on their individual needs

* Breaks only need to be a few minutes long - this is long enough to give the brain a chance to absorb what it has just learned and get ready for more!

* Breaks should revitalize you for your next study period, not sap your energy! Watching TV is an energy-sapping break and should be avoided. Good breaks might include:

A refreshing or soothing drink
A light snack
Some brief physical exercise to get the blood flowing - perhaps half a dozen star jumps
Stepping outside and taking some refreshing breaths of fresh air

Study Techniques to Help with Homework

There are lots of other ways you can help your child enjoy their homework, such as teaching them fun and useful ways to learn. Mind mapping is one of these, and there is an article and examples on the KidsGoals website that you might want to refer to at Kids goals Mindmapping for Kids

Children have different learning styles and different ways of processing information, and by understanding your own child's natural preferences you can help them even more. This is something that Monicka and I are researching and plan to provide some resources to you all to help with this very soon (thank you Yolande for bringing this important topic to our attention).

And to finish off, a quick question for our subscribers - as well as homework and general study topics, would many of you be interested in seeing help for children to improve their exam techniques and reduce the stress of tests/exams? We always welcome your feedback!

by Cassie

3. KIDS CORNER COOKING AND CRAFTS

RICE CRISPY SQUARES

As fun to make as it is to eat! (With adult supervision)

1/4 c. butter
4 c. marshmallows
6 c. rice cereal

Melt butter and marshmallows together; remove from heat. Add rice cereal and stir until cereal is well coated. Press into greased 9x13 pan, cut in squares

Decoupage Vase

My son made this for me for Mother's Day last year and I just love it!

Supplies:

Decoupage paste (available at craft and hobby stores)
Glass or plastic container tall enough to put flowers in
Colored tissue paper
Small paintbrush
Newspaper
Scissors

How to make it

Cover flat surface with newspaper

Cut small squares of tissue paper about 1 inch x 1 inch

Cover a small area of the vase with the decoupage glue then place the tissue paper on the glue. Coat a layer of the decoupage glue. You can put on a second layer if you wish to make it less transparent.

Allow to dry overnight when dried the outer layer will be water resistant.

4. TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONE (JOKES FOR KIDS BY KIDS)

Q: Who do fish borrow money from?
A: A loan shark

Q: How did the Vikings send messages?
A: By Norse Code

Q: Why were the medieval times called the dark ages?
A: Because there were so many knights (nights)

Brain Teaser

Johnny's mother had four children. The first was April, the second was May, and the third was June. What was the name of her fourth child?

Answer: Johnny

5. WORDS OF INSPIRATION

"Much education is monumentally ineffective. All to often we are giving children cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants."---John W. Gardner

"Educations purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one."--- Malcolm S. Forbes

"A wise teacher makes learning a joy"-Proverb

"Music is the art of thinking with sounds."---Jules Combarieu

6. YOUR FEEDBACK

If you would like to request any topics for the newsletter for 2007, please email Cassie or Monicka at kidsgoals.com.

Thank you, from Cassie and Monicka

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