Past Newsletter Articles:
Teaching Acceptance to Our Children - Robin Woolley - Jan 2019
Today we had our 3rd whole school REACH Assembly. REACH is an acronym that stands for Respect, Effort, Acceptance, Cooperation and Honesty. All of these are character traits that we expect our CET students to learn and embrace.
Over the past four months, students have been learning about and practicing being respectful to themselves, others and their school, as well as making an effort to show empathy to others. Today’s assembly introduced the concept Acceptance of Diversity. We focused on the following key points:
https://www.poehealth.org/celebrating-differences/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=oODXem4oRp0
Teaching Children about a Growth Mindset- Lauren Fitzgerald - Sept 2018
When looking back at some past articles, I came across the ones that I wrote about Mindfulness. Part of being mindful is about having a growth mindset as opposed to a fixed mindset. If you have a fixed mindset, you believe that your qualities are fixed and cannot be changed. This often does not work well in a learning environment where students are encouraged to take chances and if they make mistakes to try again. When you have a growth mindset, you believe that you can change overtime from engaging in different experiences. This mindset allows for you to take more chances and have a more optimistic view of the world. More and more I find myself observing growth mindset being taught at CET. Many of our third and fourth grade teachers have introduced this idea to their classes and it has become a normal part of their class environment. To help encourage your child to have more of a growth mindset focus on the following ideas:
Unplug your kids, Unplug yourself! - Robin Woolley - February 2018
I met my hero at parent/teacher conferences in November. She doesn’t allow electronics during the week, and only for a couple of hours on the weekends. This includes TV, Xbox, iPad/iPod, etc.. She works a full day, but has made it a priority to “be present in the moment” with her kids when she gets home. It’s not easy, but she leads by example by putting her phone down, too.
It’s something I’m trying to do more of. And it really works. I’ve not only noticed a huge difference in my kids when we limit electronics and spend more time interacting in a positive way with each other, but I also find that I’m a happier person because I’ve put my phone down, too.
I recently read an article about how increased hours online correlate with teen depression and suicidal thoughts. Why mention that to elementary parents? Habits taught now will impact your children in the future. We are raising our children in a digital world that we don’t necessarily understand and that can be scary, but we need to remember that we are still the ones who set the limits and it’s up to us to give our children the best foundation for them to build on. Start setting limits when kids are young, and you’ll have a much easier time when they get older.
Here are a few tips to try:
I wanted to share with you one of my favorite quotes - the one my father sent to me when I had my first child. It still has a special place on my refrigerator door even though the paper is aging.
At a time when our children are focused on holiday presents and listing all the “things” they want us to give them, it’s important that we also give them “gifts” that can’t be bought. Gifts like self-efficacy and independence. Chores can help with this! Age-appropriate “chores” or tasks can help a child’s social and emotional development, as well as their mental health in many ways. Children who do things for themselves feel a sense of accomplishment and confidence - feelings that naturally combat the anxiety and depression we see too often. Being able to pack their own backpacks, zip their own coats, tie their own shoes and clean up after themselves are basics that all kids should be able to do on their own by the time they enter Kindergarten. Why not add a few others and get the gift of “help around the house” for you?!?!
Ready to get started? Here is an article with more information and a list of age appropriate chores I found. If your children start to complain, let them know you’re giving them a gift - and feel free to quote Ann Landers - it helps!
A bit about Anxiety - Robin Woolley - October 2017
Anxious about your child’s anxiety? Worried about your child’s worries? Being anxious and worried are normal feelings that, when reasonable, can help children to be successful. Children experiencing reasonable anxiety about an upcoming test will spend a few extra minutes studying so that they do well. Children worried about the consequences of doing something wrong will often make a good choice and do the right thing. But what happens when the worries and anxiety start to interfere with going to school, making friends, and learning? Here are some resources that can help you navigate the world of childhood anxiety:
Today we had our 3rd whole school REACH Assembly. REACH is an acronym that stands for Respect, Effort, Acceptance, Cooperation and Honesty. All of these are character traits that we expect our CET students to learn and embrace.
Over the past four months, students have been learning about and practicing being respectful to themselves, others and their school, as well as making an effort to show empathy to others. Today’s assembly introduced the concept Acceptance of Diversity. We focused on the following key points:
- Diversity is another word for differences. We find differences in everything around us including eye color, hair styles, skin color, gender, clothing, where we live, what our strengths are, how we do our school work, how we play, our religion, our families, etc., etc..
- When we walk through our school, we can see evidence of our diversity in the work that is displayed in the hallways. Everyone contributes to the diversity of the school. Diversity is to be celebrated.
- Everyone is different and deserves to be treated with respect and empathy.
- When we show someone the respect and empathy they deserve, we are accepting them for who they are.
- Respect, Empathy and Acceptance are skills that need to be practiced. Everyone in our community is expected to make an effort to practice these skills every day.
https://www.poehealth.org/celebrating-differences/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=oODXem4oRp0
Teaching Children about a Growth Mindset- Lauren Fitzgerald - Sept 2018
When looking back at some past articles, I came across the ones that I wrote about Mindfulness. Part of being mindful is about having a growth mindset as opposed to a fixed mindset. If you have a fixed mindset, you believe that your qualities are fixed and cannot be changed. This often does not work well in a learning environment where students are encouraged to take chances and if they make mistakes to try again. When you have a growth mindset, you believe that you can change overtime from engaging in different experiences. This mindset allows for you to take more chances and have a more optimistic view of the world. More and more I find myself observing growth mindset being taught at CET. Many of our third and fourth grade teachers have introduced this idea to their classes and it has become a normal part of their class environment. To help encourage your child to have more of a growth mindset focus on the following ideas:
- Acknowledge and accept your weaknesses
- View challenges as opportunities
- Focus on the process as opposed to only thinking about the end result
- Keep in mind that the brain has the ability to change throughout one’s life
Unplug your kids, Unplug yourself! - Robin Woolley - February 2018
I met my hero at parent/teacher conferences in November. She doesn’t allow electronics during the week, and only for a couple of hours on the weekends. This includes TV, Xbox, iPad/iPod, etc.. She works a full day, but has made it a priority to “be present in the moment” with her kids when she gets home. It’s not easy, but she leads by example by putting her phone down, too.
It’s something I’m trying to do more of. And it really works. I’ve not only noticed a huge difference in my kids when we limit electronics and spend more time interacting in a positive way with each other, but I also find that I’m a happier person because I’ve put my phone down, too.
I recently read an article about how increased hours online correlate with teen depression and suicidal thoughts. Why mention that to elementary parents? Habits taught now will impact your children in the future. We are raising our children in a digital world that we don’t necessarily understand and that can be scary, but we need to remember that we are still the ones who set the limits and it’s up to us to give our children the best foundation for them to build on. Start setting limits when kids are young, and you’ll have a much easier time when they get older.
Here are a few tips to try:
- No electronics at the table - breakfast, lunch or dinner - for anyone! This includes if you go out to a restaurant for dinner. Share things about your day; talk and listen to each other. Social skills are taught by being social and interacting with others.
- Have a family game night once or twice a week - this helps children learn how to win and lose gracefully.
- Go for walks or spend time outside.
- No “screens” an hour before bed. Use the time to read with your children or have them read to you.
- No devices in bedrooms. You’ll sleep better and so will they.
- Have a “device basket” where all phones, tablets, etc. are put when not in use. Have a sign out sheet next to it to help track how much time is being used by everyone.
- Lead by example. It truly is liberating to turn off your phone and “unplug” yourself, if only for a few hours.
You will most likely get some resistance at first if you haven’t set many limits in the past. Don’t despair - stay strong and be consistent! If you have any other ideas that you use, please share them with me. I’m always looking for new ways to help kids be the best they can be!
I wanted to share with you one of my favorite quotes - the one my father sent to me when I had my first child. It still has a special place on my refrigerator door even though the paper is aging.
- In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings. - Ann Landers
At a time when our children are focused on holiday presents and listing all the “things” they want us to give them, it’s important that we also give them “gifts” that can’t be bought. Gifts like self-efficacy and independence. Chores can help with this! Age-appropriate “chores” or tasks can help a child’s social and emotional development, as well as their mental health in many ways. Children who do things for themselves feel a sense of accomplishment and confidence - feelings that naturally combat the anxiety and depression we see too often. Being able to pack their own backpacks, zip their own coats, tie their own shoes and clean up after themselves are basics that all kids should be able to do on their own by the time they enter Kindergarten. Why not add a few others and get the gift of “help around the house” for you?!?!
Ready to get started? Here is an article with more information and a list of age appropriate chores I found. If your children start to complain, let them know you’re giving them a gift - and feel free to quote Ann Landers - it helps!
A bit about Anxiety - Robin Woolley - October 2017
Anxious about your child’s anxiety? Worried about your child’s worries? Being anxious and worried are normal feelings that, when reasonable, can help children to be successful. Children experiencing reasonable anxiety about an upcoming test will spend a few extra minutes studying so that they do well. Children worried about the consequences of doing something wrong will often make a good choice and do the right thing. But what happens when the worries and anxiety start to interfere with going to school, making friends, and learning? Here are some resources that can help you navigate the world of childhood anxiety:
- Kids Health Article: Anxiety, Fears, and Phobias
- En Espanol: Ansiedad, miedos y fobias
- Kids Health Article: Helping Kids Handle Worry
- Scholastic Article: How to Spot and Treat Anxiety in Children
- “Parenting in an Anxious Age: A workshop for moms of children 8-12 years old”. An informational/educational parenting workshop is being offered locally starting in October. This is a 6 session workshop on Tuesday evenings, starting October 10th or Thursday mornings, starting October 12th. For more information about fees and dates, contact Suzanne Luntz, LCSW, 646-425-3054, [email protected] or Marilyn Entwistle, MS.Ed, 914-589-7844, [email protected].