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Table of Contents - June 2011
Feature Article: Prevent Brain Drain
in the Summer Months
Parenting Tip: Snap on the Bike Helmet
Upcoming Classes: “Reduce Power Struggles Now!”
A Good Read: The Family ADHD Solution
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Prevent Brain Drain in the Summer Months
While no one can dispute the fun that kids have
away from school in the summer, research indicates that students who do not
engage in summer school or other intentional activities to retain their skills
will lose ground.
The two biggest areas of loss are math computation
and spelling; skills that are based on remembering facts and procedures through
frequent use. For example, on average, without structured practice, children
lose 2.6 months of grade level equivalency in math computation skills. This is
true regardless of family resources.
Reading presents another challenge. Children in middle- or upper-income families
tend to make gains in their reading proficiency over the summer, while children
in lower-income families tend to lose ground in their reading proficiency. This
can be attributed to the availability of books at home and a stronger habit of
reading for leisure, both of which are closely associated with increased
financial resources. A recent study of the achievement gap in reading is
directly related to unequal summer learning opportunities.
Students with a Learning Disability, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD), or other learning challenges are likely to also experience a “summer
slip” without planned activities that not only provide practice using academic
skills, but also maintain study habits and organizational skills. Often these
skills and habits are part of an individualized learning plan for those
students. It is valuable to continue use of structures that support school-year
learning throughout the summer.
A range of options that families can employ to ensure that their children avoid
the summer learning slide may include setting up daily study times for
practicing things that require rote practice, such as spelling words and math
facts; weekly trips to the library; involving kids in a summer activity that
involves math such as planning a road trip or keeping score at a ball game;
planting a garden; and setting aside time each week for family members to share
what they have been reading and ask each other questions about their books.
Answering questions (and looking up the answers when they don’t remember) about
the plot, setting, or characters will help in guiding your child to read more
closely and with greater comprehension. Also, weekly goals for the number of
pages read, letters (or emails) written, number facts mastered, and so on, with
a modest reward attached, can help motivate kids to keep their skills sharp.
While summer is a great time for fun, fresh air, and free time, keeping your
child connected with what they learned during the school year can also offer fun
ways to nurture family connections and reduce the stress associated with the
start of the new school year in the fall.
Summer Learning Tips:
Find a summer program that fits your budget. Many programs are
offered at schools, recreation centers, universities, and community-based
organizations and often have an educational or enrichment focus.
Visit the library. Checking out books that interest your child encourages
daily reading. Libraries have on-going summer programs that are usually free.
Take a day trip to the park, museum, zoo and nature centers. Choose a
place with an educational theme.
Go camping and learn about nature.
Practice cooking to learn math. It helps teach fractions and
measurements. Add and subtract costs of recipe items while shopping at the
grocery store.
Play ball! Intense physical activity and exercise contribute to healthy
development.
Do a community service project. Teach your child to volunteer in your
community and show compassion to others.
Start a piggy bank savings account. Practice math skills daily.
Keep a schedule. Continue daily routines during the summer with structure
and limits. The key is providing balance and keeping kids engaged.
Prepare for fall. Find out what your child will be learning during the
next school year by talking with teachers at that grade level. Preview concepts
and materials over the summer.
Editor’s Note: This article was written by Arty Dorman, Program Director at
LDA Minnesota and first appeared in LDA Minnesota Learning Times, Vol. 9
No. 2, Spring 2011. The article is reprinted with their permission. You may
visit www.ldaminnesota.org
or call 952-582-6000 for more information on the organization.
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Reduce Power
Struggles Now!
Teleclass June 10
Whether your child is a toddler or a teen, you can
get locked into power struggles that result in angry
exchanges. You lock in. Your child locks in and no
one “wins.”
If your child is “pushing your buttons” come to the
“Reduce Power Struggles Now” teleclass to learn
offensive and defensive moves that will result in
more win-win situations.
http://www.getparentinghelpnow.com/PowerStruggles.htm
Attend this class and you will:
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Learn to avoid a classic mistake many parents
make to avoid some power struggles.
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Find solutions to work through the top 10 power
struggles.
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Implement communication strategies that will
gain more cooperation from your child.
You may often hear the phrase “pick your battles.
Well, this class helps you determine which battles
are worth fighting and which ones help your child
meet the developmental tasks that enable him/her be
a capable, responsible child.
Who: Parents who are tired of useless power
struggles.
What: A one-hour telephone class (teleclass)
where you’ll learn strategies for reducing the top
10 power struggles and develop a plan for reducing
the rest.
Where: Call in from home or work for this “teleclass.”
When: Fri., June 10, Noon- 1 p.m. CT (1-2
p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. MT/10 a.m. PT). If you can’t attend
that day, sign up anyway and I’ll send you a replay
of the class the next day.
Cost: $14.97.
How: Register now to reserve your spot!
http://www.getparentinghelpnow.com/PowerStruggles.htm
Email me at
toni@getparentinghelpnow.com or call me at
612-810-8687 if you have any questions
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Parenting Tip
Snap on the Bike Helmet
Few kids relish the
idea of putting on a bike helmet. Yet, wearing a
helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by as
much as 85 percent, according to
www.safekids.org. Bicycle injuries rank
second only to riding animals as the leading
source of injuries for children.
Kids are 14 times
more likely to die in a bicycle crash without a
helmet. Nearly 630 children are injured daily
due to bicycle-related crashes.
Although about half
of all U.S. children between ages 5 and 14 years
old own a helmet, only 25 percent report always
wearing it while bicycling.
Bicycle helmets
prevent 52 to 60 percent of bike-related head
injury deaths (for all ages), as well as an
estimated 68 to 85 percent of nonfatal head and
scalp injuries, and 65 percent of upper and
middle face injuries, even when misuse is
considered.
Make sure that the
helmet fits correctly to get the maximum
benefit. Here’s a link to a video to ensure the
correct fit.
http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/bicycling-and-skating/helmet-fit-test-video.html
Go to
www.safekids.org. for more information on
keeping your child safe.
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UPCOMING TELECLASSES
Take these classes from
the comfort of your home or office! You'll join
other parents, via telephone, for parenting tips and
a lively discussion all while sitting in your
favorite armchair! There's no need to waste time
driving to classes when you participate from home or
your office in a 'teleclass.'
“Reduce Power
Struggles Now!” - Whether your child is a
toddler or a teen, you can get locked into power
struggles that result in angry exchanges. You lock
in. Your child locks in and no one “wins.” If your
child is “pushing your buttons” come to the “Reduce
Power Struggles Now” teleclass to learn offensive
and defensive moves that will result in more win-win
situations. Fri., June 10, Noon- 1 PM CT (1-2
PM ET/11-12 AM MT, 10-11 AM PT). If you can’t attend
that day, sign up anyway and I’ll send you a replay
of the class the next day. Register now at:
http://www.getparentinghelpnow.com/PowerStruggles.htm
UPCOMING CLASSES
“Reduce Power
Struggles Now!” - Wed., June 1, Noon, Securian.
Toni offers 19 different
parent education classes. If you’d like to book Toni
at your company or organization, please go to:
http://www.familiesfirstcoaching.com/Pages/Speakerspage.html
or call Toni at
612-810-8687.
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A Good Read
Each month a parent
provides a review of a parenting book they've
enjoyed. Please e-mail
toni@familiesfirstcoaching.com to share a good
read with other parents.
“The
Family ADHD Solution: A Scientific Approach to
Maximizing Your Child’s Attention and Minimizing
Parental Stress”
By Mark Bertin, MD
“I’ve been a psychologist working with children and
families for 17 years and I’ve been a parent of a
child with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD), for 15 years. Several times over the years
I’ve found resources truly helpful in understanding,
and treating, ADHD and Mark Bertin’s book is one of
them. Bertin, a developmental pediatrician, does an
excellent job of providing both scientific and
practical information for anyone affected by ADHD.
For one thing, the book was published recently and
contains the latest medical understanding of what
ADHD is and what it isn’t. With use of the latest
brain imaging technology science can now tell us
that people with ADHD/ADD have a smaller frontal
lobe in the brain and show decreased brain activity
in that region when doing certain tasks. Those tasks
include “executive functions” such as regulating
behavior and emotions, monitoring, motivating,
anticipating, and planning. In fact, Bertin suggests
that ADHD would better be described as “attention
management, self-regulation, organization, and
planning disorder.”
I particularly enjoyed Chapter 3 which outlines the
disabilities that generally aren’t as obvious with
ADHD: attention management, task management such as
starting, planning, and maintaining activities;
effort and motivation; emotional regulation; working
memory; and self-monitoring. Bertin suggests that
ADHD should be reframed based on which of these
deficits your own child may have.
One of the solutions that Bertin offers is the use
of mindfulness, not only for the ADHD child, but
also for parents of the ADHD child. Mindfulness is
the ability to focus our attention on the present
moment including the sensations in our body and
becoming aware of our thoughts and feelings without
being distracted and overwhelmed by them. Exercises
such as deep breathing, meditation and yoga, Bertin
notes, have been scientifically proven to reduce
stress and anxiety while increasing attention, focus
and creativity in problem-solving in people with, or
without, ADHD. Bertin then provides instruction on
how to integrate mindfulness exercises in daily life
to gain the benefits it can provide. He recommends
that both parents and child learn these helpful
practices.
I also appreciated the chapter called, “Medical
Options for ADHD” which dispels the myths
surrounding ADHD medications. Bertin clearly
outlines the benefits that most people gain from the
correct ADHD medication and confronts a parent’s
fear that they will be “drugging” their child. I
have seen numerous children benefit in a myriad of
ways over the years from the correct medication that
leads them to happier and more productive lives.
Bertin also shares the latest research showing no
long-term harm from ADHD medications.
I only wish that the chapter on academics and school
modifications would have been more thorough. School
is an enormous part of a child’s day and so critical
to a child’s self-esteem and success later in life.
Perhaps Bertin will consider another book with much
more detail on helping a child succeed academically?
I hope so." Toni
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Toni Schutta, Publisher, Families First Coaching Newsletter
Toni Schutta is a Parent Coach with a Master's
Degree in Psychology and 17 years experience working
with children and families. She's also the mother of
two wonderful children, a Licensed Psychologist, a
certified graduate of the Mentor Coach Foundations
Program, a member of The Parent Coaches Association,
an author, speaker and past radio host.
Families First Coaching
is an organization devoted to building strong
families by empowering parents with practical
information, easy-to-use tools and helpful resources
that will help you be the best parent possible.
Individual parent coaching sessions are available
along with parent-to-parent support groups and
parent education classes. Check out the websites at
http://www.familiesfirstcoaching.com and
http://www.getparentinghelpnow.com for a
complete list of services. |
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