January 2025 Newsletter
Happy New Year from Education Connection Advisors!
As we begin 2025 we want to reinforce some of the positive practices of raising and educating our children that we value.
Our New Year’s resolutions and thoughts for you:
1) First, just look at your children and see how they have grown. You are wonderful parents and you have good children. They are growing up!
2) Be sure to review your children’s work and contact their teacher for information on your child periodically. We want you to understand their learning style. You should know what they are learning and comprehending. Teachers are reinforcing new concepts in January, February and March before spring break.
3) Be positive while helping them correct mistakes. Making mistakes provides great learning opportunities. Simply circling something without correcting does not help them learn what they missed. If a test or a paper comes home, review together what was missed.
4) Reinforce reading everyday even if it is a graphic novel. Reading is the most important part of learning. Even if a child is diagnosed with dyslexia or any reading learning difference, it is not an excuse for not working on this area of growth.
5) Math is a subject that requires repetition. Practice math facts until they are memorized. The math curriculums at the moment are teaching multi ways of computation. If your child is struggling with the different methods, then choose one method of comfortability and understanding and stick with that. Discuss this problem with your child’s teacher. Math can be difficult for some children but the magic words in any subject are, “practice and review.”
6) A child’s behavior becomes an important key to learning. Watch for changes in your child’s attitude or work habits. Be alert for any signs that are new like not sleeping, eating, irritability or illness. There are certain stages of development that are more trying and difficult; be attuned to these stages as it will influence your child’s behavior and attitude towards learning. During the months of January and February, there is scientific evidence that children “get the blues” more due to the weather and isolation.
7) If your child is busy every day of the school week, is it right for them? Step back and think about your goals and why you have them in so many activities. Children need at least one day off to study or relax. Minds and bodies need to regenerate.
8) Is your child on a device anytime he/she isn’t in a structured activity? Do you know who they are texting, what games they are playing, or are they just idly scrolling? We are constantly addressing this issue and how it does affect focus for all ages.
9) What activities do you do as a family? Do you have special movie nights or reading nights? Do you plan trips, outings and spend time together outside of driving to and from activities? Your children need you as positive role models in their life.
10) Reinforcing good communication and sharing with each other, as a family, about worries, days events,world events all contribute to building the whole child. The dinner table is a great place to build relationships as a family.
11) Playing outside, having unstructured activities and independent play all contribute to the whole child. Team sports are important for socialization and building relationships with others. Play should be a daily requisite.
12) Children want you to be positive. They want to be respected; they want you to show you care and often lash out to get attention. Be mindful of why they get angry or do things they should not do.
13) Seek help from specialists when you feel something is wrong. From occupational therapists, to speech therapists, to psychologists, to your pediatrician. Trust your instinct when you feel like something is wrong.
14) Your child’s self esteem is so important, just as it is for you. If you are feeling down or worried, children can sense your reactions. Praise them for who they are, not only for their achievements. Think about “growth mindset” as you engage with your children.
Our hope for you this year is to find patience and peace. Take time to reflect on your values. What do you really want for your family? What are your New Year’s Resolutions for your family?
Education Connection Advisors continues to help parents with their school concerns and school planning from birth through high school. We believe in giving parents and children the right tools to grow. Making an educational plan for your family is important. There is not just one path to learning. It may take time to figure out how your child learns, what each child may need and what school fits. We are here to help you.
Have a good beginning to 2025.
Barbara, Betsy, Fontaine and Margo