Baby & infant
Young Manners
Babies in the high chair can learn sign language. Not only are they capable and benefit greatly from ''Hands down'' as you place their hands back on the tray and off the spoon, they can learn basic signs for: please, finished, more, water. I would ask, ''More?'' and demonstrate the sign. The child would learn to respond with his/her hands in a similar (only much more cute) sign when he/she wanted more of what I was offering. Taking the time to teach a child how to put three middle fingers (like a W) on his/her lips is a GIFT for when they are thirsty: water please. It is so doable, I highly recommend it even if it's only a handful of signs. Shake a T and it means, ''I need the toilet.'' How handy to even sign to your spouse and he can take the kid to the bathroom. I will say that the firstborn learns them well, and by the fourth kid lots of things slip ;). | | yielding |
Organization/time management
Research Boundaries
For those of us who are extremely detail oriented, we can get stuck in the mire of endless researching. If you are thus minded, consider setting boundaries for yourself prior to any research you embark upon. Are you getting a new countertop for the kitchen? Decide that you will look into X number of kinds and no further. Are you looking for a history program for your highschooler? Decide to look at each program no longer than X minutes before moving on. I don't know what's right for you, but I have greatly benefited from limiting my research before it's onset. This time management strategy enables me to dig for those details, but not ALL of THEM :). | | yielding |
Computer
Basic Life Skills
For your high school student, be sure to count time teaching him or her basic computer skills. It can qualify under Life and Management Skills if there are not enough hours for computer credit alone. Teach them how to make a table in a word processing program. Have them design their own school chart/chore chart. Whenever you are doing basic tasks on the computer, teach them how to do the same (or perhaps your kids teach you :), emailing, accessing banking information, organizing file folders, fax cover sheets, documents, budgets in a spreadsheet. These are all valuable skills that will aid them in their life and workplace. | | yielding |
| | Math: alg/calc/geom/etc.
One Algebra Notebook
Some of the best advice I received...from my math teacher, no less...was to keep my own algebra notebook. As I went through Algebra I, I wrote down definitions, formulas, examples, etc. When taking the test at the end of the year, I had an invaluable guide for preparing. Approaching Algebra II, I was able to refer to my notebook and continue it. Many years later in life at a notetaking job for highschool freshman who were hard of hearing, I dug out my algebra notebook and refreshed myself. Now I'm teaching my kids...guess what? The notebook comes out again. | | yielding |
College/vocation
Planning for College
When planning what college to attend look at the value each college choice provides to you. Are you looking for a better chance for a high paying job? Are you looking for the ''college experience/right of passage? Are you looking for a continuation of the academic experience? These are questions which must be examined when deciding what kind of college or university is a good fit for your family. Ron Lieber's ''The Price You Pay for College'' is an excellent resource. | | shawne |
Art & music
Classical Coloring
Gather the whole crew, put on a classical CD...maybe one that includes narration about the composer, give each student a portion of the table or floor to draw or color at his/her level, and ENJOY! Also essential is having handy a horse on a stick to ride during the rambunctious portions or a twirling baton for your extroverts to act out the music :). | | yielding |
Special needs
Barton Reading and Spelling
My daughter was severely dyslexic and we invested in Barton Level 1. we faithfully sat daily 30 minutes and when she completed level 1, we sold it to purchase level 2. We went all the way through level 6, and my daughter is now in college. She is still dyslexic, but will admit it really made a difference for her. | | pstockinger |
|