At times there may be weakness in the structure, and here you will find the tools to solidify learning.
Enjoy the bi-weekly articles below.
These sections  are organized by age level, but the information is not confined to just this age. Consider looking at other age ranges as well. Also, make sure to check out the Archives.

Teach Themselves Patience
     It is important that children of this age know the benefits of patience. They learn how addictive anger, irritation, outrage, blaming others, and shaming themselves can be.  They learn to recognize the triggers to their upset, and if they have learned self-control at an earlier age, they can use it to calm themselves and make peace within their family and with their friends.  They can use calming techniques, like deep breathing and relaxing their bodies.  They learn that not everything is a crisis, and hopefully, they learn to let go in order to preserve their own mental health. Not acting on impulse is worth the wait.
​     Patience can exercise self-restraint.

Peaceful Learning at Home 
           Children who are exposed to violence in the home may have difficulty learning and limited social skills, exhibit violent,                    risky or delinquent behavior, or suffer from depression or severe anxiety. UNESCO   Behind the Closed Doors 
     If you are having trouble parenting or are frustrated with your children’s behavior, you are certainly not alone. As human beings, we experience frustration dealing with our own problems, let alone our children’s. We have not had a lot of help in our parenting due to day care when our children are young and after school programs for school-age. When children are in middle school, then high school, we worry about their behavior when they are home alone. We have not had time to really get to know our children as fellow human beings due to our working and their school and extracurricular activities. 
     It is no wonder families experience anxiety when all are together. It is certainly not hard to yell at our children or take our desperation out on them since we cannot take it out on our fellow workers or others in our society.  It is not hard to turn on our spouse or for our children to witness our "off-the-wall" behavior as our own frustration and anxiety grow. 
We allow our children to either risk becoming victims or have adverse effects on their physical, emotional, and social development. They may even risk becoming a culprit themselves. 
    How can parents provide peace in their homes? They can provide a safe and secure environment for their children when they are not in school. They can provide opportunities for proper communication with their children. Too many times all children need is an adult to listen to them, to listen to problems they have had at school or elsewhere in their lives. Like all of us, sometimes just talking out a problem helps us to find our own solution. Children want to be understood and sheltered. 
     Giving children a sense of routine and normalcy helps prevent problems. Provide a schedule that all can follow for life at home to go smoothly even if it needs to be printed in a sheet posted on the refrigerator. There it can be seen by all to know what is going on.  
     Setting rules that are to be followed most of the time and the expected consequences of not doing so helps children know what to expect. Empowering Parents (www.empoweringparents.com) suggests that lack of unity in discipline between the parents produces anxiety in children because they are unsure of the rules.  
     www.positiveparentingsolutions also has good ideas for parents in providing a peaceful atmosphere for children, so necessary for learning. 
                     Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. Albert Einstein 

Teach Your Children Conversation   
​     Having a conversation with your children is impossible if you do not have their attention.  You cannot talk to your children if they do not listen. YOU can teach your children to listen.
                You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time.  M. Scott Peck
Your children learn best when they listen.  Teachers are expected to teach your children "listening" in the Common Core standards being adopted by schools across the country.  Such skills as listening to others with care and speaking one at a time are being taught from the early years of school. Help your children's teachers by practicing how to listen and converse at home. 
     Consider using these strategies:
        Remove distractions.  Your children cannot have earphones in their ears when you are giving them important information, such as "I must go to a meeting today.  You must take the bus and come straight home." Have them repeat what you have said, then add necessary directions- "This is where you will find the key to open the door.  You are not to have friends with you until I come home."
         Teach your children to focus.  See that they are looking at you, watching your face, your mouth, your eyes. Make sure they understand what you have said the first time. Do not repeat yourself.  Children will not pay attention the first time when they know you will say the same thing several more times.  This was a grave mistake I made--I repeated so often, my children no longer listened.
        Have another child tell them what you have said.  Sometimes, it helps for your child to hear your words repeated by another person, especially a favorite sibling or older child.
      Help them appreciate the knowledge they will gain if they listen to knowledgeable others.  If they are going to learn, it is better to do so by listening to you and their teachers or to the video their teacher provides for them.  If they still do not understand the information, even if they listen, encourage them to ask questions. They can also restate what they think they have heard you or their teacher say.  You will be surprised by what they think they heard instead of what you or their teacher really said. Remember the old game "telephone" in which a phrase is whispered to others in a circle?  It was hardly recognized when it reached the last person.
     The website www.5minuteenglish.com/listening.htm provides examples for listening attentively  and answering questions about what your children hear.  Although the website is intended for non-English learners, using the dialogue forward arrow  allows your children to listen.  You might even like to use the dialogue script to interact with your children if they can read.  Using this technology to teach the necessary skills of listening and conversation can be enjoyable time for all.

     Help for Late Bloomers
     Some of your children may still be struggling with their learning. Don't be discouraged and don't allow your children to be discouraged or give up either. Here are some websites that may be helpful to bolster your and your children's good feelings and to encourage your children with good advice and practice provided through games and fun.
                      Empowering Parents: service@empoweringparents.com
                      Anthony@mashupmath.com
                      Alexandra@biglifejournal.com
                       Sumitha@afineparent.com
     There are others that you may have discovered. Please share--bettemroz@gmail.com.  It is vitally important to your children's future interest and success in learning that you are interested enough in your children to help them now.
​          " Be the parent today that you want your children to remember tomorrow."