每日吃瓜

Parenting and Learning Issues

Each child learns differently. Here we offer resources on learning styles and the classroom models that support them, expert advice on how to improve learning, and tips on parental involvement.

View the most popular articles in Parenting and Learning Issues:

Homework: Creating A Healthy Environment

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Homework: Creating A Healthy Environment
Homework has become deeply ingrained in the U.S. educational system, but how much homework is too much and how can you create a healthy environment for your child to do schoolwork at home?

Doing homework is an unavoidable part of being a student but some children have more trouble than others doing school work on their own at home. As a parent, it is your job to get your child the help he or she needs to learn and to thrive academically 鈥 you should also think about ways to create a healthy environment for doing homework at home. Keep reading to learn more about minimizing distractions and cultivating a good homework environment for your child.

The History of Homework

Homework has become a tradition in academic environments, but where does this tradition come from? The concept of extra school work that must be completed at home has become engrained in U.S. academic culture and some believe that it doesn鈥檛 provide much value for students. The use of homework has changed as the course of education in history has changed. During the late 19th century, education for primary grades was irregular and most classrooms contained students of different ages. Primary students were rarely assigned homework and the older students got, the more likely they were to leave school for the workforce. In the early 20th century, there was a rise in progressive education as well as an anti-homework movement. When the Cold War came around, however, homework once more rose its ugly head as America became obsessed about competing with the Russians. In the years since the pro-homework movement gained strength but it is once more starting to come into question.

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Tips for Getting Your Autistic Child Ready for School

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Tips for Getting Your Autistic Child Ready for School
Starting school can be a scary and overwhelming situation for any child, but children with autism experience unique challenges. Keep reading to learn what those challenges may be and to receive some tips for dealing with them appropriately.

Autism is by no means a rare condition, though a great deal of research still needs to be completed to truly understand the cause of this condition and the best way to treat it. If you have a child with autism, getting through the day can be challenging. The thought of sending your autistic child to school 鈥 to an environment that could be scary and overwhelming for your child 鈥 may cause you to panic. With education and preparation, however, you can get your autistic child ready for school.

In this article, you will learn some background information about autism to help you understand your child's unique challenges in school. You will also receive some detailed tips to help prepare yourself and your child to make the transition into school as smooth as possible. The more prepared you and your child are, the better he can transition into a school setting.

Understanding the Basics of Autism

Autism spectrum disorder, more commonly known as autism, is a general term for complex brain development disorders. Autism affects the child鈥檚 social interactions as well as his verbal and nonverbal communication skills and repetitive behaviors. Every child with autism is unique, though in general, autism seems to be rooted in early brain development. Signs of autism tend to manifest between the ages of 2 and 3 years, though they can certainly appear earlier or later. Autism is frequently associated with intellectual disabilities, difficulties with motor coordination, and, in some cases, physical

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Five Tips for Helping Students with Special Needs

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Five Tips for Helping Students with Special Needs
Special education teachers face a unique set of challenges, and so do the parents of special needs students. Keep reading to learn some practical tips for making your life as a special needs teacher or parent easier.

They say that teaching is a thankless job 鈥 not only are teachers underpaid, but many of them dedicate countless hours of their free time to do extra work for their students. Being a teacher, in general, can be very difficult, but being a special needs teacher comes with its own unique set of challenges. Whether you are a special needs teacher or the parent of a special needs child, keep reading to learn some helpful tips for making the most of your child鈥檚 education.

What are the Challenges of Working with Special Needs Students?

Compared to most other professions, the burn-out rate for special needs teachers is extremely high 鈥 approximately 50% of special education teachers leave their jobs within just 5 years. Teaching is a difficult and stressful career in and of itself, but special education adds an extra layer of difficulty. Some of the biggest challenges of working with special needs students are as follows:

  • Lack of parental support. You can pour your heart and soul into your efforts as a special education teacher but if the child鈥檚 parents are not on board, all of that work could be for nothing. Having a positive relationship with the parents of your students is essential.
  • Lack of appreciation. Teachers do not teach because it is a prestigious or high-paying career 鈥 they do it for the love of the students. Still, a little appreciation goes a long way, especially in a challenging and stressful field like special education.
  • Too
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How To Discuss Violence in Schools With Children

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How To Discuss Violence in Schools With Children
Learn 8 ways to guide your conversations with children when discussing high-profile acts of violence in schools.

All too often, school violence in the U.S. is ubiquitously broadcasted on TV and online media in the United States, leaving children who watch frightened and confused. These high profile acts may force children to question whether themselves or their friends are in fact safe. Questions may run through their head, such as 鈥淲ho will protect us?鈥 or 鈥淲hy would someone do such a thing?鈥

This is where adults鈥攑arents, loved ones, and teachers alike鈥攃an provide information, guidance, and empathy. Rather than hide from or dismiss the high-profile stories, it is best to confront them head-on. Discuss these events with children, establish a sense of security and stability by allaying their fears.

Our school violence handbook is designed to be a resource for administrators, faculty, and parents to turn to after times of crisis. We believe the educational experience prioritizes not just intellectual growth, but emotional health. Distribute and use this 每日吃瓜 handbook as a guide for moments when needed most.

This video shows you how to talk to your children about school violence.

8 Ways to Guide Your Conversation

1. First and foremost鈥攔eassure the child that they are safe. Schools are overwhelmingly safe overall despite the high-profile acts that occur every year. They can rest easy knowing themselves and their loved ones will be okay.

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How Does Bullying Affect a Student鈥檚 Academic Performance?

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How Does Bullying Affect a Student鈥檚 Academic Performance?
We explore the significant impact of bullying on students' academic performance, discussing statistics, research findings, and long-term effects. It provides valuable insights for educators and parents on recognizing bullying behaviors and implementing effective prevention strategies to create a safe learning environment.

Children can be cruel, and it is not uncommon for grade school students to come home in tears after someone calls them names on the bus ride home. Unfortunately, many parents do not understand the potentially damaging effects of bullying not only on a child鈥檚 confidence and self-esteem but also on his academic performance.

Shocking Statistics About Bullying

According to StopBullying.gov, a website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, nearly 50% of students in grades 4 through 12 experienced bullying within a given month, and more than 70% of students admit to having seen bullying occur in their school. Verbal and social bullying are the two most common types, including things like name-calling, teasing, spreading rumors, stealing belongings, sexual comments and gestures, or physical violence. Physical bullying happens less often than social bullying, and cyberbullying, though it is becoming increasingly prevalent, is still less common.

While many people assume that a little bit of bullying is harmless 鈥 it may even be helpful for the child to teach them how to stick up for themselves. In reality, however, an estimated 160,000 children miss school on any given day due to fear of bullying by other students. Every day, more than 280,000 students are physically attacked in schools, and one out of ten students who drop out of school mentions repeated bullying as a factor. Bullying can have a serious impact on a child鈥檚 educational experience, and not just by causing him or

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Parenting and Learning Issues

IMPROVING LEARNING
A comprehensive look at the latest trends, expert advice and recent studies into improving student learning. Explore the latest studies into links between student performance, sleep and music. See why schools are opting for later start times and year round schedules.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT FROM K-12
Learn how direct involvement in your child鈥檚 education can impact school performance. Get expert advice on how to get involved, learn why and when you need to talk to a teacher and ways to make changes on campus.
BULLYING
An overview of bullying in schools, laws to protect students, and the impact on education. This section provides great tips on protecting your child from being bullied or becoming a bully. Learn about the latest anti-bullying laws and see how cyber-bullying effects your child鈥檚 school performance.
TYPES OF LEARNING
What type of learner is your child? Be in the know about different types of learning and which classrooms are best suited for each type. What is project-based learning? Cooperative Learning? Would your child benefit from a blended learning experience? Explore these teaching techniques and learn how they could improve your child鈥檚 performance.
KINDERGARTEN AND ELEMENTARY ISSUES
Weigh the pros and cons of preschool, full day kindergarten and other issues affecting our youngest learners. Learn what can be done to help your child prepare to enter school, boost confidence, and encourage reading at the grade school level.
HIGH SCHOOL ISSUES
Learn more about issues specific to high school students. Get an overview of high school graduation rates, college readiness, career choice and social issues impacting teenagers in public schools.