Search Results for: blog education a to z x for extra curricular activities how much is too much

Resistance and Fear

I’ve been experiencing resistance lately. Not as a student, but as a teacher (of sorts). I’ve been trying to get a quite varied group of adults to count to twenty together. I could explain everything to them. I could give them a handout illustrating the purpose and the benefits of the exercise. I could give them all of the rules and regulations (it is a game with far more involvement than simply counting in unison). I could do those things, but that would undermine the exercise itself. That would undermine its purpose. That would, in fact, go against one of … Continue reading →

Homeschool Child Burn Out

We talk quite a bit about homeschooling moms getting burned out. All the talk is valid since I know of no homeschool mom who has not experienced burn out on some level. A homeschool mom wears plenty of hats that often weigh down on her head. Just as moms get burned out so the children. A homeschool child does not lead a life of leisure. The child also experiences stress and constantly navigates between student and son or daughter. The child has to balance his interaction with this teacher and his mom since mom and teacher have some unique differences … Continue reading →

Community Ed Classes for Your Preschooler

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When a child is preschool age, they are trying to develop their own personal talents and interests. I know that my daughter is interested and excited about pretty much everything! If you mention soccer to her, she is all over it. Want to do dance? Gymnastics? Piano? Karate? Yes!!! is always the reply. While many parents have the means to put their kids in a myriad of extracurricular activities, many parents, like myself, do not. So, I struggle with knowing what she will like, and what will be “worth” the money. One way I have resolved this issue is through … Continue reading →

The Allowance Quandary

Should you give your children an allowance? I do. For small children who can’t make a lot of money, an allowance gives them a sense of autonomy and choice. I use the allowance to divert my daughter’s “I wants”. Instead of buying items for her, when I do not feel like the item is necessary I suggest that she get it with her allowance money. For older children, there are a number of questions to consider when you begin to give an allowance. What constraints will you put on what is purchased with the allowance? While we might hope that … Continue reading →

Trusting Your Child’s Teacher

My daughter’s teacher spends more time with her than I do. That’s life. At least that’s what I tell myself. My 6-year-old gets up at 7 a.m. Monday-Friday. We’re out the door no later than 8 a.m. in order to get to school on time. I pick her up from school by 3:30 p.m. and we’re together until she goes to bed at 7:30 p.m. That gives us a grand total of five waking hours together. Compare that to the 7.5 hours she spends in school with her teacher and classmates. Thank goodness I love my daughter’s first grade teacher. … Continue reading →

Five things homeschoolers can do in their spare time

According to US schools chief Arne Duncan, school kids need more classroom time. Fortunately for homeschoolers, learning one-on-one supplies much more quality time and so long hours aren’t really necessary. In fact, most homeschoolers are done with educational instruction time by lunchtime. This leaves a lot of spare time to play, and learn, explore. With that said, here are 10 things homeschoolers can do in their spare time. 1. Read: My kids have spent many hours under table, on sofas, in beds, and on a blanket on the lawn reading books. This is a very healthy activity for students that … Continue reading →

Are You Guilty of Hyper-Parenting?

As if we needed yet another label to slap on parents who are actively involved in their children’s lives… Introducing… the Hyper-Parent. No cape involved, just a well-used minivan that has accrued thousand of miles from carting kids to football, gymnastics, ballet, swimming, tennis, art, soccer, hockey, karate, piano, and foreign language classes. A decade ago these types of parents were considered “pushy” for over scheduling their offspring. But these days they’re considered “hyper,” though the definitions of each are quite similar. The criticism is pretty much the same too. Rather than applaud these moms and dads for taking an … Continue reading →

When Homeschoolers rely on the State

There is a situation going on in Keyser, West Virginia right now where three homeschooled students were removed from public school classes on the second day of the spring semester. For those of you who wonder what homeschoolers were doing in public school in the first place, the fact is that homeschoolers in West Virginia have a great deal of access to public schools. West Virginia is one of those states that allow homeschooled children to participate in extra curricular activities and sports. In order to participate in those optional activities, a homeschooler must also partake in school courses. For … Continue reading →

Send Home Projects as Extra Credit

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In a previous article I discussed teachers assigning send home projects. These were the more lengthy projects that children were to complete at home along with the help of a parent. In that article I gave some pros and cons of assigning send home projects. Not long after that article was written, one hallway of my school was filled with castles. Some of the castles were very elaborate. All of the castles, except for one, looked as if much time was put into their making. Some of the castles were made from painted cardboard, some from wood. Some had small … Continue reading →

Tips for Busy Children

While clubs, sports, and other activities can be good for children to help develop physical, emotional, and social skills, children can be involved in too many activities. When a child is overloaded with activities he/she will show signs of being tired. He/she may have headaches or stomach aches. Schoolwork and homework may also begin to suffer and drop in grades. When these things begin to happen, it is the parents’ responsibility to step up and limit the involvement. Parents need to let children know that academics and school come first. Activities come after the work is complete. Some coaches can … Continue reading →