Independence

 

Isn’t it great when your children are finally ready to get themselves ready for school, pick out their own clothes and dress themselves? You can see how proud they are to be independent. One of the important balances that parents need to consider, however, is to still check what clothing your child has decided on. With the weather becoming colder every day, children need to be dressed appropriately with warm clothes, coats, hats and mittens. Sometimes children like the same outfit and wear it many times a week. We can still make children feel good about their independence while checking on their choices. If you are having any problems providing appropriate clothing for your child, please feel free to contact Krista Swanson, School Adjustment Counselor.

Positive Behavior: Supports

How many parents have asked their children after a long day of school, “What did you do in school today, honey?” only to get the answer, “nothing…” ? There is a lot going on in school these days one of which is making sure everyone in our school uses the same language around positive behavior expectations. The town of Barnstable has initiated Positive Behavior: Supports in all elementary schools. This program focuses on positive behavior expectations to be used in all areas of the school. It would be helpful to continue this language at home to encourage the home-school connection. The three expectations that our school will be using is: Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be Responsible. Ask your children what each expectation means and to name at least one example of how they are safe, respectful and responsible at home. Hopefully you’ll get something rather than “nothing.”

Check out the PBIS web-site for more info: http://www.pbis.org/

Sleep

We have been in school for a month and afterschool activities are in full swing. Students (and parents!) must be exhausted. Sleep is so important to a child’s emotional and physical well-being. Students are in school actively learning for at least 6 and half hours a day. Accessing one’s academic ability is very tiring, especially for young kindergarteners. “Scientific studies link childhood sleep loss with fatigue and bad moods, attention problems, academic problems and obesity.” Elementary age children need an average of 10 hours a sleep per night. Late nights really do affect a child’s performance in school. A nighttime routine make getting to bed on time more manageable.