Editorial - Back to Basics

EDITORIAL
Back to Basics
August 25, 2006

Ah, the days of summer trips to the beach. Kids get caught up in sandcastles, chasing each other into the water or throwing a Frisbee. We worry about sunscreen, snacks, and the wealth of sand tracked into our vehicles. These trips take preparation, packing, and a whole lot of patience.

In the hustle and bustle, we often miss the natural, quiet pleasures of the beach; the sound of the waves hitting the shore, the wind in the dune-grasses and the birds flying overhead. These basic pleasures of the beach can easily be overlooked by busy parents keeping a watchful eye on their children.

But, with the drop in humidity comes a new season that leaves little time to head to the shores. Fall is coming quickly and school is back in swing. Our children are hopping back on the school bus. They need books, pens, pencils and a boxed lunch. Parents think about signing them up for music lessons and other activities like swimming or football, or ensuring a timely exodus to the morning bus stop and a ride home from their extracurricular activities.

We spend our time packing lunches, matching outfits and searching for backpacks. And in between preparing our children for the immediate needs of the day, it is easy to lose sight of the less urgent, yet very important building blocks of our children's future.

More than supplies, a new pair of jeans or the best new uniforms, our children need support. They need the support of teachers, principals, parents and guardians. Instead of looking at the big picture, we must work with a simple approach. A parent is a child's first and lifelong teacher. They learn most from a parent's example - so get involved. The Department of Education offers these simple ways to help your kids:

Encourage your children to read. Helping your child become a reader is one of the most important things you can do to help them succeed in school. Make sure that your house has lots of reading materials that are appropriate for your children.

Talk with each child. Through hearing and responding to parents' and family members' conversation, young children begin to pick up the language skills they will need to do well.

Monitor homework and have a special place for your child to study. This lets your child know that education is important and homework is not optional. It will also aid in the development of good lifelong study habits.

Monitor TV viewing and video game playing. Our children, on average, spend more time watching TV or playing video games than they do completing homework or other school-related activities. Remember that children often imitate their parents' behavior. Help your child to use TV and video games wisely by modeling your own good TV viewing habits.

Help your child learn to use the internet properly and effectively. Spend time online with them. Public libraries have computers with internet access, if one is not available to you in your home. If you're not familiar with the internet, let the child teach you. Have him or her show you their favorite sites and tell you what he or she likes about them. This will build self-confidence and pride in their abilities.

For more information, tools and resources, visit the website of the United States Department of Education at www.ed.gov.

http://www.house.gov/forbes/newsroom/editorials/2006/08252006.htm