What's next?...a summer series
July 3, 2021
Moving forward with more clarity
I hear of many people addressing their need for a break by pursuing a way forward in terms of a change: perhaps a retreat to the cottage for the rest of the summer, others buying property in more remote locations to reset their lives and get away, some taking up new opportunities by leaving old professions and resetting their everyday work lives. One person I met took up a hobby and decided to explore that as their main thing. Amid change, which is what we all have been experiencing, there is trial and there is opportunity. With such an extended period of change, all of us really took a good look at our lives. We looked for more perspective. These are some of my thoughts:
- I have an opportunity this summer to reflect forward.
- I have never thought so seriously about how important it is to take some time to reflect.
- I believe I am not alone.
As a teacher, I have learned that an effective way to teach is to actually ‘think out loud’. In the Ontario Literacy assessment some of the most respected English teachers that I asked, ‘How do you teach literacy well,’ said that ‘thinking out loud’ was the most effective way to teach a student how to think.
So...I am inviting you into my thoughts as I think aloud in this summer series.
What’s next? Moving forward with more clarity.
Join me in this reflective weekly summer series as I 'think out loud' alongside you. This reflective process will provide clarity as to how you should invest in your child this coming year.
Welcome to Episode 1 of Their Best Parent!
I invite you to pause and reflect on a few key tips for prioritizing what matters most in your child’s academic success, so that we, as parents, can be our child’s best support.
How can you, as a parent encourage a growth mindset in your child? How do you approach challenges? Do you encourage effort or only focus on results?
If you're like me, you could use a bit of inspiration. I find students motivate me; because they have that hard-to-manufacture quality called hope. If you need inspiration, this one's for you!
Self-care is the fuel you may be missing! Have you stopped to think... "what does self-care look like for me? How do I ensure I show up at my best?." We need to put on our own mask first before helping others. Do you prioritize your own self-care? If not, this episode would be helpful for you.
Motivation is the energy we all operate out of. Motivation is one of if not the most important thing to focus on in your child's learning journey. How do we fuel motivation? How can we motivate our kids when they don't like school or feel discouraged? Read this blog post for more.
Do you think that boundaries can in fact promote freedom? It's an interesting idea and is worth considering. How do we, as parents, provide boundaries that help and not inhibit their growth.
Do you catch your child when they are winning? Do you praise their victories? Or are you more likely to notice when they fail? As parents, our role is imperative. Catch your child winning and remind them of what they are good at. This will help them when they do fail. Check out this blog post for more on this.
Learning to partner with your child for their academic results. Your child needs your support and needs to feel some autonomy with their learning. Check out this blog post for more :)
Sometimes, as parents, we are just trying to get through the day to day. We forget to realize that our inattentive nature is hindering our child's learning. This is something that we can't ignore. This is an opportunity, not a criticism. Try for a week and see the impact in your child. I promise it will be fruitful.