Pam Kanaly 

Around my house you’re likely to find stashes of chocolate hidden from Rich, a closet full of flip flops, and pics of family hoping to find a home in a frame before Jesus comes back. Give me a breath-taking mountain view, a mini backpack with Reese’s wafer sticks, a manly guide like Rich, and I’m convinced I’ve entered the domain of Heaven’s lower floor. Or, if that’s not possible, plop me down on the beach with a book, and I’m mesmerized for hours.

I love my family, been married to Rich for 18 years now! Adore my two children and their spouses; two stepchildren and their spouses, and I’m Grammy Pammy to Karsen, Reed, Claire and the newest grand baby, Kaili!

Yet I possess another heart’s passion: fulfilling God’s appointed will for me, writing, speaking of His glorious name, and boasting about all that Christ has done in my life. The journey to the Throne is a thrilling pilgrimage, one that continues to knock my Crocs right off my feet!

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Every parent wants their child to succeed in school. The beginning of each new year commences with excitement, but a little anxiety too.

As a teacher for 24 years, I wanted to share my tidbits of how you can help your child thrive in the classroom.

Tidbit #5
Consistency, fairness, and composure. Three key words to relating to your child about school performance. Initiate time to look at their graded papers and test results. Applaud them for great work, appreciate them for extra effort, and encourage them to continue toward positive results. Discuss assignments that were not completed well and have them offer suggestions on how they can do better. When your children understand that you love them unconditionally despite their grades, they will feel more comfortable to visit with you about successes and failures. Offer favorite rewards to recognize great report cards and select discipline that will get their attention to make changes if they earned unacceptable grades. As a parent, you are the thermometer in the house. Interaction about school will be regulated by you. Choose to be a parent that responds appropriately with stability and encouragement. It will make all the difference.

Tidbit #4
Be an advocate for your child, but also understand there are 2 sides to everything. Students sometimes have a skewed perception of events (especially teenagers!). And the biggest misconception . . . teachers do give advance notice of projects, etc. even if your child doesn’t begin them until the last minute. I wish all teachers were wonderful, creative, and inspirational, but occasionally you will encounter the ones who don’t make your top ten list. If you don’t like or if you disagree with your child’s teacher, don’t voice it in front of them. Do not say negative things about the teacher to your child. Discuss it with your spouse, a friend, or talk directly to the teacher. Because if you’re critical and demeaning, you undermine their authority in the classroom and create a division between them and your child. It’s a lose-lose situation. I encourage you to pray for the exceptional educators, but pray especially hard for the not so greats. You might impact a whole classroom of students.

Tidbit #3
It’s necessary for children to learn discipline and organization. They need you to help them develop those skills. Schedule designated time for homework. Once it becomes a habit, they’ll be more cooperative and proficient in completing their assignments. Each night teach them how to prepare for the next day: pack lunches, layout clothes, place all needed items in their book bags and set them by the front door. You’ll find the mornings run smoothly and everyone will enter their day with better attitudes. You especially!

Tidbit #2
Designate time (dinner is an excellent place) to ask your child about his/her day at school. Choose 1-2 different questions to ask each evening. Soliciting too much information will shut down your child, but not inquiring at all gives the impression you don’t care. Pose open-ended questions like, “What was the favorite thing you did today?” or “Which class did you learn the most in and why?” By just asking “How was school?” or “What did you do today?,” you will get the famous answers, “fine” and “nothing.” Opening up communication about school will give you insight, bond you with your child, and affirm them by giving their day importance. Here's 15 question you can ask. Give them a try!

1. Tell me about the best part of your day.
2. What was the hardest thing you had to do today?
3. Did any of your classmates do anything funny?
4. Tell me about what you read in class.
5. Who did you play with today? What did you play?
6. Do you think math [or any subject] is too easy or too hard?
7. What's the biggest difference between this year and last year?
8. What rules are different at school than our rules at home? Do you think they're fair?
9. Who did you sit with at lunch?
10. Can you show me something you learned (or did) today?
11. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the day? Why? What would make it a 10?
12. What was the nicest thing you did for someone today?
13. What did you not do today that you wish you had done?
14. What song best describes your day?
15. What book best describes your day?

Tidbit #1
Be involved. Make the effort to meet your child’s teachers within a few weeks of school starting. Touch base by email every couple of weeks for a progress check. Most districts make it easier with online grades, websites, posting teacher email addresses, etc. It’s your responsibility to monitor your child’s assignments, grades, and behavior. Don’t hover by constantly contacting teachers, but don’t be invisible either. Effective communication with the teachers will ensure a great partnership for your child’s benefit.

Shelley Pulliam