I love making crafts and think they make lovely presents and gifts… but truth be told, there’s plenty of crafty things to make during the holidays and I usually realize I need to get gifts for the teachers the Wednesday before school is out for the winter break.

Consider this your reminder (and mine) that it’s holiday gifting time and if you’ve got a particularly fabulous teacher you might want to put them on your list this year.

First things first, pass on the knick knacks, 30 kids for just 5 years and you already have the potential for a loooootta “greatest teacher” goods.

Here are some easy gifts teachers will love:

Books Your favorite book or your child’s favorite book for their classroom.  Have your child write a special note inside if they are old enough.

Games for the Classroom Pick up a board game for kids to play when recess is inside.  Find a fun educational game, or go with a classic favorite (try to avoid Monopoly and other games that last 3+ hours).  Puzzles are great for younger kids and preschoolers as well.

Practical Gift Cards Target, Amazon, book stores, teacher supply stores… Even MARTIN’S.

Divide your budget up and split the gift cards for the classroom and for themselves (for example one Barnes & Noble gift card for themselves and one to buy a book for their classroom) packs of multiple gift cards are perfect for this idea.

Fun Gift Cards  Teachers are people too and gift cards are a great one-size-fits-all gift, especially if you haven’t gotten a chance to get to know them well. Gift cards for movie tickets or a dinner out is always a great gift that teachers can enjoy with their family or spouse.

Multi-Family Gift Talk to a few other parents and go in on a massage from Massage Envy for a little R&R.

School Supply Basket Many teachers spend a lot of their own money on additional classroom supplies and by mid-year a lot of their supplies have depleted. Put together a little classroom supply refresher gift basket.

Include:
-Pencils and Pens
-Loose leaf paper
-Tissues (and more tissues)
-Hand sanitizer
-Glue sticks (lots and lots of glue sticks)
-Post-it notes
-Dry erase markers
-Favorite snack (get your kid to do some detective work)

A Handmade Card I don’t have time to be crafty, but that doesn’t mean I can’t put the kids to work. Keep it simple and have your kids make a card with a special note inside.  Sometimes a heart felt note is worth much more than any gift.

Gotta little time?  If you can’t send in a gift without a crafty touch. Check out our Pinterest Board with a lot teacher gift ideas.

Ever Present by JD Hancock is licensed under CreativeCommons license 2.0.  Modified to include type.

Children require structure and routine to feel safe, build character, and promote responsible behavior. Although the benefits of structure cannot be denied, is there such a thing as too much structure?  Should there be a limit on the number of extracurricular activities a child should participate in?

Children should be encouraged to try new activities and ideas.  Mastering a new activity creates self-confidence, and boost self-perception.  If this is true then structured activities should be a great idea.  When we over schedule children in structured activities we limit their autonomy in creating ideas, problem solving, and making decisions. We also reduce their ability to initiate tasks independently. These are critical skills that children will need as they become adults.   The right balance of free time and structured activities helps to promote executive functioning skills.  Executive functioning skills may include planning, organizing, and creating solutions to problems.

What can parents do?

Assess the balance.  Does your child have an adequate balance between structured activities and free time? Does this balance include academics, time spent with family and friends (outside of the structured activity), free and structured time?

Listen to your child.  Listen to the concerns your child may raise about things that are going well with the structured activity as well as any dislikes. It may be time to reassess the balance particularly if their interest has waned or other areas are falling behind.

Make room for down time or free time.  This is important in fostering creativity and may reduce the “I’m bored,” conversation over time. As the child has free time, he or she has to make decisions about how to spend that time. Hobbies and special interest may generate from this time.

Priscilla Wright is a licensed professional counselor practicing at Commonwealth Behavioral Health Inc. located in Midlothian, Virginia. Ms. Wright holds a master’s degree in Counselor Education and is currently completing a doctorate in Counseling Psychology. Ms. Wright is also a National Certified Counselor. AtCommonwealth Behavioral Health Inc., Ms. Wright works with children, adolescents, and adults on issues to include stress management, co-parenting, as well as anxiety and mood disorders. Ms. Wright believes in a holistic (looking at the person as a whole) approach to practice. Ms. Wright’s research interest includes topics on intellectual disabilities, stress management, and topics regarding family systems.

By Steve Green, Executive Director
Sylvan Learning of Richmond

It’s that time of the school year again – report card time.  While many students will come home with good grades, others would rather stuff their report cards deep into their backpacks than show them to their parents.  As parents, you want your child to do well in school, so what do you do when your child’s report card doesn’t reflect his or her academic potential?

Children get frustrated and upset when their report cards show they are not reaching their potential. Understanding your child’s personal ability and determining if your expectations are too high will allow both you and your child to set appropriate goals for each class before report cards are distributed again.  It will also help establish an environment in which your child is not apprehensive about sharing his or her report card with you. 

Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, offers the following tips for parents on how to deal with a “poor” report card:

Set expectations. Not every child will earn all A’s, but that doesn’t mean your child should strive for less.  Talk with your child before the school year starts and explain that you won’t be upset if he doesn’t bring home all A’s – but that you will be upset if he doesn’t try his hardest and doesn’t ask for help.

Communicate with your child.  Don’t wait until report cards are issued to talk with your child about school and grades.  Talk with her every night and every week about homework.  Ask how she is doing in school and what subjects she finds challenging.     

Discuss your child’s performance with his teacher and/or guidance counselor.  Your child’s teacher and/or guidance counselor are the best sources for information about your child’s scholastic performance.  Your child’s teacher can recommend ways to help your child or point out difficulties he is having.  His guidance counselor can provide progress reports between reports cards or help set up additional parent-teacher conferences when necessary.    

Set goals for improvement with your child.  If your child is currently a C student — then setting a goal of getting all A’s may not be reasonable.  However, creating an improvement goal for each subject will help her work toward an attainable level for each class. 

Establish a personalized study plan with your child.  Your child should keep a schedule of all classes, assignments and key dates (e.g., project deadlines, big exams, etc).  As part of that schedule, he should include specific time for studying, projects and extracurricular activities.  The more comprehensive the schedule, the more efficient your child will be in completing his homework and the better he’ll do in school. 

Seek outside help.  Some children may need additional attention that can’t be provided in school.  Speak with your child’s teacher about tutoring or supplemental education providers to help your child work towards better grades in school.

Praise your child’s successes.  Praise your child for what she is doing well, whether it’s a specific academic subject or an extracurricular activity.  If your child is not doing well in English, but loves to read the latest Twilight book, show her the connection between the two. 

For more educational resources for children in grades pre-K through 12, please visit Sylvan Learning Center online or call 804-782-2377

Steve Green is the Executive Director of Sylvan Learning of Richmond, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels with more than 30 years of experience and nearly 800 centers located throughout North America. Sylvan’s trained and Sylvan-certified instructors provide personalized instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, study skills and test-prep for college entrance and state exams. Sylvan also hosts MomMinded.com, a blog offering tips and resources from moms and education experts. For more information, call 1-800-31-SUCCESS or visit www.sylvanlearning.com

Sylvan Learning is a sponsor of Richmondmom
Get 25% off your assessment at Sylvan when you mention Richmondmom.com

My youngest son is in middle school.

I repeat, my son is in middle school; land of sprouting pre-teens, decorated lockers, sudden bursts of hormones, brand new cell phones and embarrassing parents.

In preparation for this new adventure we had many a talk about middle school and new starts and how he would be perceived and how he would perceive people.

Let’s be clear, I want Donovan to be Donovan.

Donovan is unique, caring, obvious, verbose, athletic and hilarious.

Sometimes, all at the same time.

I’m not telling him not to be himself.  I’m just telling him to mute it a little bit, he doesn’t have to be Technicolor all of the time and especially not in the first five minutes.

I love that Donovan is prone to bursts of break dancing and that he bought a pink ruler to carry on his first day.

I love that he wrote a song this summer about pancakes and sings it like he’s Jon Bon Jovi or Elton John depending on his mood.

I love that his outfit of choice includes a hat that says “Bummer no Summer”.

I’m just not to sure the eight graders will appreciate a full- blown rendition of  “Flapjack Rock” complete with break dance moves and an “awesome air guitar solo.”

But he has watched his mother all his life.

I, upon meeting someone for the first time, might give him or her my whole life story before I even know his or her name.

I might challenge them to an arm wrestling match.

I might talk endlessly or ask them to dance.

My husband once told me you don’t have to put it ALL out there ALL at once; save a little something for someone special and he’s right.

So as our son heads off to the halls of Albert Hill and navigates the awkward weird tricky world that is middle school I say this:

Carry your pink ruler proudly, dance in the halls a little bit, wear skinny jeans and a “Bummer no Summer” hat if it pleases you, but save a little something for the second semester and for the people who turn out to be your true friends.

They are the ones who will truly appreciate those things that make you unique; laugh with you and not at you; and maybe, just maybe, join you in a chorus of “Flapjack Rock” if you’re lucky.

Wendigo Woods™ is a new Terror-tory this year at Busch Gardens

When the sun sets beginning September 12, Busch Gardens becomes a pretty frightening place.
Prepare to scream this fall when the infamous Howl-O-Scream® returns with some all new thrills for 2014.
Cursed music will be playing throughout the park stirring up some strange happenings.

Be careful as you try to unravel the secrets in Wendigo Woods™… mysterious creatures are lurking in the trees.

Head to the Globe Theatre for Monster Stomp™ on Ripper Row® – a “modern rock-and-rhythm spectacular” featuring Jack the Ripper with percussion, dynamic dance and singing.

If all that fear leaves you with a pit of hunger in your stomach, there will be two new places to dine Igor’s Fright Feast™, an all you can eat buffet, and Crow’s Nest Grill™ a pirate themed galley in Ports of Skull™.

Howl-O-Scream® will prey on visitors daily from September 12 – October 26th after 6pm.
Click here for tickets (if you dare).

Moving on to middle school can be an exciting time.  Some children embrace this change while others find it difficult. Here are a few things that parents can do to ease the transition.

School Environment: The expectations are greater in middle school. Students are expected to keep track of and complete multiple assignments. Adjust to the teaching styles of 6 or 7 teachers as opposed to 1 teacher (in most elementary school settings).

• Parents can help their child by selecting an organizer that may work best for the child.

• Parents can also help students keep track of assignments by checking in via the school’s electronic classroom, a virtual environment were assignments and grades are posted.

Peers:  Peer groups may change in middle school due to the merging of other schools. This may mean new peers and or the loss of older peer relationships. At this age, children are exploring new interest and align themselves with peers who share those interests. Children are starting to change physically, cognitively, and, emotionally.

• Continue to praise your child for their accomplishments. Encourage your child’s interest.

• Make time to have conversations with your child. Have a daily check-in with your child about his or her day.

• If problems are starting to arise with schoolwork, check in with your child, and the subject matter teacher to find solutions.

Involvement: Parental involvement in academics may decrease in middle school. Maintain an active presence in your child’s academic career. Children whose parents are involved in their studies have grater potential for academic success.

Priscilla Wright is a licensed professional counselor practicing at Commonwealth Behavioral Health Inc. located in Midlothian, Virginia. Ms. Wright holds a master’s degree in Counselor Education and is currently completing a doctorate in Counseling Psychology. Ms. Wright is also a National Certified Counselor. At Commonwealth Behavioral Health Inc., Ms. Wright works with children, adolescents, and adults on issues to include stress management, co-parenting, as well as anxiety and mood disorders. Ms. Wright believes in a holistic (looking at the person as a whole) approach to practice. Ms. Wright’s research interest includes topics on intellectual disabilities, stress management, and topics regarding family systems.

 

For many students, the first day of school doesn’t only bring new teachers and new friends – it can also be a source of anxiety with homework assignments and tests just around the corner. Starting the school year off on the right foot can help minimize students’ stress levels throughout the year.

Get Cleaning. A dirty, cluttered room is not conducive to studying. Get organized before homework starts piling up.

• Remove seldom-worn clothing.
• Pack away belongings not used on a regular basis.
• For smaller children, label areas so they can easily see where belongings should go.

Carve Out A Homework Spot. Whether it is in your bedroom, the basement, or a family office, find an area where you can work distraction-free and claim it as your official workspace.

• Pick a place that is always available and where you feel comfortable doing schoolwork.
• Stock the area with all of the supplies and tools that are needed to complete homework.

Get Organized. Organization is key to ensure you stay on top of the requirements for each subject.
Use separate, labeled notebooks for each class.

• Create files for each subject. The folders can hold assignments, essays, handouts and notes taken during classes.
• Purchase a planner or calendar to keep track of important dates and deadlines.

Set Educational Goals. Whether it is striving for an A in a certain subject, handing in all homework on time or preparing for tests well in advance, setting goals can help establish a routine for the new year.

• Set goals that are measurable, specific, reasonable and have personal value.

Stay On Schedule. Minimize last minute cramming or deadline mix-ups by creating a detailed school schedule.

• Include all classes, assignments and key dates, such as project deadlines and test dates. Fill in new dates as they arise.
• Schedule specific times for studying, projects and extracurricular activities. The more thorough the schedule, the more helpful it will be to you.

Know The School. If you ever feel swamped with back to school madness, ask for help. Schools assist students with transitioning from one grade to another. Meet with your guidance counselor and/or teachers. If you are still nervous, ask your mom or dad to drop you off at school on the first day of class.

Be Adventurous. Step out of your comfort zone this school year by trying new things academically and in terms of extracurricular activities.

• Try every type of class and/or activity. You never know what your strengths are until you experience as much as you can.
• Challenge yourself. If you have the opportunity, take the hardest classes – not the easiest subjects.
• Ask questions. There is nothing wrong with not always knowing the answer. Asking questions is the best way to learn!

Think Positive. Yes, going back to school means homework and early mornings. It also means reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people, resuming fun extracurricular activities, learning more about your favorite subjects and improving on your last year’s performance.
For more educational resources for children in grades pre-K through 12, please visit www.SylvanLearning.com or call 804-782-2377

Steve Green is the Executive Director and Owner of the Richmond Sylvan Learning Centers, which is the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels with more than 30 years of experience and nearly 800 centers located throughout North America. Sylvan’s trained and Sylvan-certified instructors provide personalized instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, study skills and test-prep for college entrance and state exams. Sylvan also hosts MomMinded.com, a blog offering tips and resources from moms and education experts. For more information, call 1-800-31-SUCCESS or visit www.SylvanLearning.com

This Article is Sponsored by Sylvan Learning Center of Richmond

That’s it, I thought. Elementary school is officially over for us!

It’s mind-boggling when I think about her journey. I still remember a dreamy-eyed little Texas girl, going to kindergarten in Michigan, not too sure what she was getting into… and having to learn to deal with winter gear! Snow pants! Boots! Jacket, hat, neck-gaiter, gloves! The poor kid was the last to get outside and the last to get back to her desk every day that year. But eventually, she learned to love the snow.

When I look at the scrapbooks for the St. Joseph years they were full of post-card pretty images of winter snow-forts, brownie troop events and summers at the beach. But what they don’t show was the growing disconnect between her and school work. Report card comments became very repetitive: “Dahlia is obviously very intelligent but needs to focus more on her work.” “Dahlia has is a very creative child, but needs to listen.” “Dahlia needs to pay better attention to instructions.” What had seemed like normal behavior in kindergarten, by second grade was starting to look like something much bigger.

We didn’t start getting answers until we moved here to Virginia in third grade, and were blessed with an astute teacher, who was our champion during a difficult IEP process, and a great pediatrician, who hooked us up with the right specialists. To our surprise, Dahlia turned out to have not just one learning disorder but several!

Fourth and fifth grade were an even bigger journey for her, not just academically, but also in terms of growing up! Good-bye Hannah Andersson — hello Justice! Good-bye kid shows – hello Disney teens! Strong opinions about music! Nail polish, lip gloss, jewelry… “Should I be crushing on a boy by now?” Answer: “Of course not!” Video games! Cell phone! When did all this happen?!!

And she has become such a character: creative, honest, individualistic, self-aware, and always ready with a quip. One of her teachers once confided in us, “Actually, I think she’s fabulous!”

All I can say now is “You go girl! Middle School better watch out!”