Why does getting your child to do something for you one day seem so simple, yet another day seem almost impossible? The good news is that educational researchers from around the world have also wondered the same thing, and have found some answers. Just like the proverbial struggling actor trying to define his character, it comes down to the simple question of, "What's my motivation?" Types of motivation … Things that motivate your child can all be organized into two main categories: intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external) factors. When kids are intrinsically motivated they do not need external forces... More »
Each month countless opportunities for celebration occur in each of our children's lives, yet as parents sometimes we do not recognize them for what they are ... with December being no exception. This month your child received his/her first term report card which may have contained average or even below average results. Does this represent an opportunity for celebration? You may be surprised ... Why should you celebrate? Although often taken for granted, the act of celebration affords our children many important opportunities. Celebration provides time for reflection. It allows you and your child a chance to stop and... More »
I hated Math in school. It just didn't make sense. The teacher stood at the front of the room, drew numbers and diagrams on the board and told us to memorize the facts and formulas. For the kids who were able to intuitively "break the code" and understand what was going on, Math was great. But for the rest of us Math remained a constant struggle. Does this sound like you or your kids? Well, I'm here to tell you, it doesn’t have to be that way. But how do you help a child who struggles in Math? Practising... More »
Money. It's something we all eventually earn and use, but often without much guidance or training. Although its face value is covered in school, wouldn't it have been nice if someone had given you a few lessons on how to handle money when you were young? While it may be impossible to travel in time, you do have a chance to relive your youth through your children—teaching them the lessons you may have missed yourself. Whether preschoolers or pubescent, here are several simple ideas on how to extend the curriculum and teach your children about financial responsibility and the... More »
You know there are many things you can do to help your child meet with better success in school: ensure they get enough sleep and exercise, feed them nutritious lunches, and help them with their homework. But did you know there is another strategy that takes only a few minutes a day but almost always makes a positive difference in your child's school experience? You may not, as many teachers report less than half their parents do it. What is it? Nothing more than regularly communicating with your child's teacher. Now it may sound silly, but you would be... More »
Every September parents remind their children about the potential risks of traffic and talking to strangers to and from school. However, this year I would invite you to add one more potential danger to the list—protecting your child from an old but silent predator …the backpack! "Every year school age children make more than 13,000 backpack related office or emergency room visits in North America," reports Dr. Larry Smith D.C., B.P.E. a Chiropractor in Parksville B.C., "And in the past seven years there have been more than twenty documented studies showing that improperly worn backpacks may cause long term... More »
