{Guest Post} 10 Ways to Grow a Model Student

Let's kick off the school week with a little something from our resident teacher and one of my besties. That's right, Leah is back at it! Working her funny and informative magic :) I'm thrilled she is back at That Mama Gretchen sharing her tid bits of wisdom today. With Jemma starting preschool in the fall I'm ready to implement her tips ASAP. 

Oh, and don't forget to enter the Umi Ring Sling (ends 2/8) and Baltic Amber (ends 1/30) giveaways!

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First off I would like to say, once again, that I am a teacher.  I would also like to add that some of the things I write are based on good, solid research…

And some of it is based on gut.

Take what you will from what I write and leave the rest.  (and don’t get all judgy on grammar and punctuation.  I’m a teacher, not a perfectionist.  And writing for a blog is quite different than writing an essay).  Enjoy!

10 Ways to Grow a Model Student

- in no particular order -

Some kids are amazing.  Okay…ALL kids are amazing in different ways.  Some kids are born students who come to school on the daily eager to feed their little brains and challenge their skills. 

AND SOME ARE NOT. 

Here are a few things that might help mold your little munchkin into a model student or at the very least, make your child and your school's endeavors slightly more successful.

1. Give them experiences. Yes, taking your child to a play or visiting the zoo or a museum are fabulous activities.  I suggest you do these things when you can.  But most people don’t have the time or resources to make big field trips like this a super regular occurrence. Instead, fill their daily lives with simple experiences like going to the park or learning to play an organized game.
2. Read. I don’t mean reading to them or with them right now.  Both those activities are vitally important, but most people already know that.  I’m talking about YOU READING.  Let them see you getting lost in a book or even a magazine article.  Talk about what you’re reading and ask them about their book.  Create a home environment where reading is looked at for what it should be: an enjoyable/informative pastime.
3. Create Learning Opportunities. You don’t have to be a teacher to give your kiddos a chance to show off their skills.  Let them help figure the cost of items at the grocery store.  Play a fast fact game as you drive.  Let them help you measure and cook.  Not only is it helpful and fun at the same time, but it also allows your kids to see practical application of what they are learning in school.
4. Let them Teach YOU. There is no better way to cement a new skill into a nice and spongy brain than to teach it!  Let them tell you while they show you.  
5. Feed them breakfast. It’s easy to let those crazy mornings before school lead to a pop tart on the way out the door or even no breakfast at all ... but breakfast is so important for kids.  If they are hungry at school their minds go from adding to eating in no time flat.  Brainstorm some fast and healthy breakfast staples to have at home.  Teach them how to pop their own piece of whole wheat bread in the toaster and slather it with peanut butter and banana! Or, make it the night before.
6. Socialize. Give your child a chance to socialize with a variety of people.  Take them with you to visit an elderly grandparent or friend.  Give them an opportunity to spend time with other adults and help them learn how to talk to people other than their peers.
7. Communicate with their teacher. Let your child know that you and their teacher are working together.  Talk positively about school and what they are learning.  
8. Give them chores. A child who has responsibilities at home will translate to a child who is more organized and responsible at school.
9. Expect manners. “Pleases” and “Thank yous” go a long way at home, at school and in life.  Some key phrases that every school-aged child should be able to use: “Excuse me”, “Good Morning”, “May I ___________?”, “Please”, “Thank you” and “I’m sorry”. 
10. Treat them SMART. Your child is a smart, capable, wonderful learner.  Treat them that way all of the time.  Comments like, “She’s always struggled with math” or “He just doesn’t like to read” are more damaging than one might think.  Instead praise their abilities and teach them that challenges are an opportunity to grow.  Here are some go-to phrases for parents to use on their kiddos: “Wow! I can tell you worked really hard on this!”, “Look how much you’ve improved!”, “I’m proud of you!”, “You’re getting so good at _____” and “Don’t you feel proud of yourself?”.

photo source

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 My name is Leah. 

I spend 7 hours a day with 5th graders.  I do this because it is my job.  I also do this because I like it and I love them.  I have my own baby boy that I get to come home to every afternoon, but my days are filled to the brim with long division, fractions, colony reports, and drama, like only an 11 year old girl can provide. 

There.  That is the perspective from which I am writing: I am a teacher.