Take the Stress out of homework

Has your child had a rough first half of the year when it comes to homework? Well, let's start 2012 with happy homework experiences.  It's never too late to introduce new ideas, feelings, and routines to your child's day.  Here are some helpful hints to make their homework routine stress free and more enjoyable...

• Be sure your attitude is positive: Homework time should not come across as "a chore" for the parent or something viewed as negative.  It should be quality time spent together after a long day apart.  Try not to rush them or make them feel pressured to complete quickly.  Keep it calm and relaxed.
• Eradicate distractions: I for one send my younger children to a separate floor/different room of the house with a quiet activity.  They understand that this special time of the day is respected and allow their sister to work with little to no sibling distractions. This will help them as they transition into the same daily homework routine.
• Do homework at the same time every day: It's a fact that the best time to complete homework is immediately after school, however some kids need a break.  Keep their break short (under 30 minutes) so they are able to refocus on the assigned tasks.
• As much as a consistent homework space is important, mixing it up every once and awhile and keeping it fun can do wonders for their motivation and excitement.  Who wouldn't love doing their homework in the bath tub or under the dining room table or outside in a tent?
• Join them in their homework: Be your child's homework helper. If you are assessable while your child does their homework, they are more likely to ask questions when they need help.  For us it's a wonderful way to have a conversation about their day, their every changing likes, dislikes, and school drama.  You can both share about your day. Often, just having a friendly, non competitive, face beside them with no stress involved, will allow them to have a clear head.  Therefore creating a stress free environment.
• Make snacks special: Children deserve a reward after a long day at school.  A little sugar motivation never hurt a soul! For those looking for creative healthy ideas, here's a link.... http://www.parenting.com/gallery/healthy-kids-snacks?pnid=365653
• Encourage them to talk and move while they work: Home is not school, they can talk, sing, sit on their legs, squiggle, and wiggle as long as they're focused and working. Give them an exercise ball to gently bounce on as they work.
• Last but not least....Smile a lot!!!: Be sure to tell them how proud of them you are and that you enjoy this "homework time" with them.  They are working hard and deserve a hug everyday!

Reading Resolution

Happy New Year from The Circle Connection

New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want or need to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.  The Circle Connection purposes that your #1 resolution for 2012 should be to....

Read out loud to your children every single day!!!!

There comes a time when our children become more independent readers and begin reading mostly on their own.. this may happen in 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd grade.  It may be possible that you no longer sit down during the day or at the end of the day to read to them anymore?   We feel it is still extremely important to spend the time reading each and every day with your children of all ages.  The benefits of finding a cozy spot and cuddling with your child are ten fold...A stronger relationship with you, better communication skills, more logical thinking skills, better communication skills, and the knowledge that reading is fun!!! They are never too old to appreciate a good story, your time, your familiar soothing voice, and the warmth of your touch.

Reading research indicates that the single most important activity for building knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children. (Anderson et al., 1985)  According to Mem Fox, author of Reading Magic, "If parents understood the huge educational benefit and intense happiness brought about by reading aloud to their children, and if every parent—and every adult caring for a child—read aloud a minimum of three stories a day to the children in their lives, we could probably wipe out illiteracy within one generation."

 Wow just think of that possibility!!!