Nov
28
2008
After School Activities – How Much is Too Much?
Posted by admin in Middle School Article, tags: Aptitude, Fun Activities, Rigors, Team Sports, Trip To The LibraryShould your child go out for football practice when it’s 5 days a week? Aren’t 3 days enough? It’s common for parents to be a little confused when it comes to deciding how much is too much with reference to after school activities. Many think that since most of these activities are ‘fun’ (as opposed to in-school studies), children will simply lap up these classes. But, too much of this ‘fun’ can also make a child burned out or sick.
Here’s a simple guide that will help you decide how much is too much for your child.
Kindergarten
Your child is just beginning to learn to interact and get used to discipline. Her after-school life should be simple and carefree. One or two classes per week are plenty to start with. Try a trip to the library or your favorite book store for a weekly reading circle. Once she settles down, you can look for more challenging activities like a music or art program.
Grade 1
One or two activities per week, including play dates and playground visits are recommended. Avoid competitive sports activities at this point. Your son is still too young to have to worry about winning and losing. After the rigors of a full day at school, he needs a healthy outlet for pent up energy. Physical activities and non-competitive sports are best for this age group.
Grade 2
Your child is old enough to voice opinions on what activities he wants. Sports, skating, swimming or computers – steer him towards things he likes or shows an aptitude for. Many children begin lessons on a musical instrument around this age. Don’t forget to allow your child some ‘alone time’ during which he can unwind and just do whatever he wishes.
Grade 3
Socialization begins to take center stage. Team sports are a great choice. Developing motor skills, painting, drawing, and dance are good Continue Reading
Nov
25
2008
Middle School Students Caught In The Middle
Posted by admin in Middle School Article, tags: Career Challenges, Government Teachers, High School Students, Technology Careers, Wind TechnologyIt’s amazing how easy it is to forget about the middle school years. Do you remember your crazy middle school years? Middle school students are often caught in the middle while we focus on preparing high school students for college. There needs to be national attention focused on the middle school years to prepare them for the career challenges that face this country. I have noticed that even those who write books focus their efforts on elementary and high school students and leave middle school students out. If you ever attend a national book fair there are limited creative efforts to excite middle school students to read. Any parent who is raising a middle school student can tell you that they are in a different transition in their lives. Communicating with middle school students can be challenging if you are unwilling to admit that you are not perfect. Middle school students need parents and teachers who will let them know that they care.
There should be a national effort to help middle school students to explore all types of careers. The rapid changes technology careers that are happening around the world are still far away from the minds of middle school students in this country. Now is the time to make them a part of the green revolution in solar and wind energy. It would be great to see how these students could envision their future with solar powered cars and wind technology that reduces the cost of energy in each home. Some of the most innovative students are wasting away in middle school because they continue to be taught by traditional methods. Maybe every middle school class should be full of green experiments that allow the students to find themselves and to make a mark on society using their creative ideas.
So who should care about middle school students? Everyone should care including parents, corporations, our government, teachers and Continue Reading