Message From the Principal
Dear Lake Tapps Parents,
Don't you wish our kids all came with operating manuals? Being a parent is such a daunting responsibility that, at times, we can tend to over-protect them. I fear the pandemic lockdown may have exacerbated this problem. Our children spent more time at home with their parents, had less engagement with peers (preschool, playdates, etc) than in the past.
All of that to say that I have noticed some things that surprise me this year and I wanted to put them out there for your consideration and reflection....
- Most of the children I talk to don't know YOUR phone number or who to call in an emergency.
- Most children I have talked to don't know their address
- Some children don't know their their first, middle and last names .
- Many children don't know how to tie their shoes, zip up their coat, and other self-care things
- Some children default to wanting adults to help them when they encounter a problem or challenge at school.
In "the olden days," when I taught kindergarten, these were things ALL my students learned. In fact, those things were the most important pieces of the curriculum!
Most of the things on my list are there for safety reasons.. But they are also important for less tangible reasons. Letting your child experience and resolve challenges is an important part of building independence and maturity. Building independence with self care skills and problem solving promotes confidence and self-esteem. Confidence in oneself can reduce anxiousness. Also......
- Fosters self-reliance, allowing your child to feel they have control over their life.
- Provides them with the belief that they are competent and capable of taking care of themselves which makes them resilient to external challenges.
- Develops other vital qualities such as patience, concentration, self-help, cooperation, self-discipline and self-trust
- Makes them happy and healthy as they feel a great sense of achievement and success as a direct result of their own actions.
Just a little food for thought......
Best,
Paula Bond
Principal
