District 5 Counselling Support
Our Parents: Pillars of Hope and Support in Education
Our newsletter is based on our Zoom Parenting Workshop Presentation on Thursday December 10, 2020 to the Parents of District 5.
Building a Hope Mindset
Many persons may have lost their jobs, loved ones.
We are aware that many of you worry about your children’s education!
We want to acknowledge that you Parents are Pillars of Hope and Support In Education.
Without you, the schools, nor your children will succeed.
We NEED YOU!
A hopeful mindset would have seen the glass as being refillable!
Well, we are HOPEFUL that by the end of this newsletter, everyone will leave here with just a little more HOPE than they came in with.
· The way you talk to yourself makes a huge impact on your mindset!
· If you cannot find the good in a situation, add ‘yet’ to whatever thoughts may go through your mind.
· Start changing negative thoughts and statements to end in ‘yet!’
· Focus on the future. Ask yourself what you can do to shape your own future. Then start setting some goals!
· Find inspiration—in books, songs, others, church…
· Celebrate successes.
· Relish moments of joy, love, laughter.
· Be patient! - we all have good days and bad days. Things can and will get better. It may just take longer than you want.
· Talk about your challenges to other parents, counsellor, pastor/priest, friend. This talk may help to change your perspective.
· Lend a hand where you can-spread hope!
· Take care of your body, mind, heart and soul.
According to Dr. Alan Wolfelt:
"Despite these challenging times, the door you open to hope each and every day, will influence the quality of your life."
Consciously choosing hope means deliberately focusing on it, paying attention to it, and inviting it in.
Moment by moment, choose hope over fear.
Choose hope instead of despair.
If you start to feel hopeless, act with intention to bring hope to that moment.
Know what is within your control. Learn to be ok with trusting your resilience.
Keep the ‘Serenity Prayer’ close at all times:
Hope is all around!
When hope seems illusive, turn to others who have hope to lend:
- Those who have a hopeful outlook on life
- Those with positive energy
- Those who make you smile
- Those who are caring and nonjudgmental listeners
Every storm runs out of rain!
If plan A does not work out, the alphabet has 25 more letters!
Ways Parents can Support in their Children’s Education
1. Be a role model
Parents are their child’s first teachers.
Provides a sense of support and confidence.
Helps improve vocabulary and promote interest in reading.
3. Oversee child’s activity
Have an eye on daily activities at home and school..
Give timely advice and correct abnormal behaviours.
Balance the time between play, rest, school work etc.
5. Provide a pleasant atmosphere.
Practice discipline and respect.
Avoid discussing family problems in children’s presence.
6. Give constructive criticism.
Give correction from the beginning.
Exercise patience.
Help them understand right from wrong.
7. Help them with home assignments.
Giving good support to children in their studies would really lift their spirits for learning.
8. Prepare them for tests.
Give guidance and support.
Can conduct mini tests.
Give help with the lesson areas in which they are weak.
Praise and encourage children.
- Praise
- Touch
- Privileges
- Objects
- Allowance
Don’t overshower them with gifts for average performance.
Visit places with some relevance with what they were studying to help them have a better understanding.
11. Maintain parent teacher relationships.
Participate in your child’s school.
12. Set aside time for children.
Never leave children at home lonely.
13. Monitor their learning.
14. Prioritize your child’s learning.
Avoid unnecessary trips or activities that affect their study schedule.
15. Share your personal experience.
Include positive and negative experiences to help them understand the importance of learning.
17. Talk with your child.
18. Encourage active learning.
19. Help children relax.
20. Be a good friend.
Making your Home into a Workable School
Create a Home School Area or a Home Work Area.
Chose a place in your house that you can re-purpose to use for school. Try to avoid using the bedroom especially for young children.
Ensure that the area chosen is free from distractions or has limited distractions, is well lit and has proper ventilation.
Place a table or desk and a chair in the area so the child can use.
Ensure that when your child comes into this place he/she comes with the materials needed (books, pens/pencils, smart device etc).
Ensure that any devices which are not being used for school are kept out of this area to limit distractions.
If possible, pop in periodically to see what your child is doing especially when using a smart device.
Please Note:
•Establish a working routine with your child. Prepare for the work day the night before. Put books aside for the classes for the next day.
•Have them wake at the same time everyday just as they would have done if they were heading to the school plant.
•Ensure they have a good breakfast, shower and dress for the day.
•When your child moves to the home school area they should be ready for school.
•Providing that school buildings reopen, the home school area is also well suited as a home work area.
Ensure that the above tips are followed.
Self Care Tips
Physically
•Nourish your bodies with good food - fruits and vegetables.
•Drink lots of water- 8 glasses a day.
•Get enough sleep- at least 6.5 to 8 hours.
•Exercise regularly.
•Practice deep breathing.
•Find relaxing activities to do just for fun such as gardening, sewing etc.
•Go for a massage or let your partner massage you.
•Do your hair and make yourself look beautiful.
Mentally
•Read an inspiring book.
•Look at an enjoyable movie or listen to an inspirational programme.
•Avoid too much bad/ negative news and conversations.
•Take breaks from social media as it can create fear and anxiety.
•Create a structure in your life and know what you want your day to look like.
•Before you go to bed you can make a ”To Do List” for the following day.
Emotionally
•Journaling, or just writing how you feel or how your day was can be very helpful/ therapeutic.
•Share your feelings with trusted friends.
•Enjoy the simple and free things which life has to offer.
•Laugh a lot. Do not take yourself too seriously.
•When you need help, ask for it.
•If people are making demands on you and you need to say no, say no.
Spirituality
•Listen to music which inspires and relaxes you.
•Look or listen to spiritual programmes on TV or on radio.
•Find and read passages from the Bible which are encouraging and give you hope and repeat them often for example:
“ The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”
•Our source of strength is God; pray often and believe that God loves and cares for you and that through Him you can accomplish anything.
•Pray with and for your children.
•Bless them and have positive conversations with them during the day.
•Encourage and remind them that you love them.
Thank You for Viewing and Reading!
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