5 Things I Do Every day as a Mom and Teacher
Eat Dinner together
I know familiy dinners are not always possible, but at my house we try to make it happen at least five times a week. The research is just too strong to ignore the benefits of sitting down and eating together. Family dinners have been linked to a lower risk of obesity, substance abuse, eating disorders and depression! They allow parents and children to share daily experiences and participate in meaningful conversations. It provides opportunities for teaching and reinforcing social skills such as manners, respect, turn taking and listening. Children learn communication skills by participating in dinner conversations and observing the interactions of family members. A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that frequent family dinners are associated with better family communication and closer relationships between parents and children. My own children look forward to our family dinners. They thrive on this routine and consistency. If you are interesting in learning more about the benefits of family dinners or are looking for ways to improve the interactions at your dinners check out the Family Dinner Project The Family Dinner Project - The Family Dinner Project They provide conversation starters, fun meal-time activities, and advice on how to make family dinners possible in your house.
2. Read aloud to my children
I know this one seems like common sense, but so often life gets busy, kids get older and bedtime stories seem to be one of the first things to disappear. Reading to children (especially big kids!) is one of the best gifts you can give your child. Research shows that reading to your children drastically improves their vocabulary, listening comprehension, and attention span. If that is not enough it also fosters bonding between you and your children and cultivates a love of reading.
3. Have my children read aloud
Similar to reading TO your children, it is also important to have them read to you! This provides children an opportunity to practice reading fluency. As a teacher I can tell you that children do not get enough reading fluency practice at school. It is nearly impossible to have a classroom full of students practice reading out loud enough during the day. Listening to your child read also gives them your undivided attention and builds confidence. If your child is too young to read have them do a picture walk (they look at the pictures and tell the story) or have them pick out a few sight words or even letters that they know. This will keep them engaged and help them build a love of reading.
4. Practice Personal Information
Here is another one that seems like common sense, but as a teacher I can’t tell you how many times I have asked my students for their address or even their parent’s first names and they are not able to answer. As early as 2-3 years old children should begin to memorize important names, phone numbers and addresses. We love to practice in the car, in the bathtub or even right before bed. My four-year-old was able to learn my phone number by making it a little song she sings before bed. Here is some information I recommend children learning before age six; their full name, parent’s full names, address (including the town/city), and at least one emergency phone number, even better if you can have them practice dialing the phone.
5. Practice Math Facts
This one may be controversial for some people, but as an educator I feel strongly about the need for math fact fluency. I am not saying it isn’t important for children to understand math concepts and that they should only be memorizing. They will learn that in school. I promise! Proficiency in math facts lays the groundwork for success in higher-level math courses. A longitudinal study published in "The Journal of Educational Research" found that math fact fluency in elementary school was a strong predictor of math achievement in high school. Proficiency in math facts enables students to solve more complex problems efficiently. When children don't have to spend mental energy on basic facts, they can focus on understanding and solving higher-level math problems. Simply practicing addition, subtraction and multiplication for a few minutes a day will make a huge impact!
