Parent Involvement

Research is very clear that children's number one teachers are their parents. Therefore, we encourage you to stay involved in your child's education. These ages are wonderful times with your children. For the most part they continue to enjoy your company and welcome you as a volunteer in their school or classroom. It is helpful as parents to understand the developmental stage of our children, in order to better help support them. Third, fourth and fifth grades are considered "middle years" and at these ages our children are beginning to move from childhood into early adolescence, which experts say is from ages nine to fifteen. Here's a summary of what the experts say about children these ages:

THE EIGHT YEAR OLD .....

Carelessness begins to show.

He often works or plays to the point of exhaustion.

At eight, they want to meet the community.

They prefer to work and play in groups. This is the "club" stage.

They are interested in relationships with others.

There is an interest in the family group, but they have difficulty getting along with

siblings, as they are very sensitive.

Eight year old try to express their ideas and take part in activities which are

beyond their capacity.

There is lots of frustration and angry feelings are expressed.

They are beginning to develop some understanding of space and time.

They respond well to praise and comments on improvements as a discipline

method.

THE NINE, TEN AND ELEVEN YEAR OLD .......

This is a period of transition.

Childish patterns of behavior are discarded. They are developing their own

attitudes, independent of adults.

Conduct is inconsistent and disorganized.

They are restless and moody.

Signs of sexual development can be seen.

There can be regression to infantile habits of nail biting, tears, etc.

This is the age of peer influence.

There is strong motivation in group competition and lots of teamwork cooperation.

They like to work on group projects and enjoy boy/girl competition.

Loyalty to group and family is noticeable.

They are hero worshippers.

They have a longer attention span now and increased memory detail.

Details are more clearly seen than main ideas.

They are interested in the concrete and real more than the abstract.

There is an increased mastery of "tool skills," especially in reading.

They are collectors and excellent model builders.

Clear limits are needed on behavior at this time. They need to know what is

expected of them and what the consequences will be for their actions.

Stay involved with your children. We welcome your input, suggestions and hope you can volunteer with us. There are many opportunities at school such as:

classroom volunteers

library volunteers

PTO volunteers for committees, activities and fun (opportunities for

working parents and those at home)

building committees: Diversity, Budget, Technology, Public Relations

Get to know your children's friends, your neighbors, become involved in the community, attend community gatherings. Attend Board of Education and Board of Finance meetings. Most of all, stay informed, ask questions and come visit us!

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ABOUT RAISING CHILDREN

Ames, Ilg & Baker, Your Ten to Fourteen Year Old

Canter & Hauser, Homework without Tears

Clarke & Dawson, Growing Up Again, Parenting Ourselves, Parenting our Children

Cray, Elizabeth, Pick Up Your Socks, A Practical Guide to Raising Responsible

Children

Nelson, Lott & Glenn, Positive Discipline A to Z, 1001 Solutions of Everyday

Parenting Problems

Schaefer & DiGeronimo, How to Talk to Your Kids About Really Important Things

There are many wonderful books about raising children, we encourage you to visit your local book store and browse through the parenting section.

INTERESTING WEB SITES TO VISIT

WonderKorner Parents Page, parenting information and links to other sites.