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Self-Esteem Grows When Kids Feel They Belong - Part Two
Belonging To The School Community:
Many children do not feel as if they are part of their school community, which makes learning that much more difficult. They are so uncomfortable, and feel so poorly about themselves inthat setting, that they have difficulty concentrating, seeking help, joining clubs, and attending after-school events.
School personnel will work to foster a sense of community at your child's school, but parents can help as well. If you see your child isn't involved in the school community, here are some suggestions.
Tips on How to Help Your Child Become Part of the School Community
1. Encourage your child to join one or more after school activities. If none exist in an area in which he is interested, encourage him to start one with one or more of his friends and a teacher to serve as an advisor. Possible examples include: math club, paper recycling club, video game club.
2. Encourage your child to join a sport. Consider team or individual types of sports.
3. Encourage your child to participate in the drama club. There are acting as well as non-acting roles (scenery, lighting, and special effects).
4. If your child is already in the school band, encourage him to join one of the other bands, such as: marching, show, jazz, or dance. If these don't exist, consider starting one at school.
5. Consider getting involved yourself by teaching an after school activity your child may be interested in.
6. Become the class parent to help with class events.
7. Volunteer at school events.
8. Join and attend PTA and/or school board meetings.
9. Request or initiate programs and services if you need them.
10. Keep in touch with the teacher(s) to brain storm on how tohelp your child become more involved in the school community.
Belonging To The Local Community:
Your child will benefit from participating in his extended neighbourhood or community. This may be easier said than done, as your life may be so hectic that you may not feel much like a member of your own community yourself. Regardless, there are many things you can do to help your child feel a sense of belonging to the town where you live - his hometown.
Tips on How to Help Your Child Become Part of the Local Community
1. Encourage your child to play with the neighbourhood kids and to join a youth group, team, or club.
2. Take your child to the public library - not just for books,but for activities as well.
3. Have your child volunteer at a local hospital, historical society, or religious or other community institution.
4. Show your child his community's special features and resources - its buildings, parks, natural features, stores, and schools.
5. Set a good example for your child by participating in community events.
6. Instruct your child on what to say and do in social situations, such as talking to an elderly person who has difficulty hearing, attending a funeral, or just some pointers on chatting with neighbours at the community gathering. Naturally, these events have to be age-appropriate.
7. Encourage your child to help others. Maybe your child can help the three-year-old girl next door to tie her shoes. Or, when a disabled person is having difficulty getting through the front door of a store, perhaps you can ask your child to hold it open. (Note: Be sure not to push this point. If you insist on nagging your child about this, he may end up resenting it and thinking you care more about others than you do for him.)
In conclusion, by helping children become a part of the family and the school and local communities, parents provide them with opportunities for interactions that will make them feel accepted, a part of something greater than themselves. They will develop a sense of pride, fertile ground for self-esteem to grow. And, they will feel important, because they are important.
Note: For additional information on the learning disability (LD) issue, contact the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA). For additional information on AD/HD, contact CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder organization).
(Originally published at Strong Learning website and reprinted with permission of the authors, Linda Bress Silbert, Ph.D. and Alvin J. Silbert, Ed.D.)
About the author:
Linda Bress Silbert, Ph.D. and Alvin J. Silbert, Ed.D. are the founders/directors of STRONG Learning Centers in New York. They've written over 40 books and developed 20 phonics games for children of all ages. To learn more about the Silberts and the STRONG Method, visit their website Our EducationalBooks. To subscribe to their free e-zine, send a blank email to: subscribe@StrongLearning.com.
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| Linda Bress Silbert, Ph.D. And Alvin J. Silbert, Ed.D. |
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