This was probability the best time that I had engaging with the students and their parents. I volunteered to work Mrs. Nelson again with her book fair. This gave me the opportunity to be able to see students with their parent at the same time as this was also their parent, teacher conference. One of the parents volunteered so I was able to spend a good amount of quality time with her and her daughter. When helping set up for the book fair I noticed a lot really has changed concerning the reading material. They had lots of books on Justin Beaver, Willow Smith etc. so I was wondering how parents felt about those kind of books.
The volunteer mom didn't purchase such books, but books about history like Coretta Scoot King and she talked about how much her children like to read and sing etc. She said that she was and her husband were both very involved in their children's activities, education and that her daughter gets personal torturing to help her improve in the areas where she is having difficulty. The volunteer mom stated that "it is imperative that parents be involved because it truly sets the stage for learning and expectations."
Having spent this time with the volunteer mom and her daughter was helpful to me because we sometimes pass judgement when we see a child away from their parent. I have always believe and this confirm my belief that learning begins in the home and is extended in the school. Children will succeed and be more successful when their parents activity participate, foster, be a positive role model and interact with their children in the home.
carmenisby.blog.com
It is amazing how much reading materials have changed. I understand the attempt to incorporate children's interests into to learning and reading, but what can a child possibly learn about Justin Bieber and Willow Smith that can be applied to the school setting? (Just my opinion). Parents and other family members are a child's first teacher. The involvement and participation that children see that parents engaged in sets the stage for the typeof involvement and participation the children themselves will devote to their own educational process.
ReplyDeleteHi Torri,
ReplyDeleteYou are so correct. I was surprised with the material that was presented for the book fair. It wasn't like it was when we were children. They had very few books that were for educational purposes and more like kiddie magazines to entertain. I actually stood and read the entire book on Willow Smith and her whole message was "I don't care what others think, I'm going to do what I want and be me". Her role model is guess who Lady Gaga and the book was all about her clothes and her style. They did have a lot of dairies and while I was there those are the books mostly purchased. The Willow book sold out and they had to order more.
Hello Carmencita
ReplyDeleteGood post! I agree parents are their children first teacher. Many of parents do not know the importance of parental involvement. My center serves 40 children yet only 5 parents attended our last parent/teacher conference meeting. Parents are not aware that their time and dedication are what help to keep our program a success. As an early childhood educator I have the privilege to start that threading process. My classroom is a great place to begin this parent commitment. I will give my students an intrinsic love of learning and allow parents to experience the success of their learning environment so that barriers are eliminated and both the parent and the child are successful.