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Goals/Objectives:
Instructional Procedure
Focusing Event/Icebreaker
Start session with a discussion question about ways you think you can help your child succeed in school OR See suggestions in Ice Breaker page
Teaching Procedure
Assess level of awareness concerning topic.
What do they know about helping their child to succeed in school? Is there something that parents can do to help their children be successful in school?
Facilitate discussion and participation.
Encourage sharing of opinions/experiences or questions/concerns.
Lesson Content
Introduction:
The process of helping your child to succeed in school begins when they are infants. You can sing, touch, play and speak softly to your infant, which all encourage brain and language development.
Language Development:
Toddlers: (1-3 years)
Can only speak 2-3 word sentences
Hard to understand
Can understand more than they can speak
What you can do:
Read
Play music or songs with words
Use simple words and simple commands when talking to this age
Show by example what you mean
Speak in Spanish and English
Sing (ABC's, nursery rhymes, hymns, Christmas songs, etc...)
Preschoolers: (4-5 years)
Can understand more than one language
Like to explain themselves and what they are thinking
Do not understand time
They focus on themselves
What you can do:
Play-allows child to invent and imitate
Explain time in relation to events
i.e. After lunch, dinner or naptime
"You can have a snack after your nap."
Use short sentences with simple/easy words that they can understand
i.e. "Throw the ball."
(Use correct grammar, even when your child does not.)
Encourage using musical or talking toys
Sing
Read
Speak in English and Spanish
School Age Children: (6+ years)
Begin reading on own
Speak longer sentences with more words, understands complex words and time
Can speak more than one language
Can describe objects (square, round, red, blue, flat, etc...)
Know what correct words to use in sentences
What you can do:
Help with homework-don't do it for them, but help them with it!!
-This allows parents to learn English at the same time
Read books-have children read books to you
Play word/spelling games
All ages:
1. Explain what you say:
i.e. "Please be quiet. I am on the phone and I cannot hear the other person I am
talking to."
2. Encourage your child to teach you English
this increases confidence in your child and in yourself
improves language skills and socialization skills
improves understanding
3. Praise children verbally and show affection
great job, way to go, we are really proud of you, etc...
4. Get involved at your child's school
get to know the teachers, attend PTA, support school sponsored programs
(DARE, Just Say No)
READING TO YOUR CHILD IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! IT HELPS YOUR CHILD DEVELOP LANGUAGE SKILLS AND LEARN HOW TO READ. IT WILL ALSO SHOW YOUR CHILD THAT YOU CARE ABOUT HIM OR HER AND IT WILL HELP YOU BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
*We realize that it is hard to help a child with their homework, especially if a person can't read English or can only read a little bit. Have a child teach you English little by little. It will not only help you to understand the language, but will give more confidence to your child and help him or her to succeed in school.
Listen to your child when they talk to you and make eye contact.
Speak words that are easy for the child to understand and easy for the child to say.
Choose to speak a small group of words connected to an activity.
For example, say "open" every time a door is opened
Have the child say "open" when they open a door
Have the child say what they want instead of gesturing for it
For example, if the child is pointing at a drink, have the child say "drink" before giving the child a drink
Verbal praise and affection
*Children like to imitate parents, so be a good role model for them and speak clearly and fluently. Don't use words around your child that you don't want them to say because they will learn them and will say these words and children don't always know the meanings of all of the words that they speak.
FORMATIVE CHECK/PARTICIPATION
Have each group member write on the chalkboard one way that they can help a child succeed in school that is appropriate for each age group.
CRITICAL POINTS
READ to your children as much as possible!! Set aside time every day to read.
Start reading to your child when the child is an infant.
Encourage a child to speak all the languages that he or she knows how to speak and have reading books in all the different languages that the child can speak.
CLOSURE
Have a short question and answer session. An idea for you...have a bookdrive for your group before this topic is presented. Allow at least two months to get books. At the end of the discussion, pass out 2-3 books to each person in the class to take back home with them.