August 19th, 2010 by El Ed Mom

Now that summer is ending, many of us are thinking about the upcoming school year and how to create an atmosphere of success for our children. Regardless of age, a blank notebook, a fresh backpack, new pencils, pens, markers, and/or crayons should be joyful and yet, for many children, it elicits feelings of insecurity and fear of failure.  It is up to us, as parents and educators, to make certain that our kids are emotionally, socially, cognitively, and physically ready to meet new challenges.  Children need guidance, time, and reminders in order to successfully transition from the more carefree days of summer to the more rigorous routines of the school year. Proper manners should be reinforced, kindness acknowledged, reading, listening, and practicing skills encouraged and healthy eating and sleeping patterns enforced. Since children mimic our attitudes and behaviors, it is critical to speak in positive ways about the school year, teachers, school, and curriculum.  It is also important to set realistic expectations so that your child/children can tackle their new experiences and challenges with self confidence and with the knowledge that you will be both their cheerleader and confidant. Please note that I am not encouraging parents to make excuses for or to complete assignments for children, but rather, am advocating an environment of open dialogue, where discussions focus on both positive and negative emotions, behaviors, and experiences. 
Creating a solid foundation is critical to buildings constructed from brick and mortar as well as those more gentle structures made up of feelings, ideas, and knowledge.  Let’s work together towards building a foundation that supports a love for learning, a respect for self and others, and a dedication to excellence, diligence, and empathy.

I wish everyone a successful and lovely school year!!

Magical Educating!

Donna Mavrides
Magical Moments
www.magicalms.com

August 5th, 2010 by El Ed Mom

Rebuild a charity resale shop that supports abused women and children. 

WINGS Program, Inc.

Founded in 1985, the WINGS Program (Women in Need Growing Stronger) provides shelter and support for women and children who are escaping homelessness or domestic violence. WINGS has 24 transitional homes and an emergency domestic violence shelter in suburban Chicago.

Right now, Wings is trying to win the Pepsi Grant for $250,000 which would really help rebuild the resale store.  Could you please take a few minutes of your time to visit the link below and vote for Wings to receive the funds?  Also, please feel free to share this wonderful cause.  Thank you sooo much!!!

Vote to give this idea 250K: Rebuild a charity resale shop that supports abused women and children. http://pep.si/cL7KZ2

Together, we can make this happen!!!

July 1st, 2010 by El Ed Mom

Big Announcement: Join Me in Supporting Goodwill’s Donate Movement!

I am so excited and pleased to announce that The Clutter Diet® is partnering with Goodwill Industries International to launch the Donate Movement! Visit donate.goodwill.org to see all of the details. I am in Tacoma today serving as their national spokesperson and ambassador of the movement, speaking at the launch event and doing a radio media tour, and soon you’ll see our Public Service Announcement commercials airing all over the country.

You can get a sneak peek now on YouTube! We have three PSAs, one featuring me and a bunch of stuff popping into my outstretched hands… and the other two explaining more about the choices we make about our stuff and the impact they have.

“Just as there are things you recycle, there are things you donate” (the one I’m in)

“Donations = Chances” showing the impact your donations have

“Think Twice: Donate for Your Community and the Environment” showing the choices we make every day that make a difference

Many people get organized and donate their household items without ever considering the impact those donations are having on their neighborhoods and the world. We want to create a culture of Conscious Donation, and have people consider where they are making their donations of belongings as carefully as they would consider where they are making a financial donation.

Did you know that, according to a survey we just commissioned, we found that for every one item of clothing consumers donate, they have at least 30 more that are ready to be donated? Get organized, get that stagnant stuff out of your house, and use it to put people to work and build strong families and communities! Visit donate.goodwill.org to see the impact of your donations on people and the planet. And if you need help getting organized, you know our expert team can help anybody, affordably, from anywhere… Read more about our Clutter Diet®  program that gives you the tools and support you need at less than the cost of a pizza.

Oh, and PS: I purchased the fabulous red shirt I am wearing in the commercial at my local Goodwill store on Lake Austin Boulevard! 

Look for the Donate icon on Levi’s care tags (and other partners’ products coming soon)! And watch for tweets with the #Donate hashtag!

Thanks so much from Lorie from The Clutter Diet!

November 2nd, 2009 by El Ed Mom

1. Visual Learners learn through seeing. These learners like to visualize things by thinking in pictures and learn best-from maps, charts and diagrams; they enjoy art and drawing. Visual learners are often fascinated with machines and inventions. They like mazes and puzzles.

What you can do: Use board and memory games to teach, offer lots of picture books. When reading aloud to your child give them coloured pencils so they can draw while listening.

Click Here to read more…

October 1st, 2009 by El Ed Mom

Children need to play. This observation might seem obvious, but lately, it is my rallying cry. It has to be. There is so much discussion among parents and educators about the relative benefits of academic versus developmentally appropriate preschools, and as testing rules the day, proponents of the academic model seem to be gaining ground.

But I am a parent, and I have been a preschool teacher for more than twenty years, and my experience and training tell me one thing loud and clear.

Children need to play.

They need to build with blocks, role-play with dolls and cooking tools, assemble tracks for trains, dabble in paint, jump up and down, ride tricycles, smush playdough, dig in sand, splash in water. They need to negotiate with ladders, slides, and each other. Take turns. Dress up. Cook.

Click Here to read more…

September 17th, 2009 by El Ed Mom

If your child is having problems in school, you need a quick and easy way to stay in contact with his teacher on a daily basis. Teachers are just too busy to call or write you a personal note every time your child misbehaves or has difficulty with an assignment.

The Assignment Checksheet is a great tool for parents and teachers. It is simple to implement and allows you to address problems immediately. It is also a motivational tool for your child because she quickly learns that her teacher and her parents know just exactly what she is doing every day.

Click Here to read more…

September 16th, 2009 by El Ed Mom

Introduction

This report summarizes the most dependable evidence on the effect of parental involvement intervention programs for improving the academic performance of elementary school-age children. The authors show that parent involvement has a positive and significant effect on children’s overall academic performance.¹

Research Background

Parent involvement programs have been assumed to be important contributors to elementary school children’s educational success. These programs include direct parent involvement outside school hours, parent volunteer programs in the classroom, parent attendance, and participation in nonacademic activities (e.g., PTO, fund raising, etc.). For many years, researchers, educators, parent groups, and policymakers have debated whether or not parent involvement has a beneficial effect on the academic achievement of children.

Research Objective

The purpose of this review was to summarize the most dependable evidence on the effect of parental involvement for improving the academic performance of elementary school-age children in grades K–6. The most dependable evidence was defined as studies that include at least two groups and use random assignment to form a fair comparison between groups.

Click Here to read more…

August 25th, 2009 by El Ed Mom

• Set up an environment where it is easy to have fun:  the pool, the beach, the playground, or a big backyard or playroom full of fun things to do.
• Structure it for parents and kids to both have fun.  Depending on the size, pitch in for extra help to be there to keep an eye on the kids and allow the parents to socialize with the playgroup parents, to have a break, too.
• Create a network for the parents and the kids.  Invite families that could become life long friends or will be in your school district to move from close toddler network to the school PTA/PTO.
• Have playgroup activities planned:  field trip to the children’s museum, zoo, apple orchard or pumpkin farm; holiday theme parties to celebrate them all:  Easter egg hunt, cookie exchange at Christmas, trick and treat parade at Halloween, and a birthday party with name exchange once a year to celebrate everyone’s birthday!
• Know the personalities and group dynamics to keep conflict to a minimum among both parents and kids.  Have rules:  we must respect each other, be polite, and treat others as we want to be treated.  And if you can’t do that and are having a bad day, it’s time to leave early.
• Have a set time:  such as 9-11 a.m. on a certain day of the week or once a month or every two weeks.  Short intervals are always best.    
• Alternate locations and have each parent bring something to pass: muffins, juice, fruit, veggies, etc.
• Invite people from your community to join but keep it to a manageable number.  If you don’t know people and are new to the area.  Set a time and date and invite people your children meet at the local playground or church.  Have a conversation with the parent and watch how the kids play to determine if you want to invite them to your house to start your own circle of friends for yourself and child. 

Remember if you want your child to be successful in school, it helps to build that social network for them starting when they are toddlers!

Smiles – Stacey

Stacey Kannenberg, Fredonia, WI
“Get Ready To Learn Mom”

July 31st, 2009 by El Ed Mom

Lately we are able to get hold of computers in practically every home and business. Kids these days are operating computers at an earlier time than ever before. Despite the fact that children frequently start operating the computer at home it is a talent they will possibly certainly require when they get to school. The good news is that there is oodles of magnificent educational software for kids being produced.

Playing games on the computer can teach children a large number of important skills. It is essential that parents pick the right education software for their children. You will possibly need to learn how and what the software teaches. Educators and others who work with children usually create the finest educational software.

Click Here for more info…

July 30th, 2009 by El Ed Mom

Christina Lemmey is a parent of two who thinks elementary school isn’t all that elementary–especially for parents. In fact she believes there’s much more to know beyond just what is being taught to your child in class. Understanding how your child learns in this environment, interacts with new peers, deals with social influences and fits within the whole education system is also important and can be overwhelming even for the most prepared and dedicated parent. That’s why Christina created a resource for parents aptly called “Wonder Years Radio”

Click Here for more information…