GuMoEs

For parents who want more control over their children’s education, homeschooling may be an option worth looking into. Studies have shown that homeschooled children actually do better on achievement tests than their public school counterparts. It is not for everyone, however, and there are a lot of things to think about. Read these tips about homeschooling.

If you are homeschooling your child, always include reading in your daily curriculum. Depending on the age of the child, this should include reading aloud and allowing him or her a quiet time to read alone. With a younger child, begin with the alphabet, sight words and phonics, progressing to simple books. Older children will enjoy a variety of mediums, including newspapers and textbooks.

Remember that your kids need breaks when homeschooling. Studying for hours on end will only make them get bored with learning. Allow them to run in the yard or just … Read the rest

Reading has always been a personal passion of mine for numerous reasons, and I wanted to ensure that my children loved it too. When my son was an infant and toddler, I had the opportunity to participate in a mommy group that met weekly. This group was really eye opening for me, not just as a parent, but also as a woman wearing one more hat!

Our group would have guest speakers, workshops, play dates, mom’s night out and pretty much everything in between. There were four of us on the board and it was a really productive year for the Mocha Moms Philadelphia Chapter.

There was a great diversity of backgrounds, experience and of course just information. Most of the mom’s were professionals who put their careers on hold to be home with their children during those crucial early years. If you are not familiar with the learning phase, … Read the rest

Most teachers are wonderful individuals. Giving and unselfish, they care for our children almost every day, and input things of value into their lives. We should appreciate the good teachers in our children’s lives and not take them for granted.

Occasionally, though, we may encounter a good teacher having a bad moment, or have the misfortune of dealing with a teacher who seems to be set on making our child’s life miserable. What do you do when a problem of this nature arises with one of your child’s teachers? Should you call the principal, and how do you know when the appropriate time for that is?

Determine the Severity of the Situation

If there is an incident that is not putting your child in danger, it is generally a wise idea to talk to the teacher first. Before bringing in anyone else, give them a chance to explain. Simply inform … Read the rest