Mom it Forward » Education

School: How to Find the Right School for Your Kids

Jill Greenlaw — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:00:45 +0000

We all do the best we can to make informed decisions about choosing our children’s school, and the first step is educating ourselves about the choices available. This was a huge learning curve for me as I grew up in England and had to learn a lot about American schools from baby day care through second grade, so far.

I guess the first discussion my husband and I had was pretty typical—public or private? If we chose public, what school district do we live in and how does it rate? We poured over school stats, visited a couple of schools, and crunched our budget, too. It was a lot of information to process.

When we decided to choose public we really did a lot of research. Not only did we talk to parents in our neighborhood, my husband also talked to the bus drivers of the school districts we were considering to get a different perspective.

We are doing everything we can to give our boys a strong educational foundation, but I also believe in allowing them to use that foundation to build their own lives. Of course, I want them all to succeed academically and head off to college and great careers, and I’m here to help them reach their goals. But it all starts with a great primary school education, and I’m so glad we chose the school we did. Now we’re dealing with the usual challenges—balancing work while helping with homework, school projects and other activities, such as baseball, and trying to support our local school district to the best of our ability.

In the eighteen months since I launched my start-up, I feel all of this has been easier than when I worked for a large corporation. As CEO, I implemented a “Comeback Mom” program with a flexible working program for the AboutOne team. This means all employees (including me) can work flexible hours so they can be a homeroom mom or attend school events, and doctor visits without feeling additional pressure to take time off work. We implemented technologies such as Skype and Zendesk mobile support to chat virtually and do customer support from the park if we want to!

While working in a start-up means much longer hours, of course, our home lives feel less stressful and we feel that we spend more time with our families because of these programs. It turns out that founding a start-up was the best choice for me when it comes to helping my children have the best school experience possible!

What do you do in your family to ensure your kids are getting a good education?

Joanne Lang is a mom of 4 boys, a wife, and the founder and CEO of AboutOne, an online family organizer that turns your phone into a remote control for your life, working with your existing calendar and contact tools so you can automatically organize, store, and share family memories and household paperwork. Through web and mobile apps, AboutOne guides you along the path to organization, rewarding you along the way for meeting your organizational goals.

Picture courtesy of flickr

Education Apps: Tips for Making Learning-on-the-go Fun

Jamie Moesser — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:00:51 +0000

Most experts will tell you that kids’ learning happens much more easily when it’s fun. Heck, most moms—the true experts—will testify that their kids enjoy learning more and retain knowledge better when the learning experience is fun. There are lots of ways you can do that at home. However, making learning happen, let alone making it fun, can be difficult on the go. Making a volcano in a minivan tends to be kind of messy.

But The iPad, LeapFrog, and similar devices are changing that. There are, in fact, many things you can do to make learning adventures possible as you do your errands, some involving technology, some using the good old-fashioned five senses. Tweeters at a recent MomItForward Girls’ Night Out (#gno) in March, sponsored by PBSKids, shared what apps and tricks work for them:

Top Six Tweet Tips for Making Learning-on-the-Go Fun

Be on the look out. First of all, as @PeekaBaby says, “It’s all about finding the teachable moments everywhere you are.”
Have your kids use their eyes. @TiffanysToyBox says she loves making her kids count the colors of cars, “It really is a great distraction on a long car ride!”
Be prepared. Sometimes this is easier said than done, but it can really pay off if you take care to download the right apps or pack the right gear. @C2CMom takes a Melissa & Doug license plate travel game on longer road trips so that kids can turn over the license plates as they see them. @D1_Dawn and @OurWild actually take playing cards along and have kids play simple number games like War. @D1_Dawn says her kids love that. Consider taking a small white board for each child with you, either for card games or for taping money to and attaching to the back of a car seat to help them identify coins and bills, like @SweetMatcha did.
Speaking of apps… As you probably know, many destinations such as museums have related apps that can either enrich your experience when you’re there, or keep learning fun when you’re not. The American Museum of Natural History in New York, for instance, has a Beyond Planet Earth Augmented Reality app that @C2CMom uses.
Try these apps or tools to make math learning fun: Google Sketchup, which is a free tool for creating and sharing 3D models, recommended by @LadyOzma, who likes to find ways to use math. She has her kids design houses and other CAD work. Math Bingo, which @ColoScienceMom says is “a fave with the little critters.” RocketMath, TuxMath, and Multiplication.com were other favorites.
For word-related fun, try these apps: Noodle Words, by family-friendly developer @yadongliu, recommended by @LearnWithFunApp.

Of course, PBSKids has lots of on-the-go educational apps as well. As some of our tweeters pointed out, technology works best when it enhances hands-on learning. And both technology and learning work best, for both kids and adults, when they’re fun.

Feature photo courtesy of Flickr.

School: How to Develop a Relationship with Your Child’s Teacher

amyestes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 17:00:35 +0000

One of the biggest concerns that every parent has when sending their child off to school is whether or not their child’s teacher will be a good fit. A child’s relationship with their teacher can absolutely make or break a school year, but a parent-teacher relationship is important as well. There are a few simple ways that you can ensure that this relationship runs smoothly.

How to Develop a Relationship with Your Child’s Teacher

Here are four tips to improve or develop an effective relationship with teachers:

Be a Team Player

First of all, remember that you and the teacher are on the same team, with the same goal: making sure your child succeeds. Sure, there are some difficult teachers out there, but for the most part, teachers want every child to succeed. Approach the teacher with that in mind. Ask how you can help, give them information that would be helpful in getting to know your child. Whenever possible, support efforts in the classroom, whether it be chaperoning or ensuring your child does their homework.

Have an Open Mind

Secondly, be reasonable and open-minded. While your child is amazing and wonderful, they make mistakes. Before assuming your child’s version of a situation is 100% accurate, call or email and inquire. Ask for clarification before judging. Speak to a teacher the way you’d like to be spoken to in a professional situation. Give teachers a reasonable amount of time to reply to emails and phone calls.

Be Professional When Raising Concerns

If there really is a serious situation that requires further intervention, suggest meeting, and request that the teacher’s observing administrator be present. In secondary schools, and occasionally larger elementary schools, the teacher may not be observed by the principal, and reviews are often handled by another person. If you’re looking for intervention by someone in administration, this is the person you should talk with. Be specific in concerns; instead of saying, “You don’t like my child!” try explaining the issues you’ve heard about or observed. Document emails and phone calls, and above all, be respectful and willing to listen.

Say Thank You

Finally, don’t forget to say thank you. Working with students all day long is a difficult task. Many teachers help students make significant gains in their abilities during a school year and it means a lot when parents recognize that. A thank you doesn’t mean a gift, but a heartfelt note or card or better yet, a letter to the principal or school board recognizing their outstanding work with your child.

Who were your children’s favorite teachers and why?

Amy Estes is a high school English teacher living in Sacramento, CA. When she’s not in the classroom, you can find her in a yoga class, cheering on the San Francisco Giants or blogging at Just A Titch.

Image courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons.

How to Encourage Girls to Enjoy Science and Math

melnorth — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:00:31 +0000

Throughout school, I had an unrealistic fear of math. So much so that I decided to change my major in college from a Business Major to a Health Science Degree so I wouldn’t have to take the higher level math classes. I don’t regret getting my degree in Health Science as I just completed my Masters in Nutrition. But I wonder if I had a supportive counselor or teachers encourage me, I might have been able to overcome my fear of math.

Culture & Stereotypes

There are many stereotypes about girls and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) careers. Recent studies show that the gender differences in math performance have more to do with culture than aptitude. For example, Mattel Toy Company showed some gender bias with a Barbie released in the 1990’s that exclaimed, “Math is hard.” And President Barack Obama’s former top economic advisor, Lawrence Summers, then president of Harvard University, stated at an event in 2005 that males are intrinsically smarter than females in science and engineering. I did mention this was said in 2005 and not 1950!

According to the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research on Gender in Science and Engineering (GSE) program, they have found that in elementary school girls have about the same positive attitude towards science that boys do. In fact, a study conducted with fourth graders showed that 66 percent of girls and 68 percent of boys stated that they liked science. But something happens along the way because by the time these children reach 8^th grade, boys are twice as likely to be interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) careers.

Mentor & Get Involved

So how do we as parents encourage our girls to like and even enjoy math and science? According to NSF Research, they state that parent and teacher support goes a long way in a girl’s interest in science, technology, engineering and math. Talking to girls about what careers are available in science and engineering and the importance of these careers in our society just might encourage more young girls to choose careers in these male-dominated fields. According to NSF, “One of the most effective interventions to help young women choose and sustain a STEM educational path and subsequent STEM career is mentoring.”

Some ways to encourage an appreciation for science are to do science projects together. There are many online resources that have age-appropriate projects you can do together, such as this one that provides free science fair projects and ideas for students: http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/Intro-Math.shtml.

My daughter’s favorite birthday present last year was a science project kit that teaches children how to make science projects out of things you find around the house. In fact, as I write this post I am looking at her rock candy project she made out of water, sugar, a pencil, some ribbon and a glass that is sitting next to my computer crystallizing. Here’s to nurturing the potential scientist or mathematician within. Who knows what she can accomplish!?

How are you getting your kids excited about Math and Science?

Picture courtesy of flickr

Reference: Girls Get Math: It’s Culture That’s Skewed by Jeanna Bryner June 2009. Posted in www.livescience.com

Melissa Northway, M.S. Human Nutrition writes storybook apps and books. Her first storybook app, Penelope the Purple Pirate, is a about a feisty redhead who likes to have adventures with her friends. She is currently working on a Penelope educational game in which Penelope declares that, “Math is fun!” You can reach her at: mcube@sbcglobal.net, @melissanorthway and www.melissanorthway.com. And make sure to stop by Penelope’s Facebook Page as she likes to hand out treasure! Melissa is happy to report that she is no longer afraid of math!

How to Make Our Relationships Better With Teens

Susan Krueger — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 23:00:40 +0000

I am the mother of two fabulous teenagers. Yes… they are fabulous! I love the energy they have and the people they are becoming. I even like the struggles that often present themselves. I feel like I learn from them every day.

I am also trying to teach them valuable lessons they can apply the rest of their lives. My son has fallen into friendships and conflict resolutions pretty naturally. That is not to say that he doesn’t have things to work on. He is definitely a work in progress.

My daughter is a new teen and has it a bit harder. There are 13-year-old friend adjustments taking place, plus the natural changes in her body that make things quite confusing. The mix of the two can make life a bit emotional. She is a highly motivated, passionate girl, so I am always looking for ways to encourage her.

Books to Help You Parent Your Teenagers

Last year I found two fantastic books that have helped us along the way. The first one’s for me. It is called The Five Love Languages. I learned so much about my husband, kids and everyone else in my life with this book. I also learned about myself and what I need in the way of relationships and love. This is a must read for newlyweds and anyone struggling to understand someone important in their life. Gary Chapman breaks down 5 identifiable ways that we give and like to receive love. Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. When I am frustrated with my kids’ decisions, I take a deep breath and stand back for a moment and think of their love language. What are they really trying to say with their actions? This has stopped me from making quick judgements and I react in a different way than I normally would. There is also a version for teenagers.

The second book is for teen girls who are struggling with relationships. It is an updated sequel to a best seller by Dale Carnegie written by his daughter Donna. It is called How to Win Friends and Influence People for Teen Girls. It is written in easy to understand language with great examples and things to try. I LOVE this book! It helps girls (or anyone for that matter) focus on others and the signals that often are interpreted incorrectly. It also sheds light on how to get out of your own head, begin to understand others and get what you need out of much needed relationships. Here are some of the chapter headings- The Big Secret of Dealing with People, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Making Friends, Listen Up, and Admit Your Mistakes. This is a must read for any girl about to enter Junior High, and could be something that she refers to over and over again in her quest to maintain strong relationships.

I think the most important thing our teens should feel is value. A long time ago when my kids were little I read somewhere that “whatever you say about your kids will be.” If you are always saying, “He is so aggravating! I just don’t get him!” that is exactly what you will get. Kids know how we feel about them. It is hard not to think negatively about unwanted behaviors but we can also hope for the best and choose to see the good first. If our children feel loved and accepted, they will take our counsel so much better. They will also make better decisions and want to please us more. We have to stay positive in our approach to parenting and we will gain greater relationships with these wonderful people we are raising. We really can enjoy the teenage years. It just takes a lot of love and hard work! But, oh… is it worth it! Hang in there!

What are some resources that have helped you deal with your teenagers?

Susan lives in Boise, Idaho, and is a self-taught artist and a jack of many artsy trades. She is married to professional artist and has two great teenagers. She has her hand in a lot of pots. She in very involved in her community and church. She loves friends, family, movies, eating out, laughing, and vacationing to warm destinations! She just started her own blog! Visit susansspinningplates.wordpress.com.

PBS KIDS: Wednesday #gno Twitter Party on Educational Games on the Go

Jen Tilley — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:28:37 +0000

Schedules are busy and days are full of balancing work with family activities. Sometimes it’s difficult for families to take a breather from their hectic schedules. If your family is the on-the-go type, how do you fit learning into your busy schedules?

Knowing that families and schedules can get a bit overloaded, PBS KIDS is all about helping you making anytime learning time for your kids. With so many apps and games available for download, you can help increase learning experiences anytime and anywhere.

PBS KIDS added two new apps to their collection of educational mobile content, designed to help kids ages 3 to 5 build critical math skills. The apps, All Aboard the Dinosaur Train! for iPad and Dinosaur Train Camera Catch! for iPhone, recently launched on the App Store. They are based on the popular DINOSAUR TRAIN series produced by The Jim Henson Company,

These apps are part of a suite of DINOSAUR TRAIN games available on the PBS KIDS Lab website (PBSKIDS.org/lab). Combined with online and interactive whiteboard games, these new apps help build a learning experience for kids that take place across multiple platforms, all with the goal of accelerating learning.

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) are providing these two new apps at no cost to Head Start centers, local PBS stations, and other organizations in underserved communities nationwide. The apps will be downloaded onto devices that families have access to in local Head Start centers and other community organizations.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Wednesday, March 14 and join us as we chat about educational games on the go!

Party Topic

Join PBS KIDS and our panel of experts as we discuss educational games on the go. The party will be held on Wednesday, March 14 from 9-10 ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT). Click here to see details about the giveaway and enter for a chance to win.

Party Details

What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
When: Wednesday, March 14 from 9-10 p.m. EST (8 CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #PBSKIDS)
Topic: Educational Games on the Go
Who: Brand Panelist: @PBSKIDS @dinosaurtrain @NatlHeadStart, Community Panelists: @peekababy @ColoScienceMom @CherylBudge @scrappinmichele @c2cmom, Moderators: @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee @MomItForward
Party Favors: Click here to enter the giveaway.

RT @MomItForward Join the @PBSKIDS #gno Twitter party 3/14 (9-10 ET) on educational games http://bit.ly/xOGBh1 #PBSKIDS PLS RT

Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.

PBS KIDS Giveaway: Win a Dinosaur Train Prize Pack (10 Winners)

Jen Tilley — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:47:09 +0000

All Aboard the Dinosaur Train! for iPad and Dinosaur Train Camera Catch! for iPhone are now on the App Store. Based on the popular DINOSAUR TRAIN series produced by The Jim Henson Company, the apps are designed to help kids ages 3 to 5 build critical math skills.

Mark your calendar on Wednesday, March 15 from 9-10 p.m. ET and join us as we chat about educational games on the go with PBS KIDS!

In an effort to make apps and educational games available to all children, in a first-of-its-kind collaboration, PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) are providing free educational apps to Head Start centers, local PBS stations, and other organizations in underserved communities nationwide.

Through this program, PBS, CPB and Head Start are working to help bridge this “app gap” and increase access to educational mobile content for children from low-income families at community organizations that serve them and are equipped with mobile and tablet devices.

The Prizes

This week’s giveaway is all about educational games on the go. 10 lucky winners will receive a DVD, PBS KIDS totebag, DT collectible figurine, and assorted stickers (ARV: $25.00).

Entry Requirements

For a chance to enter and win, please complete the following requirements and leave a separate comment for each on this post, including links to your original tweets.

Follow @PBSKIDS on Twitter.
Like the PBS KIDS Facebook page.
Answer the following question in the comment section below: What educational game do you love to play?
Tweet the following:

RT @MomItForward Join the @PBSKIDS #gno Twitter party 3/14 (9-10 ET) on educational games http://bit.ly/xOGBh1 #PBSKIDS PLS RT

RT @MomItForward GIVEAWAY! Enter 4 chance 2 win a @PBSKIDS Dinosaur Train Prize Pack (10 Winners) http://bit.ly/zY3Aih #gno #PBSKIDS PLS RT

Optional Entries

The following are extra entries that are completely optional and will earn you one extra entry for each completed item. Leave a separate comment on this post for each completed optional entry.

Follow @momitforward on Twitter.
Like Mom It Forward on Facebook: http://facebook.com/momitforward.

Terms and Conditions

Winners will be selected randomly through http://random.org. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday, March 15. See all terms and conditions here. This giveaway is available to U.S. residents only.

PBS KIDS: Thursday #gno Twitter Party on Exploration

Jen Tilley — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:01:50 +0000

What’s a black and white animal that wears a red and white striped hat? That’s easy…it’s The Cat and the Hat! This exuberant and lively cat has played a part in so many lives. Kids loves his playful nature and all of the fun ways he explores the world.

On March 2, PBS KIDS will celebrate the 108th birthday of Dr. Seuss on-air, online, and on mobile. PBS stations nationwide will feature THE CAT-IN-THE-HAT-A-THON, a two-hour marathon of THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! (check local listings). Kids will also be able to engage with the Cat and friends through games and video content online and on mobile, and parents will be able to enjoy a new Birthday Party Builder Tool on the PBS KIDS Shop website.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Thursday, March 1 and join us as we chat more about exploration!

Party Topic

Join PBS KIDS and our panel of experts as we discuss exploration. The party will be held on Thursday, March 1 from 9-10 ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT). Click here to see details about the giveaway and enter for a chance to win.

Party Details

What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
When: Thursday, March 1 from 9-10 p.m. EST (8 CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #CatInTheHat)
Topic: Exploration
Who: Brand Panelist: @PBSKIDS @KateKlimo @randomhousekids @PBSParents, Community Panelists: @thechattymomma @fruglxperiments @pluslily @fieldtripmom @thedomesticbuzz @mimibakermn, Moderators: @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee @MomItForward
Party Favors: Click here to enter the giveaway.

RT @MomItForward Join the @PBSKIDS #gno Twitter party 3/1 (9-10 ET) on exploration http://bit.ly/zo0pGh #CatInTheHat PLS RT

Storytelling: 3 Steps to Help Kids Appreciate Classical Music

Jyl Johnson Pattee — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:00:12 +0000

About five years ago, when my boys were ages three and five, we made a conscious decision to introduce them to classical music. We had always played it in the background or at night as they were going to bed, but we hadn’t ever formally taught them about it.

I learned right from the beginning that taking a more direct approach didn’t work. They didn’t take at all to me sharing the cold hard facts with them by saying, “That is a flute. Mozart wrote this.” So, I changed my approach.

3 Steps to Helping Kids Appreciate Classical Music

Here are some things you can do to teach your kids to appreciate classical music:

1.) Create a CD.

To begin, I bought my favorite 15 songs and downloaded them from iTunes to a CD so I could play them in our CD player downstairs so we could cuddle on the couch while we listened. I made sure to include songs from diverse composers, in a variety of genres, and that showcased many different instruments.

2.) Play the music often.

We would start the day off playing the CD. Or, when the kids started fighting, we would click play and we could tell an immediate change in our environment.

3.) Create an emotional experience.

The thing that worked the best for us was helping the kids have an emotional experience with the music. I would sit with them on my lap and make up stories to the songs. I would tell and retell those stories every time we heard the songs. I noticed that after a while, instead of calling the songs by their names, they started calling them, the “horse song” or the “fairy song.” To this day, when we hear those songs playing, my kids can tell me the stories we shared.

My goal at that time in their lives wasn’t to educate them, but rather to help them appreciate the music. They are still learning composers and genres and their music education has a ways to go, but they love classical music.

What tips do you have for helping kids to learn to appreciate classical music? What are the benefits of them having this appreciation?

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Finances: The Importance of Understanding Money Management

Lori — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:00:06 +0000

When we think about relationships, we often think of our relationships with other people. But, anything related to you, whether it be food, money, or your health, that is a relationship. This week is meant to help you consider your personal relationship with money and how it relates to all other relationships in your life.

First of all, I must admit that I have never had a healthy relationship with money. It has always frightened me to the point that I refuse to deal with it. Even as a teenager, when getting my first paycheck and bank account, I would have my boyfriends balance my checkbook.

Since I never had a day-to-day knowledge of what I had, I lived in fear. I could never go shopping and enjoy it for fear of my check possibly bouncing. In those days, there were no debit cards and as long as you had a check and your I.D., you could walk out with anything in the store. It would be days or weeks later before you received the bounced check with the large red letters that read, “Insufficient Funds.” The irony of it all was that I worked at a bank as a teller.

Many people like to blame their parents for their own dysfunctional relationships, especially with money. To a certain extent, they are the ones that you model your relationship with money after. In my case, my parents never wanted me to “worry” about money. Their opinion was, “She’ll have to worry about it one day so let’s give her a childhood in which she doesn’t have to ‘worry’ about it.” The problem with that was in their desire to keep me from having to worry about money, they never taught me how to “think” about money.

In my family, Dad always handled the finances and Mother always worried about them. When you don’t know what is going on with your money, you will live in a state of worry. As a child, I never received an allowance, but was told I could have anything I wanted within reason which left me not knowing what it feels like to earn money or to save money for something special. I remember so clearly going to the check-out counter at a store and mom realizing we didn’t have the money to get something. I would always say, “Just write a check,” never realizing that without money in the bank, that check was just a piece of paper.

Needless to say, my relationship with money is still in the “Needs Improvement” stage. While I am learning, I am teaching my daughter the concept that work = money + knowledge = peace of mind. It is never too late to look in your financial mirror. It’s just like starting a diet. No one wants to get on the scale, but how will you ever know how far you’ve come if you don’t have that initial weigh in. The longer you wait to look at your finances, the worse things will be down the road. I know it is scary.

Just like starting a diet means cutting down or cutting out certain foods, having a healthy relationship with money will require cutting certain things out of your budget. The good news is that getting your financial house in order and building a healthy relationship with your money feels as good as putting on your skinny jeans. Once you are able to face your fears with money and get it under control, you will be able to buy a new pair (maybe even 2 or 3). However, the best feeling will come from teaching your children to have a healthy relationship with their money and see them financially succeed in adulthood because as comedian Mark Lowry says, “They’ll decide what nursing home you‘ll go to one day.”

How do you teach your children about money management?

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Alicia Ivey has been a part of a traveling singing and speaking group for over 25 years. She has one daughter and has been married for over 15 years. Alicia enjoys participating in church activities, spending time with her family and freelance writing for mybabyclothes.com. Your little one will be the cutest kid at the playground this Spring in their new baby clothes with a matching baby headband or a stylish baby hat.