Hands on Mom is Going Hands Free

Heather Gillum, PhD, CCC-SLP

One of my favorite words is "convergence"--the occurrence of two or more things coming together.

Like when the weather is perfect on a Saturday afternoon.

Or when my daughter comes home with a "homework pass" on an afternoon when we were over-scheduled.

And especially when I'm trying to find the answer to a question and keep finding the same answer again and again. That's so much better than getting conflicting answers.

A good friend shared the link to http://www.handsfreemama.com/ about a month ago, and shamefully I didn't open it for a week or so. Was she telling a different story? Arguing the point?

But a treat awaited me there when I finally clicked the link.  Rachel Macy Stafford seeks the blissful moments fully engaged with her children. A plea to PUT DOWN THE PHONE and STEP AWAY FROM THE SCREEN to sit on the floor and PLAY!  Love this blog, and I know you will too.

This week featured a summer contract made with her children.  A signed manifesto to truly live life together, with more time in the grass than at the computer.  Yes, do what must be done, but enlist the help of the kids to free up more unscheduled time.

And so, a challenge.  To go Hands Free to be more Hands On.  Sweet convergence.

School is almost out! A last minute checklist...

Heather Gillum, PhD, CCC-SLP

The chalkboard over my coffee maker is sporting a number "7"--as in only SEVEN DAYS left of school for my daughter.  Can I get an "Amen"?

In honor of these seven (SEVEN!!!) days left, I offer a checklist of seven things to remember to do before school wraps up for summer.

1. Have you had a wrap-up conference with your teacher?  If not, even a quick email asking if she has any recommendations for things to brush up on over the summer could be very helpful.

2.  Have you expressed your preferences for next year? Most schools don't let parents choose their teachers, but if you have strong feelings about the personality type or classroom characteristics that work for your child (perhaps because those in place this year were not an ideal fit), now is that time to make your wishes known.  Likewise, if there is a student whose presence in your child's class is likley to cause undue stress and negativity, let your principal know now, before it is too late.

3.  Do you have a reading plan for summer?  Use it or lose it--no kidding.  Ask your teacher what types/series of books would be the best level for your child to read over the summer.  Go ahead and start paying attention to reading programs offered by your local library, or set up your own program at home with goals and rewards along the way.

4.  Do you know your child's friends? Don't let peer relationships suffer over the summer.  Find out who your child's friends are, and get their contact info if you don't already have it.  It is especially helpful to have playdates toward the end of the summer to reinvigorate friendships before the start of school.

5.  Are you ready to try something new?  Summer is a great time to work on a new skill because there's no homework to tie your student down in the evenings.  Art, music, gymnastics, and other extra-curriculars are sometimes more enjoyable (for you and your child) when they aren't just another stop on the school-night list of obligations. 

6.  Have you planned some un-planned time? Children love to manage their own time.  No matter how active your summer looks, try to set aside time for kids to just be kids--catching lightning bugs, riding bikes in the neighborhood, and (gasp) playing with all those toys piled up in your house.

7. Have you thanked everyone who made this year special for your child?  At the end of a long year, a quick note is deeply appreciated by teachers and support staff.

On that note, thank YOU for sharing and keeping our blog alive this year.  And keep spreading the word, especially to friends with rising kindergarteners.  Our daily readiness tips will start June 4--be sure to follow us here or on Facebook or Twitter for a quick tidbit every day.

Who needs Kindergarten Readiness Testing? An opinion...

Heather Gillum, PhD, CCC-SLP

Have you ever wondered why physicians make screening test recommendations such as mammograms after age 40 and colonoscopies after age 50?

Individuals younger than the recommended age who present with symptoms of a disease (or are at heightened risk) should receive the appropriate screening tests, but younger individuals without symptoms who have such tests unnecessarily are more likely to have a “false positive.” 

A false positive happens when a person fails a screening (an initial test), leading to a more invasive procedure (such as a biopsy), but turns out not to have the disease.  False positives lead to both the medical risk and the financial cost of unnecessary procedures.

False positives are a statistical truth; the more people you screen for something, the more times you are going to be wrong.  And false positives are more likely for people who volunteer for a screening (without symptoms) than for people who have a symptom and pursue a screening as part of the diagnostic process.

Common sense, right?

So what about “Kindergarten Readiness Testing”? 

This service is heavily advertised this time of year.  Not to be confused with admissions testing for private kindergartens, or placement testing conducted in public schools, this testing is offered by tutoring centers to determine if children are ready for kindergarten and, if not, what tutoring services they can provide to meet the needs.

My doctorate is in both child language and the psychometrics (statistics and theory) of assessment practices.  I have an appreciation for assessment as part of a problem-solving process, a respect for valid and reliable tests, and an understanding of what testing can, and cannot, reveal about a person and their strengths and weaknesses.

But as a Tennessean, I also appreciate common sense axioms such as “If you go looking for a problem you’ll find it” and the wise, if not eloquent, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” 

So my opinion on this topic is based on knowledge of testing and a dose of common sense.

If you or your child’s preschool teacher has specific concerns, and you don’t feel confident addressing these needs at home on your own, such an assessment may be helpful.  

If you are truly on the fence regarding whether or not to send your child to kindergarten and want an outside opinion, such an assessment may be helpful. 

As with all assessment services, do your homework and get a referral from a trusted friend or teacher so that your time and money are well spent. 

Do you think your child is pretty much ready, see a whole summer ahead of you, and think that you can brush up on the weaknesses between now and opening day?  Then this may be something you can handle on your own if you are up for it.  Know that if you pursue such an assessment, your child is at a higher risk for a false positive.

All summer long we will be offering a countdown to kindergarten and daily tips to get your aspiring kindergartener ready for the first day.  Be sure to sign up to follow us on the blog or follow us on Twitter @ahandsonmom or our Facebook Page “Hands on Mom” for the daily tips!

oh Publix, you get me every time

Last Saturday night, the pizza was in the oven, the sitter had arrived, the concert tickets had been printed, and I ducked into the bathroom for one more dab of lipstick before heading out for a date with my husband. 

I heard the TV on in the bedroom and went to turn it off, and this commercial was on.  At first I got all "Hands on Mom blogger" and thought to myself "Hey, they are cooking together like we always talk about on the blog."

And then tears. Oh, sweet tears.

The really do like us, us mommies. And not a moment is wasted on them.

Wishing you and your family a beautiful Mother's Day!

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Heather Gillum, PhD, CCC-SLP

My daughter only has 11 more full days of school left--and that's me counting, not her!  As much as we are all ready to hang up the backpack for the summer, I am trying to relish these last few days of knowing that she is in good hands all day while I go about my daily rounds. 

There are many teacher gift opportunities throughout the year, but I tend to prefer to save the best for last.  If you can eat it or smell it it might not be to your teacher's taste.  And I've never heard a teacher wish for more items with apples on them. Here are some great teacher gift ideas that my friends and I have pulled together over the years.

Summer Fun: beach towel, insulated water bottle, pool tote

Summer Reading:  gift certificate to a local independent bookstore, subscriptions to magazines or newspapers, Amazon.com gift card

Monogrammables: note cards, post-its, clipboards, paper napkins and handtowels, shatterproof plastic cups such as Tervis tumblers

Donations:  books for your school library, gifts to local education-related nonprofits (library, art museum, science museum, historic sites), gifts to a cause special to your teacher

Gift cards: restaurants, nail salons, housewares shops, boutiques, specialty markets, office supply stores, gardening stores, car wash

Is she a mom?  Think gift certificates for summer fun with the family:  movie tickets, park passes, museum passes

Plants:  potted orchids, geraniums, herbs, ferns

No matter what you choose, the note that goes with it will likely be more appreciated.  And a handmade note from your child is all the better.  While you're at it, consider remembering room moms, school support staff, and enrichment teachers with notes of thanks, too.  They have all helped shape your child's school experience this year.

Importance of Family Involvement

"Parents and families are the first and most important teachers. If families teach a love of learning, it can make all the difference in the world to our children."-Richard W. Riley

I absolutely love this quote! It sums up what Heather and I are encouraging our parents to do....to get actively involved in their children's learning as it helps them become more successful and life-long learners. It is especially important to get involved starting at Pre-K and up through adolescent years.

As we have mentioned in this week's posts, there are many opportunities everywhere for learning and teaching. All you have to do is look around your house, on your walks through the neighborhood, or a grocery store trip. Even on the way or coming back from the grocery store, you can take advantage of some learning time.

The point is to not only be involved in your child's learning, but to also provide them with some real-life exeperiences that can enhance their learning. So we hope that you will continue to be a part of your child's learning. Remember you are your child's first teacher.

Games and Math

A child playing with building blocks, is learning math. They are learning about planning, problem-solving, and classifying objects by size and shape.

A child playing hopscotch is learning about numbers all the while getting physical activity.

A child playing cards, chess or a board game like Chutes and Ladders is learning strategy, number recognition, matching, comparing numbers, sorting as well as counting when dealing the cards or moving their game piece from one spot to another.

As you can see traditional games such as Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, War, and Connect Four, give children "numerous" possibilties to develop and practice their math skills. Games are fun for children so why not have fun while learning math?

Below I have listed more "games" you can play with your children with materials you can find around your house.

Family Involvement Math Games/Activities:

• Newspaper Search-search through a newspaper for numbers in the news. Look for numbers less than 10, a number more than 50, a graph, shapes, weather symbols, days of the week, date and year.  You can get more creative with this depending on your child's level.
• Guess My Rule-sort items a certain way. You could do this when you are unloading your groceries or when organizing toys. Have your child guess your rule for sorting the items. Then, once your child guesses your rule, let them sort the items and you try to guess their rule.
• Everyday Estimation-estimating is an important math skill to develop, especially for son to be Kindergarteners, and you can do this at home or on the go. At home, fill a  clear jar with certain items (make them different items every week, varying in size and shape) and ask your child to guess how many items are in there. If your child is learning about letters, it could be fun to put items in the jar that start with whatever letter they are learning. You could also use the jar to ask your child, how many scoops it would take to fill it with rice or beans. While driving from school, you could ask your child to guess how long it might take to get home. While crossing the street, ask your child to guess how many steps it might take to get across. Estimating opportunities are everywhere!
• Money, money, money!  This activity is great for 5 and 6 year olds. All you need is 10 of each coin (penny, nickel, dime) 6 quarters and a die to roll.  The object of the game is to be the first player to earn a set amount (10 or 20 cents is a good amount). The first player rolls the die and gets the number of pennies shown on the die. Players take turns rolling the die to collect additional coins. As each player accumulates 5 pennies or more, the 5 pennies are traded for a nickel. The first player to reach the set amount wins. For your younger children, you could introduce a different coin every week. Talk about its characteristics, such as color and shape and then the value of the coin.

Parents, we hope you will keep practicing (or playing) with your children and enjoy being a part of their learning experience.