Learn And Grow: December 2007

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Card Smarts

Have your children sharpen their math skills even more.

What you'll need

Pack of cards

Paper

Pencil

What to do

1. How many numbers can we make? Give each player a piece of paper and a pencil. Using the cards from 1 (ace)-9, deal 4 cards out with the numbers showing. Using all four cards and a choice of any combination of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, have each player see how many different answers a person can get in 5 minutes. Players get one point for each answer. For example, suppose the cards drawn are 4, 8, 9, and 2.
2. What numbers can be made?

4 + 9 + 8 + 2 = 23

4 + 9 - (8 + 2) = 3

(8 - 4) x (9 - 2) = 28

(9 - 8) x (4 - 2) = 2

2. Make the most of it. This game is played with cards from 1 (ace) to 9. Each player alternates drawing one card at a time, trying to create the largest 5-digit number possible. As the cards are drawn, each player puts the cards down in their "place" (ten thousands, thousands, hundreds, tens, ones) with the numbers showing. One round goes until each player has 6 cards. At that point, each player chooses one card to throw out to make the largest 5-digit number possible.

3. Fraction fun. This game is played with cards 1 (ace)-10, and 2 players. Each player receives one-half of the cards. Player’s turn over 2 cards each at the same time. Each player tries to make the largest fraction by putting the 2 cards together. The players compare their fractions to see whose is larger. For example, if you are given a 3 and a 5, the fraction 3/5 would be made; if the other person is given a 2 and an 8, the fraction is 2/8. Which is larger? The larger fraction takes all cards and play continues until one player has all the cards.

Players can develop strategies for using their cards, and this is where the math skills come in.

Problem Solvers

These games involve problem solving, computation, understanding number values, and chance.

What you'll need

Pack of cards

Paper

Pencil

What to do

1. Super sums. Each player should write the numbers 1-12 on a piece of paper. The object of the game is to be the first one to cross off all the numbers on this list.

Use only the cards 1-6 in every suit (hearts, clubs, spades, diamonds). Each player picks two cards and adds up the numbers on them. The players can choose to mark off the numbers on the list by using the total value or crossing off two or three numbers that make that value. For example, if the player picks a 5 and a 6, the player can choose to cross out 11, or 5 and 6, or 7 and 4, or 8 and 3, or 9 and 2, or 10 and 1, or 1, 2, and 8.

2. Make 100. Take out all the cards from the pack except ace to 6. Each player draws 8 cards from the pack. Each player decides whether to use a card in the tens place or the ones place so that the numbers total as close to 100 as possible without going over. For example, if a player draws two 1s (aces), a 2, a 5, two 3s, a 4, and a 6, he can choose to use the numerals in the following way:

30, 40, 10, 5, 6, 1, 3, 2. This adds up to 97.

These games help children develop different ways to see and work with numbers by using them in different combinations to achieve a goal.

More or Less

Playing cards is a fun way for children to use numbers.

What you'll need

Coin

2 packs of cards

Paper to keep score

What to do

1. Flip a coin to tell if the winner of this game will be the person with "more" (a greater value card) or "less" (a smaller value card).

2. Remove all court cards (jacks, queens, and kings) and divide the remaining cards in the stack between the two players.

3. Place the cards face down. Each player turns over one card and compares: Is mine more or less? How many more? How many less?

This game for young children encourages number sense and helps them learn about the relationships of numbers (more or less) and about adding and subtracting. By counting the shapes on the cards and looking at the printed numbers on the card, they can learn to relate the number of objects to the numeral.

Picture Puzzle

Using symbols to stand for numbers can help make math fun and easier for young children to understand.

What you'll need

Paper

Pencil

Crayons

What to do

1. Choose some symbols that your child can easily draw to stand for 1s and 10s (if your child is older, include 100s and 1,000s).

A face could 10s, and a bow could be 1s.

2. List some numbers and have your child depict them.

Important Things To Know

It is highly likely that when you studied math, you were expected to complete lots of problems accurately and quickly. There was only one-way to arrive at your answers, and it was believed that the best way to improve math ability was to do more problems and to do them fast. Today, the focus is less on the quantity of memorized problems, and more on understanding the concepts and applying thinking skills to arrive at an answer. To develop "transferable skills".

Wrong Answers Can Help!

While accuracy is always important, a wrong answer may help you and your child discover what your child may not understand. You might find some of these thoughts helpful when thinking about wrong answers.

Above all be patient. All children want to succeed. They don't want red marks or incorrect answers. They want to be proud and to make you and the teacher proud. So, the wrong answer tells you to look further, to ask questions, and to see what the wrong answer is saying about the child's understanding.

Sometimes, the wrong answer to a problem might be because the child thinks the problem is asking another question. For example, when children see the problem 4 + ___ = 9, they often respond with an answer of 13. That is because they think the problem is asking, What is 4 + 9?", instead of "4 plus what missing amount equals 9?"

Ask your child to explain how the problem was solved. The response might help you discover if your child needs help with the procedures, the number facts, or the concepts involved.

You may have learned something the teacher might find helpful. A short note or call will alert the teacher to possible ways of helping your child.

Help your children be risk takers: help them see the value of examining a wrong answer; assure them that the right answers will come with proper understanding.

Problems Can Be Solved Different Ways
Through the years, we have learned that while problems in math may have only one solution, there may be many ways to get the right answer. When working on math problems with your child, ask, "Could you tell me how you got that answer?" Your child's way might be different than yours. If the answer is correct and the strategy or way of solving it has worked, it is a great alternative. By encouraging children to talk about what they are thinking, we help them to become stronger mathematicians and independent thinkers.

Doing math in Your Head is Important

Have you ever noticed that today very few people take their pencil and paper out to solve problems in the grocery, fast food, or department store or in the office? Instead, most people estimate in their heads.

Calculators and computers demand that people put in the correct information and that they know if the answers are reasonable. Usually people look at the answer to determine if it makes sense, applying the math in their heads to the problem. This, then, is the reason why doing math in their heads is so important to our children as they enter the 21st century.

You can help your child become a stronger mathematician by trying some of these ideas to foster mental math skills:

1. Help children do mental math with lots of small numbers in their heads until they develop quick and accurate responses. Questions such as, "If I have 4 cups, and I need 7, how many more do I need?" or "If I need 12 drinks for the class, how many packages of 3 drinks will I need to buy?"

2. Encourage your child to estimate the answer. When estimating, try to use numbers to make it easy to solve problems quickly in your head to determine a reasonable answer. For example, when figuring 18 plus 29, an easy way to get a "close" answer is to think about 20 + 30, or 50.

3. As explained earlier, allow your children to use strategies that make sense to them.

4. Ask often, "Is your answer reasonable?" Is it reasonable that I added 17 and 35 and got 367? Why? Why not?

What Jobs Require math?

All jobs need math in one way or another. From the simplest thought of how long it will take to get to work to determining how much weight a bridge can hold, all jobs require math.

If you took a survey, you would find that everyone uses math: the schoolteacher, the cook, the doctor, the petrol station attendant, the solicitor, the housewife, and the painter.

Math in the Home

This section provides the opportunity to use games and activities at home to explore math with your child. The activities are intended to be fun and inviting, using household items.

Remember,

* This is an opportunity for you and your child to "talk math," that is to communicate about math while investigating relationships.

* If something is too difficult, choose an easier activity or skip it until your child is older.

* Have fun!

LEARN MATH BASIC

You may have noticed that we are talking about "mathematics" -- the subject that incorporates numbers, shapes, patterns, estimation, and measurement, and the concepts that relate to them. You probably remember studying "arithmetic" -- adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing -- when you were in primary school. Now, children are starting right away to learn about the broad ideas associated with math, including problem solving, communicating mathematically, and reasoning.

Teachers are nursery schools are building bar graphs of birthday cakes to show which month has the most birthdays for the most children in the class. Pizzas or cakes can be used to learn fractions, and measurements can be taken using items other than rulers.

What Does It Mean To

* Be a Problem Solver,

* Communicate Mathematically, and

* Demonstrate Reasoning Ability?

A problem solver is someone who questions, investigates, and explores solutions to problems; demonstrates the ability to stick with a problem for days, if necessary, to find a workable solution; uses different strategies to arrive at an answer; considers many different answers as possibilities; and applies math to everyday situations and uses it successfully.

To communicate mathematically means to use words or mathematical symbols to explain real life; to talk about how you arrived at an answer; to listen to others' ways of thinking and perhaps alter their thinking; to use pictures to explain something; to write about math, not just give an answer.

To demonstrate reasoning ability is to justify and explain one's thinking about math; to think logically and be able to explain similarities and differences about things and make choices based on those differences; and to think about relationships between things and talk about them.

How Do I Use this Book?

This book is divided into introductory material that explains the basic principles behind the current approach to math, and sections on activities you can do with your children. The activities take place in three locations: the home, the supermarket, and in transit.

The activities are arranged at increasingly harder levels of difficulty. The ones you choose and the level of difficulty really depend on your child's ability. If your child seems ready, you might want to go straight to the most difficult ones.

Each activity page contains the answer or a simple explanation of the mathematical concept behind the activity so that you can explain when your child asks, "Why are we doing this?"

With these few signs to follow along the way, your math journey begins.

WRITE AND TALK, TOO

While reading with your child is most important, there are other activities that help to get children ready to read. With a solid foundation, your child will not only read, but will read with enthusiasm.

Learning to read is part of learning language. It's like leaning to catch a ball. The child must learn to watch the ball when it is thrown, to step into it, and to place their hands to make the catch. It's a single event made up of three acts. After a while they learn to do all three at once.

The same is true of learning language. When we use language, we speak words out loud, we read words on paper, and we write. This section has activities that encourage your child to

* Speak

* Read

* Write

* Listen

Begin long before you expect your child actually to read, and continue long after your child is an independent reader.

Now, turn the page and start enjoying language.

STORY TALK

Talking about what you read is another way to help children develop language and thinking skills. You don't need to plan the talk, discuss every story, or expect an answer.

What you'll need

Reading materials

What to do

1. Read slowly and pauses occasionally to think out loud about a story. You can speculate: "I wonder what's going to happen next!" Or ask a question: "Do you know what a palace is?" Or point out: "Look where the little mouse is now."

2. Answer your children's questions, and if you think they don't understand something, stop and ask them. Don't worry if you break into the flow of a story to make something clear.

3. Read the name of the book's author and illustrator and make sure your children understand what they do.

Talking about stories they read helps children develop their vocabularies, link stories to everyday life, and use what they know about the world to make sense out of stories.

FAMILY READING TIME

A quiet time for family members to read on his or her own may be the only chance a busy parent gets to read the paper.

What you'll need

Your own reading materials

Reading materials for your children

What to do

1. Both you and your child should pick out something to read.

2. Don't be concerned if your beginning readers pick materials that are easier than their school reading books. Practice with easy books (and the comics) will improve their fluency.

3. If you subscribe to a children's magazine, this is a good time to get it out. There are many good children's magazines, and youngsters often get a special thrill out of receiving their own mail.

4. Relax and enjoy while you each read your own selections.

A family reading time shows that you like to read. Because you value reading, your children will too.

READ TO ME

It's important to read to your children, but equally important to listen to them read to you. Children thrive on having someone appreciate their developing skills.

What you'll need

Books at your child's reading level

What to do

1. Listen attentively as your child reads.

2. Take turns. You read a paragraph and have your child read the next one. As your child becomes more at ease with reading aloud, take turns reading a full page. Keep in mind that your child may be focusing on how to read, and your reading helps to keep the story alive.

3. If your children have trouble reading words, you can help in several ways.

* Tell them to skip over the word, read the rest of the sentence, and ask what word would make sense in the story.

* Help them use what they know about letters and sounds.

* Supply the correct word.

4. Tell children how proud you are of their efforts and skills.

Listening to your children read aloud provides opportunities for you to express appreciation of their new skills and for them to practice their reading. Most importantly, it's another way to enjoy reading together.

POETRY IN MOTION

When children act out a good poem, they love its rhyme, rhythm, and the pictures it paints with a few well-chosen words. They grow as readers by connecting emotion with the written word.

What you'll need

Poems that rhyme, tell a story, and are written from a child's point of view

What to do

1. Read a poem slowly to your child, and brings all your dramatic talents to the reading. (In other words, ham it up.)

2. If there is a poem your child is particularly fond of, suggest acting out a favorite line. Be sure to award such efforts with delighted enthusiasm.

3. Then suggest acting out a verse, a stanza, or the entire poem. Ask your child to make a face of the way the character in the poem is feeling. Remember that facial expressions bring emotion into the performer's voice.

4. Again, be an enthusiastic audience for your child. Applause is always nice.

5. If your child is comfortable with the idea, look for a larger setting with an attentive, appreciative audience. Perhaps an after-dinner "recital" for family members would appeal to your child.

6. Mistakes are a fact of life, so ignore them.

Poems are often short with lots of white space on the page. This makes them manageable for new readers and helps to build their confidence.

R AND R: REPETITION AND RHYME

Repetition makes books predictable, and young readers love knowing what comes next.

What you'll need

Books with repeated phrases*

Short rhyming poems

* A few favorites are: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible. No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst; Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr.; Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss; and The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper. There are many good book lists that highlight those books with repetitive refrains.

What to do

1. Pick a story with repeated phrases or a poem you and your child like.

2. For example, read:

Wolf Voice: Little pig, little pig,
Let me come in.

Little Pig: Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin.

Wolf Voice: Then I'll huff and I'll puff, And I'll blow your house in!

After the wolf has blown down the first pig's house, your child will soon join in with the refrain.

3. Read slowly, and with a smile or a nod, let your children know you appreciate their participation.

4. As children grow more familiar with the story, pause and give them the chance to "fill in the blanks".

5. Encourage your children to pretend to read, especially books that contain repetition and rhyme. Most children who enjoy reading will eventually memorize all or parts of a book and imitate your reading.

When youngsters anticipate what's coming next in a story or poem, they have a sense of mastery over books. When children feel power, they have the courage to try. Pretending to read is an important step in the process of learning to read.

BOOKS AND BABIES

Babies love to listen to the human voice. What better way than through reading!

What you'll need

Some baby books (books made of cardboard or cloth with flaps to lift and holes to peek through)

What to do

1. Start out by singing lullabies and folk songs to your baby. At around 6 months, look for books with brightly colored, simple pictures and lots of rhythm. ('Mother Goose' is perfect.) At around 9 months, include books that feature pictures and names of familiar objects.

2. As you read, point out objects in the pictures and make sure your baby sees all the things that are fun to do with books. ('Pat the Bunny' by Dorothy Kunhardt is a classic touch-and-feel book for babies.)

3. Vary the tone of your voice, sing nursery rhymes, bounce your knee, make funny faces, do whatever special effects you can to stimulate your baby's interest.

4. Allow your child to touch and hold cloth and sturdy cardboard books.

5. When reading to a baby, be brief but read often.

As you read to your baby, your child is forming an association between books and what is most loved -- your voice and closeness. Allowing babies to handle books deepens their attachment even more.

LOOK FOR BOOKS

The main thing is to find books you both love. They will shape your child's first impression of the world of reading.

What to do

1. Ask friends, neighbors, and teachers to share the names of their favorite books.

2. Visit your local public library, and as early as possible, get your child a library card. Ask the librarian for help in selecting books. (Also see the resources section at the end of this book.)

3. Look for award-winning books. Each year their are a number of associations and organizations which select children's books of merit.

4. Check the book review sections of newspapers and magazines for recommended new children's books.

5. As soon as they're old enough, have your children join you in browsing for books and making selections.

6. If you and your child don't enjoy reading a particular book, put it aside and pick up another one.

Keep in mind your child's reading level and listening level are different. When you read easy books, beginning readers will soon be reading along with you. When you read more advanced books, you instill a love of stories, and you build motivation that transforms children into lifelong readers.

READ ALONG

The following is intended to help you become a parent who is great at reading with your child. You'll find ideas and activities to enrich this precious time together.

Children become readers when their parents read to them. It really is as simple as that. And here's the good news: It's easy to do and it's great fun. With a little practice you will be making the memories of a lifetime, memories both you and your child will cherish.

It is best to read to your child early and often. But it's never too late to begin. Start today. Although the activities in this section are designed to enhance reading aloud with preschoolers and beginning readers, a child is never too old to be read to.

With youngsters, remember that reading is a physical act, as well as a mental one. It involves hand-eye coordination. So, when you read, involve your child by:

* Pointing out objects in the pictures;

* Following the words with your finger (so your child develops a sense that the words go from left to fight on the page); and

* Having your child help turn the pages (to lean that the pages turn from fight to left).

HOW DO I USE THIS BOOK?

There are two types of activities in this book to help:

* Make reading with your child enjoyable and

* Increase writing, talking, and listening to boost your child's love of language.

Most of the activities are for children who range in age from 3 to 10 years, with a few for babies. The activities may be divided into those suitable for:

Infant up to 2 years

Preschooler (ages 3-5)

Beginning reader (ages 6-7)

Developing reader (ages 8-10)

Enjoyment is essential in the process of helping your child become a reader. All of the activities are written with this thought in mind. So, if you and your child don't enjoy one activity, move on to something else and try it again later

TALKING ABOUT STORIES

ONE MORE TIME

You may go through a period when your child favors one book and wants it read night after night. It is not unusual for children to favor a particular story, and this can be boring for parents. Keep in mind, however, that a favorite story may speak to your child's interests or emotional needs. Be patient. Continue to expose your children to a wealth of books and eventually they will be ready for more stories.

TALKING ABOUT STORIES

It's often a good idea to talk about a story you are reading, but you need not feel compelled to talk about every story. Good stories will encourage a love for reading, with or without conversation. And sometimes children need time to think about stories they have read. A day or so later, don't be surprised if your child mentions something from a story you've read together.

THE MORE THE MERRIER

From time to time, invite other adults or older children to listen in or join in reading aloud. The message is: Reading is for everybody.

IT'S PART OF LIFE

Although the life of a parent is often hectic, you should try to read with your child at least once a day at a regularly scheduled time. But don't be discouraged if you skip a day or don't always keep to your schedule. Just read to your child as often as you possibly can.

If you have more than one child, try to spend some time reading alone with each child, especially if they're more than 2 years apart. However, it's also fine to read to children at different stages and ages at the same time. Most children enjoy listening to many types of stories. When stories are complex, children can still get the idea and can be encouraged to ask questions. When stories are easy or familiar, youngsters enjoy these "old friends" and may even help in the reading. Taking the time to read with your children on a regular basis sends an important message: Reading is worthwhile.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

It is important to keep fun in your parent-child reading and to let joy set the tone and pace. Here is a story to keep in mind.

Shamu is a performing whale, to the delight of many. However, she sometimes gets distracted and refuses to do her tricks. When that happens, her trainers stand around in dripping wetsuits and wait for her stubbornness to pass. They know that when a 5,000-pound whale decides she doesn't want to flip her tail on cue,
there is very little anyone can do about it. But whales like to play, and sooner or later Shamu returns to the game of performing for her audience. Shamu's trainers know this so they're always patient, they're always confident, and they always make performing fun.

While helping your child become a reader is certainly different from training a whale, the same qualities of patience, confidence, and playfulness in your approach will get results. If, from time to time, your child gets distracted and loses interest, take a break. Children love to learn. Give them a little breathing room, and their interest will always be renewed.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

It's no secret that activities at home are an important supplement to the classroom, but there's more to it than that. There are things that parents can give children at home that the classrooms cannot give.

Children who are read to grow to love books. Over the years, these children will have good memories to treasure. They remember stories that made them laugh and stories that made them cry. They remember sharing these times with someone they love, and they anticipate with joy the time when they will be able to read for themselves.

By reading aloud together, by being examples, and by doing other activities, parents are in a unique position to help children enjoy reading and see the value of it.

REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE VERY YOUNG

Between the ages of 4 and 7, many children begin to recognize words on a page. In our society this may begin with recognition of a logo for a fast food chain or the brand name of a favorite cereal. But, before long, that special moment when a child holds a book and starts to decode the mystery of written words is likely to occur.

You can help remove part of the mystery without worrying about a lot of theory. Just read the stories and poems and let them work their wonders. There is no better way to prepare your child for that moment when reading starts to "click," even if it's years down the road.

It will help, however, if we open our eyes to some things adult readers tend to take for granted. It's easier to be patient when we remember how much children do not know. Here are a few concepts we adults know so well we forget sometimes we ever learned them.

* There's a difference between words and pictures. Point to the print as you read aloud.

* Words on a page have meaning, and that is what we learn to read.

* Words go across the page from left to right. Follow with your finger as you read.

* Words on a page are made up of letters and are separated by a space.

* Each letter has at least two forms: one for capital letters and one for small letters.

Imagine how you would feel if you were trying to interpret a book full of hieroglyphic symbols. That's how young readers feel. But, a little patience (maybe by turning it into a puzzle you can solve together) is certain to build confidence.

ADVERTISE THE JOY OF READING!

Our goal is to motivate children to want to read so they will practice reading independently and, thus, become fluent readers. That happens when children enjoy reading. We parents can do for reading what fast food chains do for hamburgers... ADVERTISE! And we advertise by reading great stories and poems to children.

We can help our children find the tools they need to succeed in life. Having access to information through the printed word is an absolute necessity. Knowledge is power, and books are full of it. But reading is more than just a practical tool. Through books we can enrich our minds; we can also relax and enjoy some precious leisure moments.

With your help, your children can begin a lifelong relationship with the printed word, so they grow into adults who read easily and frequently whether for business, knowledge, or pleasure.

START YOUNG AND STAY

There is no more important activity for preparing your child to succeed as a reader than reading aloud together. Fill your story times with a variety of books. Be consistent, be patient, and watch the magic work.

At just a few months of age, an infant can look at pictures, listen to your voice, and point to objects on cardboard pages. Guide your child by pointing to the pictures, and say the names of the various objects. By drawing attention to pictures and associating the words with both pictures and the real-world objects, your child will learn the importance of language.

Children learn to love the sound of language before they even notice the existence of printed words on a page. Reading books aloud to children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to understand the written word. When the rhythm and melody of language become a part of a child's life, learning to read will be as natural as learning to walk and talk.

Even after children lean to read by themselves, it's still important for you to read aloud together. By reading stories that are on their interest level, but beyond their reading level, you can stretch young readers' understanding and motivate them to improve their skills.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Helping Child To Learn To Read

When parents help their children learn to read, they help open the door to a new world. As a parent, you can begin an endless learning chain: You read to your children, they develop a love of stories and poems, they want to read on their own, they practice reading, and finally they read for their own information or pleasure. They become readers, and their world is forever expanded and enriched.

This book focuses primarily on what you can do to help children up to 10 years of age. During these years you can lay the foundation for your child to become a lifelong reader. In the first section, you will find some basic information about reading to your child. This is followed by suggestions that guide you to

* Read with your child and make this all-important time together enjoyable;

* Stimulate your child's interest in reading and language; and

* Learn about your child's school reading programs and find ways to help.

While most of the book is for parents of children up to 10 years of age, there is a brief section for parents of older children on how to help them continue to grow as readers.

Finally, there is a resource section. As you make reading with your child a routine part of your lives, this section will help you to find new ideas and a variety of books you both might like.

You don't need to be an especially skillful reader yourself to help your child. In fact, some public libraries offer adult literacy programs that involve reading to children as a way to improve literacy skills for the whole family. Nor do you have to devote great amounts of time to reading with your child. It's the quality of time that counts. Just be consistent -- give as much time as you can each day to help your child. The activities suggested are designed to fit into busy schedules.

Helping your child become a reader is an adventure you will not want to miss. The benefits to your child are immeasurable, and in the process you will find your world becoming richer as well.

Helping Child Learn Math

Most parents will agree that it is a wonderful experience to cuddle up with their child and a good book. Few people will say that about flash cards or pages of math problems. For that reason, we have prepared this book to offer some math activities that are meaningful as well as fun. You might want to try doing some of them to help your child explore relationships, solve problems, and see math in a positive light. These activities use materials that are easy to find. They have been planned so you and your child might see that math is not just work we do at school but, rather, a part of life.

It is important for home and school to join hands. By fostering a positive attitude about math at home, we can help our children learn math at school.

It's Everywhere! It's Everywhere!

Math is everywhere and yet, we may not recognize it because it doesn't look like the math we did in school. Math in the world around us sometimes seems invisible. But math is present in our world all the time -- in the workplace, in our homes, and in life in general.

You may be asking yourself, "How is math everywhere in my life? I'm not an engineer or an accountant or a computer expert!" math is in your life from the time you wake until the time you go to sleep. You are using math each time you set your alarm, buy groceries, mix baby food, keep score or time at an athletic event, wallpaper a room, decide what type of shoe to buy, or wrap a present. Have you ever asked yourself, "Did I get the correct change?" or "Do I have enough petrol to drive 20 miles?" or "Do I have enough juice to fill all my children's flasks for lunch?" or "Do I have enough bread for the week?" math is all this and much, much more.

How Do You Feel About math?

How do you feel about math? Your feelings will have an impact on how your children think about math and themselves as mathematicians. Take a few minutes to answer these questions:

* Did you like math in school?

* Do you think anyone can learn math?

* Do you think of math as useful in everyday life?

* Do you believe that most jobs today require math skills?

If you answer "yes" to most of these questions, then you are probably encouraging your child to think mathematically. This book contains some ideas that will help reinforce these positive attitudes about math.

You Can Do It!

If you feel uncomfortable about math, here are some ideas to think about.

Math is a very important skill, one which we will all need for the future in our technological world. It is important for you to encourage your children to think of themselves as mathematicians who can reason and solve problems.

Math is a subject for all people. Math is not a subject that men can do better than women. Males and females have equally strong potential in math.

People in the fine arts also need math. They need math not only to survive in the world, but each of their areas of specialty requires an in-depth understanding of some math, from something as obvious as the size of a canvas, to the beats in music, to the number of seats in an audience, to computer-generated artwork.

Calculators and computers require us to be equally strong in math. Their presence does not mean there is less need for knowing math. Calculators demand that people have strong mental math skills -- that they can do math in their heads. A calculator is only as accurate as the person putting in the numbers. It can compute; it cannot think! Therefore, we must be the thinkers. We must know what answers are reasonable and what answers are outrageously large or small.

Positive attitudes about math are important for our country. People are quick to admit, "I am not good at math." We need to change this attitude, because mathematicians are a key to our future.

The workplace is rapidly changing. No longer do people need only the computational skills they once needed in the 1940s. Now workers need to be able to estimate, to communicate mathematically, and to reason within a mathematical context.
Because our world is so technologically oriented, employees need to have quick reasoning and problem-solving skills and the capability to solve problems together. The work force will need to be confident in math.

Build Your Self-Confidence!

To be mathematically confident means to realize the importance of mathematics and feel capable of learning to

* Use mathematics with ease;

* Solve problems and work with others to do so;

* Demonstrate strong reasoning ability;

* See more than one way to approach a problem;

* Apply mathematical ideas to other situations; and

* Use technology.

How Do I Set Up A Long-Range Plan?

Step by step, you can help your child make informed decisions about his or her education, do well academically, learn about colleges, and find the best possible opportunities for a college education.

Following are two checklists that are designed to help you and your child, year by year, progress toward preparing for college -- both academically and financially. The first list speaks directly to your child, although he or she may need your help. The second list speaks directly to you.

College Preparation Checklist for Students

* Take challenging classes in English, mathematics, science, history, geography, and a foreign language.

* Develop strong study skills.

* Start thinking about which school classes will best prepare you for college.

* If you have an opportunity to choose among schools, or among different programs within one high school, investigate the options and determine which ones will help you:

Further your academic and career interests and open doors to many future options.

* Investigate different ways to save money -- entering a savings program or opening a savings account in a bank, etc.

* Start saving for college if you haven't already.

* Get to know your career counselor and other college resources available in your school. Discuss with them appropriate colleges and their requirements.

* Talk to adults in a variety of professions to determine what they like and dislike about their jobs and what kind of education is needed for each kind of job.

* Become involved in school- or community-based extracurricular activities that interest you and/or enable you to explore career interests.

* Take advantage of opportunities to visit colleges and talk to students.

* Decide which colleges most interest you. Write these schools to request information and an application for admission. Be sure to ask about special admissions requirements, financial aid, and deadlines.

* Talk to college representatives at college fairs.

* Consider people to ask for recommendations -- teachers, careers counselors, employers, etc.

* Investigate the availability of financial aid. Talk to your teacher or careers counselor for more information.

* Investigate the availability of scholarships.

* If applicable, go to the library and look for directories of scholarships for minorities and disabled students.

* Prepare your college application carefully. Follow the instructions, and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES! Be sure to ask your careers counselor and teachers at least two weeks before your application deadlines to submit the necessary documents to colleges.

* Investigate different ways to save money.

* Start saving money for your child's college education.

* Help your child investigate the availability of financial aid.

* Help your child investigate the availability of scholarships.

* If applicable, go to the library with your son or daughter and look for directories on scholarships for minorities and disabled students.

* Make sure your child completes all necessary college application and financial aid forms.

Are There Other Ways To Keep The Cost

Enroll in a College of Further Education; Then Transfer to a University

Local community colleges are usually the least expensive. In addition to charging low tuition, they are located in the area in which the student lives, which makes it possible to save by living at home and commuting to campus.

After successfully completing a course, the student may gain credits, which will enable them to transfer to a university and work toward a degree.

If your child chooses this route, he or she needs to take courses at college that will count toward a degree. Certain community college courses may not be transferable to a higher institution. Local college admissions officers can explain transfer terms and opportunities.

Work Part Time

Some students choose to work part time and attend college part time. If your child wishes to do this, he or she should make sure that work, classes, and time for studying do not conflict. Some institutions offer programs that enable students to combine work and classes. Although studying part time is a good option for many students, it usually takes longer for part-time students to complete their courses.

How Can I Afford to Send My Child To College?

Saving money in advance and obtaining financial aid are common ways for parents to make their child's education affordable. Other ways of making college affordable, such as attending college part time, will be discussed later in this handbook.

Saving Money

Saving money is the primary way to prepare for the costs of college. Setting aside a certain amount every month or each payday will help build up a fund for college. If you and your child begin saving early, the amount you have to set aside each month will be smaller.

In order to set up a savings schedule, you'll need to think about where your child might attend college, how much that type of college might cost, and how much you can afford to save. Keep in mind that colleges of the same type have a range of costs and your child may be able to attend one that is less expensive. You can also pay part of the costs from your earnings while your child is attending school. In addition, your child may also be able to meet some of the costs of college by working during the school year or during the summer. Finally, some student financial aid may be available, including loans.

You will also want to think about what kind of savings program to use or what kind of investment to make. By putting your money in some kind of savings program or investment, you can set aside small amounts of money regularly and the money will earn interest or dividends. Interest refers to the amount that your money earns when it is kept in a savings program. Dividends are payments of part of a company's earnings to people who hold stock in the company.

A savings program has an "interest rate" associated with it; this refers to the rate at which the money in the program increases over a certain period of time. Principal refers to the face value or the amount of money you place in the savings program on which the interest is earned.

How much you would need to save each month in order to have enough available when your child begins college, varies depending on the interest rate you obtain and the number of years that you save. The higher the interest rate and the earlier you begin to save, the less you need to set aside each month.

Remember, by starting to save early and by using programs with higher interest rates, you can put aside smaller amounts. If you wait until later to start saving, you may not be able to afford to put away the larger amounts of money needed to meet your savings goals.

When deciding which type of savings program or Investment is right for you and your family, you should consider four features:

-- Risk: The danger that the money you set aside could be worth less in the future.

-- Return: The amount of money you earn on the savings program or investment through interest or dividends.

-- Liquidity: How quickly you can gain access to the money in the program or investment.

-- Time Frame: The number of years you will need to save or invest.

When you select one or more savings programs or investments, you should balance these factors by minimizing the risk while maximizing the return on your money. You will also want to be sure that you will be able to access the money at the time you need to pay for your child's education.

If you start early enough, you may feel confident about making some long-term investments. Some investments are riskier than others but can help you earn more money over time. You can get information on savings programs at local banks and at your library.

Don't forget that you won't necessarily have to save for the entire cost of college. The following section tells about student financial aid for which you and your child might qualify and other ways to keep college costs down.

Financial Aid

Financial aid can help many families meet college costs. Every year millions of students apply for and receive financial aid. In fact, the great majority of students who go on for more education after school receive financial aid of some kind.

There are three main types of financial assistance available to qualified students at the college level:

-- Grants and Scholarships;

-- Loans; a

-- Work-Study.

* Grants and Scholarships

Grants and scholarships provide aid that does not have to be repaid. However, some require that recipients maintain certain grade levels or take certain courses.

* Loans

Like a car loan or a mortgage for a house, an education loan must eventually be repaid. Often, payments do not begin until the student finishes school. For students with no established credit record, it is usually easier to get student loans than other kinds of loans.

In all cases, a loan taken to pay for a college education must be repaid, whether or not a student completes the course or gets a job after graduation. Failure to repay a student loan can ruin a person's credit rating and make finances much more difficult in the future. This is an important reason to consider a college's graduation and job placement rates when you help your child choose a school.

* Work-Study Programs

Many students work during the summer and/or part time during the school year to help pay for college. Although many obtain jobs on their own, some companies also offer work-study programs to students/employees.
The types of financial aid discussed above can be merit-based, need-based, or a combination of merit-based and need-based.

* Merit-based Financial Aid

Merit-based assistance, usually in the form of scholarships or grants, is given to students who meet requirements not related to financial needs. For example, a merit scholarship may be given to a student who has done well in school or one who displays a particular talent. Most merit-based aid is awarded on the basis of academic performance or potential.

* Need-based Financial Aid

"Need-based" means that the amount of aid a student can receive depends on the cost of the college and on his or her family's ability to pay these costs. Most financial aid is need-based and is available to qualified students.

* Other Types of Assistance

Other organizations, such as corporations, unions, professional associations, and religious organizations sometimes award financial aid. You can find out about the availability of such scholarships by contacting someone from the specific organization or by directly contacting its main headquarters.

In addition, some organizations, particularly foundations, offer scholarships to minorities and disabled students. To learn more about such scholarships, go to the nearest public library with a good reference section and look for directories that list such scholarships. College admissions offices and school careers guidance counselors should also be able to provide more information about scholarships.

* Help in Getting More Information

The teachers or careers guidance counselors at your child's school should be able to provide information on when and how to apply for student loans and other types of aid. If they cannot give you this information, try a local college. Even if your child doesn't plan to attend that particular institution, financial aid officers there should have information on financial aid.

How Much Need-Based Financial Aid Can My Child Get?

The amount of need-based financial aid a student qualifies for depends on his or her financial need. Financial need is equal to the cost of education (estimated costs for college attendance and basic living expenses) minus the family contribution (the amount a student's family is expected to pay, which varies according to the family's financial resources).

How Much Does A College Education Cost?

Many people overestimate the cost of college or believe that all schools are expensive. For example, a recent Gallup survey indicated that 13- to 21-year-olds overestimated the average cost of attending colleges by more than three times the actual figure.

Although some colleges are expensive, costs vary from institution to institution. In addition, the availability of financial aid -- money available from various sources to help students pay for college -- can make even an expensive college affordable for a qualified student.

College Costs

The basic costs of college are tuition, fees, and other expenses:

* Tuition
Tuition is the amount of money that colleges charge for instruction and for the use of some facilities, such as libraries. Tuition can range from a few hundred pounds per year to several thousand. However, there are a few institutions that don't charge any tuition fees at all.

* Fees
Fees are charges (usually small) that cover costs generally not associated with the student's course load, such as costs of some sports activities, student activities, clubs, and special events.

* Other Expenses
Besides tuition and fees, students at most colleges and universities pay for room, board, books, supplies, transportation, and other miscellaneous costs. "Room and board" refers to the cost of housing and food.

Future College Costs

Because there are many factors that affect the costs of a college education, it is impossible to know exactly how much colleges will charge when your child is ready to enroll. Be cautious when people tell you a particular amount; no one can be sure how much costs will change over time. In addition, as college costs increase, the amount of money you earn, and thus the amount you will have available to pay for college, will also rise.

How Can My Child go about Choosing a College?

Colleges are located in cities, suburbs, and small towns throughout the country. Some enroll tens of thousands of students; others enroll only a few hundred. Most are public; a few are private. Some private institutions are affiliated with religious institutions.

The type of institution best suited to your child depends on his or her individual needs and talents. Your child can begin focusing on the choice of a college by considering the following questions:

-- Why do I want to go to college?

-- What do I hope to achieve in college?

-- Do I have some idea of what I want to study or for which job
I want to prepare?

-- Do I want to live at home or go away to school?

-- What area would I prefer?

-- Would I be happier in a small college or at a large university?

In order to choose a college, you and your child should ask the following questions about the nature and quality of the schools in which your child has an interest.

The Nature of the Education Offered

* What is the philosophy of the particular college and what a kind of educational programs does these colleges offer?

Ask about the college's specialties, which types of classes the school offers, and in which fields students can earn a degree or certificate. How many students study in each area, and what do they do when they graduate?

* How long does it take to earn a certificate or degree at this college?

Students should know how much time it takes to complete a program before they enroll in it. Programs can last anywhere from a few months to several years. Also ask whether the time involved reflects full-time or part-time attendance.

* What do students do when they graduate from this school? Do they get jobs in the areas that they were trained for? Do they pursue further education?

Job placement rates are particularly important for vocational programs. If a very low percentage of students are employed in their area of training a year after completing the program, there may be a problem. It can also be useful to ask about starting salaries of program graduates and the institution's career advising and placement services for its students.

Students who enroll in further education colleges and plan to transfer to a university should inquire about the possibility of doing so and about the number of graduates who transfer each year. Students applying to universities may want to know how many graduates go on to post-graduate or professional education.

The Quality of the College

* How many students who start at this school earn a certificate or degree? How many drop out?

A high drop-out rate may suggest that students are dissatisfied with the education an institution provides. Be particularly careful about having your child enroll in a school that graduates a very low percentage of its students. Also ask about tuition refund policies for students who drop out in the first weeks of an educational program.

* Have other students who have gone to this college liked it? What has their experience been?

Colleges should be able to refer you to current students or recent graduates of their programs. These individuals can give you their opinion about classes, facilities, the faculty (teachers), and the skills they have learned.

* What kinds of facilities does this college have? Are they adequate for my child's needs?

You and your child should consider the condition of classrooms, libraries, and other facilities when choosing a college. The types of facilities appropriate for a college depend on the type of education provided. For example, a college offering classes in the sciences should have modern laboratories, and an institution that offers computer education classes should have adequate computer facilities.

Admissions Requirements and Financial Aid

* What admissions requirements does this college have?

Each institution can require students to have taken certain school classes and attained certain examination levels. Make sure you know what the schools that interest your child require.

* Is this college recognized by the Department of Education?

Financial aid is available only to students attending eligible institutions. Students attending other institutions cannot receive financial aid. If you are interested in having your child apply for financial aid, be wary of unaccredited institutions and those with high default rates.

EXERCISE

College Inquiries

Help your child list the colleges he/she knows about and might be interested in attending. Write down whether they are colleges of further education or universities. Ask your child why these schools are appealing to him or her. You and your child may want to contact the colleges to get more information.

Whan Can My Child do Outside The Classroom to Prepare For College?

Interpersonal and leadership skills, interests and goals are all important for college preparation. Independent reading and study, extracurricular activities, and work experience will all help your child develop his or her skills, interests, and goals.

Independent Reading and Study

Independent reading and study will help your child to prepare academically for college. This is a good way to develop interests, expand knowledge, and improve vocabulary and reading comprehension skills needed for college. Encourage your child to read all kinds of books for fun -- fiction and non-fiction. The school library and the local public library are good sources of books, magazines, and newspapers.

Extracurricular Activities

Many school, community, and religious organizations enable students to explore their interests and talents by providing activities outside the classroom. Colleges are often interested in a student's extracurricular activities such as school clubs, the school magazine, sports, musical activities, arts, drama, and volunteer work, especially if a student has excelled in one or more of these areas.

Work Experience

Work experience -- paid or voluntary -- can teach students discipline, responsibility, reliability, teamwork, and other skills. Some students tutor primary school children or fellow students in a subject they have mastered themselves. Others help the disadvantaged or volunteer in hospitals. Many colleges are interested in knowing about this type of experience.

A summer job is a good way to gain experience and earn money for college as well. If your child works during the school year, he or she should not work so many hours that the job interferes with schoolwork.

Creating a Good Place To Study

Your child needs a quiet and comfortable place to study. Here are a few things that you can do:

(1) Help him or her find a quiet place with some privacy.

(2) Set up a desk or large table with good light and place reference books such as a dictionary on the desk or nearby.

(3) Make sure your child studies there on a regular basis.

What Can My Child do to Prepare Academically For College?

To prepare for college, there is no substitute for your child getting a solid academic education. This means your child should take challenging courses in academic subjects and maintain good grades in school. Your child's upper-year reports will be an important part of his or her college application.

A college education builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in earlier years. It is best for your child to start planning an examination course schedule early. Students who don't think ahead may have difficulty completing all the required or recommended courses that will help them qualify for college.

Most selective colleges (those with the highest admissions requirements) prefer to admit students who have taken courses in certain subject areas. For example, many colleges prefer that students have qualifications in English language and mathematics, even if these may not be directly relevant to their subject areas. Some colleges prefer three or four years of a foreign language. Your child's careers guidance counselor can help your child determine the school courses required or preferred by different types of colleges. If your child is interested in specific colleges, he or she can contact them and ask about their admission requirements.

Your child should take courses in at least these core areas:

-- English

-- Mathematics

-- Science

A foreign language and computer science are also highly recommended.

The following Chart lists the school courses that many higher education associations and guidance counselors recommend for a college-bound student. These courses are especially recommended to students who want to attend a university. Even if your child is interested in attending a community or further education college, he or she should take most of these courses since they provide the preparation necessary for all kinds of post-secondary education.

If your child is interested in pursuing a vocational program in a college of further education, he or she may want to supplement or substitute some of the courses listed in the chart with some vocational or technical courses in his or her field of interest. Your child should take at least the suggested courses in the core areas of English, math’s, science, history, and geography.

Traditional English courses such as English literature will help students improve their writing skills, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. History and geography will help your child better understand our society as well as societies around the world.

Mathematical and scientific concepts and skills learned in math’s classes are used in many disciplines outside of these courses.
Some colleges also require that an applicant take one or more achievement/entrance examinations in major areas of study. It is a good idea for a student to consult a guidance counselor about this.

Knowing what will be required for college is important; by taking the right courses and examinations at school, your child may avoid admission problems later on. In addition, students who do not prepare well enough academically in school, if admitted to college, may be required to take additional, remedial courses. Most colleges do not offer credit for these courses, and students may have to pay for these extra courses and spend extra time in college to earn their degrees. The next chart lists some questions that you or your child may want to ask your child's teacher or careers guidance counselor.

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QUESTIONS TO ASK CAREERS GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS

* What basic academic courses do they recommend for students who want to go to college?

* What elective courses do they recommend for college-bound students?

* How does a student go about completing recommended courses before leaving school?

* Can students who are considering college get special help or tutoring?

* What activities can students do at home and over the summers to strengthen their preparation for college?

* How much homework is expected of students preparing for college?

* What kinds of examination grades do different colleges require?

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COURSE PLANNER FOR PARENT AND STUDENT

This exercise will give you and your child a chance to look ahead and choose future courses, but be aware that some courses must be taken in sequence. On a sheet of paper, list your child's current courses or courses he or she will take this year. Then list courses that he or she will take during each year of school. If you are not sure what courses your child should take, you should make an appointment with your child's teacher and get some advice.

WHAT TYPES OF COLLEGES EXIST?

More than a third of all recent high school graduates in the US have had some type of post-secondary education. One reason so many students seek post-secondary education is because of the wide choice of colleges now available. For this reason, your child is likely to find a college well suited to his or her needs.

In recent years former polytechnics and colleges of technology have attained university status, so there is perhaps less distinction between academic and trade or technical courses than their once was.

There are two basic types of colleges:

Technical and Community Colleges

These schools offer programs, full- and part-time, of varying lengths, ranging from 'A' level courses through trade and technical certificate courses to degree courses in association with a university.

Universities

These schools usually offer a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree. Some also offer graduate and professional degrees.

TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES

For students who want a practical education aimed at a specific career in such areas as bookkeeping, dental hygiene, etc., a technical college is probably the answer. In many cases, these programs can be transferred to universities and credited towards a B.A. or B.Sc. degree. Programs vary from school to school, but, in general, are offered by:

Private institutions, some of which are residential and attended by students who may come from other parts of the country; and

Community and Technical Colleges: These are public institutions, mostly serving people from nearby communities.

Many such colleges offer technical/vocational training, as well as academic courses. Some may offer such programs in cooperation with local businesses, industry, public service agencies, or other organizations.

These colleges often operate under an "open admissions" policy, which can vary from school to school. At some institutions, "open admissions" means that anyone who has appropriate GCSE or 'a' level certificates can enroll. At other schools, anyone over 18 years of age can enroll or, in some cases, anyone deemed able to benefit from the programs at the schools can enroll.

Application requirements at some colleges may include a list of all the courses your child took and grades earned in secondary school -- and examination scores as well. Some schools have programs that allow "open admissions," while other programs in the same school -- particularly in scientific or technical subjects -- may have further admission requirements. Since requirements vary widely, it is important to check into schools and programs individually.

UNIVERSITIES

Students who wish to pursue a general academic program usually choose a university. Such a program lays the foundation for more advanced studies and professional work. Universities offer Bachelor's degrees (the B.A. and B.Sc.) in most areas in the arts and sciences, such as English literature, foreign languages, history, economics, political science, biology, zoology, chemistry, and in many other fields.

When a student earns a bachelor's degree it means that he or she has passed examinations in a broad range of courses and has studied one or two subject areas in greater depth. (These one or two subject areas are called a student's "major" area(s) of study or area(s) of "concentration.") A bachelor's degree is usually required before a student can begin studying for a post-graduate degree. A post-graduate degree is usually earned through two or more years of advanced studies beyond three years of college. This might be a master's or a doctoral degree in a particular field or a specialized degree required in certain professions such as law, social work, architecture, or medicine.

WHAT KINDS OF JOBS ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLEGE GRADUATES?

Certificates and degrees earned by graduates of colleges or universities usually lead to a wide range of professional opportunities. Many professions require graduate degrees beyond the traditional three-year degree, such as a medical degree or a law degree. For example:

A course of study in bookkeeping at a community college generally prepares a student for a job as a bookkeeper.

A degree in economics may prepare a student for any one of several jobs in a bank or a business.

A degree in English may serve as background for getting teacher certification in the subject or for being an editor with a magazine.

In the chart below there is a partial listing of different occupations and the educational background generally required for each. Some people who go on to acquire jobs in the university section obtain a graduate degree or some graduate education, but many of these jobs can be filled by people who do not have more than a university education. For more information on the educational requirements of specific jobs, contact a guidance counselor or check the occupational handbooks in your library.

EXERCISE

Help Your Child Think About a Career
Step 1:
Sit down with your child and a sheet of paper and make a list of jobs that sound interesting. It may help to first think about friends or people you've read about or have seen on television who have interesting jobs. List those jobs in the left-hand side of the page. If your child cannot think of interesting jobs, have him or her list subject areas of interest. Then try to help your child identify jobs in those subject areas. Depending on the job, there may be school 'work experience' courses that will give your child a preview of the type of knowledge that is needed for the particular job. On the right-hand side of the page, next to each job, write down the level of education required for that job and any school, college or university courses that may help your child prepare for such a career.
Step 2:
Take the sheet of paper to your local library and, with the help of a reference librarian, locate books on some of the careers your child has selected. Libraries usually have directories that list career requirements. It is not a problem if your child does not know what career path he/she wants to follow; his or her focus during these years should be on doing well in school.

WHY ATTEND COLLEGE?

A college degree can provide your child with many opportunities in life. A college education can mean:

Greater Knowledge

A college education will increase your child's ability to understand developments in science and in society, to think abstractly and critically, to express thoughts clearly in speech and in writing, and to make wise decisions. These skills are useful both within and outside a career.

Greater Potential

A college education can help increase your child's understanding of the community, the Nation, and the world -- as he or she explores interests, discovers new areas of knowledge, considers lifelong goals, and becomes a responsible citizen.

More Job Opportunities

The world is changing rapidly. Many jobs rely on new technology and already require more brainpower than muscle power. In your child's working life, more and more jobs will require education beyond school. With a college education, your child will have more jobs from which to choose.

More Money

A person who attends college generally earns more than a person who does not.

For example, in 1989, a person with a college degree earned approximately œ5,000 more in that year than a person who did not go to college. With a college education, your child can earn higher pay.

Some of these benefits of college may not be obvious to your child. Even though he or she has to make the final decision to attend college, you can help in the decision-making process by learning about all aspects of college yourself and sharing what you learn with your child.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Nutrition and Your Child

They went to the cupboard... Today, feeding children is based on concerns about heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure. There is reason to be concerned. More than 20 percent of Western children are overweight with a good chance that 50 to 70 percent of them will remain overweight as adults. It is important for parents to set good examples of healthful eating. Research shows that children develop eating habits similar to those of their parents. While it is a parent's job to provide balanced selections from the five food groups, children can be allowed a certain amount of freedom to choose what and how much they eat.

Poor eating habits and craving for sugar snacks and fatty foods may develop if parents fail to direct the decision making process. Remember that the issue isn't "good foods" versus "bad foods". If children balk at food put before them, don't worry. Studies show children will, over time, eat the amount of food that is right for them if they are offered healthful choices. You can't expect a child to want to eat broccoli if chips are offered, or drink milk or orange juice when parents are drinking sodas. Of course, an occasional high fat food, gooey dessert, sugary snack, or soda is permissible, provided they are not substitutes for nutritious foods. Parents can make eating a pleasure for the entire family by helping create positive attitudes about food that will lead to a lifetime of good health.

What are the five food groups, and how can we help the entire family eat a balanced diet? The food guide pyramid on this page shows how to select a balanced diet and how to teach your child to make wise choices.
How many servings do you need each day?
______________________Many______Children,_____Teen
______________________Women,____teen girls,___boys,
______________________Older_____active women,_active
______________________Adults____most men______men
______________________About_____about_________about
Calorie level*___________1,600_____2,200_________2,800
Bread Group Servings_____6_________9_____________11
Vegetable Group Serving__3_________4_____________5
Fruit Group Servings_____2_________3_____________4
Milk Group Serving______2-3**_____2-3**_________2-3**
Meat Group Servings____2, for a__2, for a______3, for a
______________________Total of__total of______total of
______________________5 ounces__6 ounces______7 ounces
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Total Fat (grams)________53________73____________93

* These are the calorie levels if you choose low fat. Lean foods from the 5 major food groups and use foods from the fats, oils, and sweets group sparingly.

** Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, teenagers, and young adults to age 24 need 3 servings.

A balanced diet includes food from each of the following food groups:
1. Grains (bread, cereal, rice, and pasta);
2. Fruit (fresh, dried, or unsweetened canned);
3. Vegetables (raw or lightly cooked);
4. Meat (meat, poultry, fish, dried beans, eggs, and nuts); and
5. Dairy (milk, yogurt, and cheese).

Offer your children nutritious choices for meals and snacks. This way you can help them control their own diet. For example, you might offer a choice of an apple, an orange, or a banana. With older children (aged 7 and up) you can start by planning a menu together, letting the children check to make sure it includes all five-food groups.

Remember that each of the food groups provides some, but not all, of the nutrients a child needs. Foods in one group can't replace those in another. No one of these major food groups is more important than another. For good health, all are necessary.

What's for breakfast? Many of us do not eat in the morning. Estimates suggest that up to 25 percent of all school-aged children leave the house without breakfast.

You may think that breakfast is just another meal. For a child, breakfast provides much needed energy (calories) to start the day off right. Adults may be able to make up for skipped breakfast by grabbing something on the way to work or while doing morning errands. Your child, however, does not have that opportunity. A nursery school child usually has a mid-morning snack 3 to 5 hours after waking up. After nursery school, few children are offered a morning snack.

Getting your child to eat breakfast isn't always easy. Try to tune into your child's morning personality. A sleepyhead may need a quick breakfast. An early riser may like to eat breakfast before getting dressed. If this conflicts with your morning schedule, let your children get their own breakfast. Even a 6-year-old can open a container of yogurt.

A good breakfast consists of complex carbohydrates and simple sugars (breads, whole grains, fiber, fruits, and vegetables); proteins (dairy, chicken, beef, fish, eggs, nuts, and dried beans), and some fat. Carbohydrates and simple sugars offer quick energy but leave the stomach quickly. A breakfast of only carbohydrates can give a child mid-morning discomfort. When milk, cheese, yogurt, lean meat, or an egg is added, the food stays in the stomach longer and provides sustained energy.

Does This Mean I Can't Eat Ice Cream?

Good nutrition does not mean that your children cannot eat their favorite foods or that they must eat foods they do not like. Good nutrition means variety and moderation in a person's diet. Choosing what foods to eat is important in pursuing a healthy life. Your children may choose to eat certain foods because they taste good or because they are available. Make nutritious foods available and monitor the "sometimes" foods -- sugary snacks and fatty desserts.

I'd Rather Play

Good health is a blend of physical and emotional well-being. Exercises are basic elements of physical fitness that should be part of play.

Aerobic exercises, such as jogging or jumping, that increase the heartbeat, strengthen the heart and muscles, improve endurance, condition the total body, and help prevent disease. Anaerobic, slow, stretching exercises improve flexibility and muscular fitness. Both types of exercise are important and fun.

I'm Afraid and I'm Unhappy

We all face stressful situations. With family members, with teachers, with friends, and with strangers problems can arise that make your child feel anxious, nervous, confused, or frightened. Too much stress or the wrong kind of stress can make it difficult for children to learn. Helping your child learn appropriate and healthy ways of handling stress, through exercise, proper sleep, discussing problems with an adult, or breaking down jobs into manageable parts, for example, is
important.

You Sneezed Right in My Face!

A healthy lifestyle includes habits that will help your child avoid diseases caused by germs. Material carrying germs can be transferred through handshaking, kissing, coughing, sneezing, or by other means of direct contact. Most shared items have germs on them. Teaching your child how to reduce the transmission of germs can help your child, as well as others, stay healthy.

I Don't Feel Well!

A clean environment will support the health and well being of your child now and in the future. You can begin by having a healthy home that is free of dirt, dust, and germs, as well as dangerous substances such as radon or lead. Make sure, too, that poisonous substances, such as household cleaners and pesticides, are kept away from children. You can also take precautions in preparing foods by washing them carefully and cooking them at the recommended temperature. Outside the home, you can work with others to help combat excessive pollution in your community.

Get Ready, Get Set, Grow Up Healthy

From the time your child is born, there are ways in which you can help your child learn how to grow up healthy. This book has activities that help children

* Understand their emotions and build self-esteem;
* Eat the right foods;
* Prevent disease;
* And build strong bodies.

The book also has safety tips, ways to help your child say "no" to drugs, a section on parents and the schools, a bibliography, and a chart to help you keep track of your child's vaccinations.

First of All, Your Child Is Special

The mental and emotional health of your child is just as important as physical health. From the earliest moment, a child needs to feel that he or she is special and cared about by family members and friends.

A child who enjoys good mental and emotional health is able to approach new situations with confidence.
When children are comfortable with themselves, they can express their emotions in a positive way. As children learn to value themselves and develop confidence in their ability to make responsible decisions, they are building a sense of self-worth or self-esteem.

Parents and teachers share the responsibility for helping children build self-confidence. A child who is confident is more successful in everyday interactions with peers and adults. Confidence in one's ability to learn new and difficult skills can affect future achievement, as well. Developing a trusting relationship with your child, establishing open communication, and recognizing personal achievements are all important. When children know they can do something well, it makes them feel special.

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