Focus on Education and Communication
In this Edition…
- A message from GLO
- Family Values
- Actions
- Education Starts in the Home
- Tips to Stay Safe
- Hand Washing for Children Video Link
- Resources for Families and Caregivers
- Words of Wisdom
- Contact GLO (information on services)
- The Book
A Message from GLO…
I have been thinking about my Generating Learning Opportunity during this challenging, uncertain Coronavirus (COVID-19) season. Please share this edition with your business associates, family, and friends because we are all in this together .
This small virus has affected every man, woman, and child mandating that all non-essential people stay home reducing social gatherings to small groupings. Thousands of schools, restaurants (except takeout), businesses, bars, cinemas, resorts, and gyms have closed to protect the safety of others. This communication came very direct and without hesitation from Amy Acton, MD, MPH, Director of Health for the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). She summed up her position by saying, “This is not a drill.”
This time of closeness at home is an excellent time to stress the importance of communication with your family and friends. Someone may be saying, “I don’t have any children”, but there is a role in child development for everyone. Take action in the life of your child, younger brother, sister, niece, nephew, cousin, mentee, or someone else.
All communication to children must be clear and precise, because following instructions is critical during these uncertain times. This COVID-19 break in our routine is an excellent time to review your family values and actions with your child, especially since they are not being monitored daily in the classroom. I believe that we will not return to the same education system experienced last month because we thrust into a new normal, which will demonstrate education truly begins in the home and communication is a vital component.
Review your family values and actions in the list below to confirm that it supports academic achievement that can lead to success.
FAMILY VALUES Lead to Academic Achievement
Can you identify these characteristics in your children?
Respect
Dependability
Responsibility
Self-Sufficiency
Assertiveness
Strong Work Ethic
ACTIONS That Support Academic Achievement
Where can you take actions that contribute to a higher level of academic success?
Love
Open Communication
High Expectations
Parental Involvement
Daily Homework
Education Starts in the Home
- Students should have a designated regular place to study in your home.
- Students should follow a study schedule.
- Did you know cooking is science, mathematics, and culinary art?
Let’s focus on the critical skill of communication. When it came to education, our Mom kept the lines of communication open about school as she questioned us in detail about our day. Take this opportunity to talk with your child about their schoolwork, which will help them to practice their communication techniques. Ask age-appropriate open-ended questions and be patient for them to answer. Observe your child’s confidence level in the reply given to determine if extra help is necessary.
We must meet our children where they are, focus on their strengths, stay connected, keep communication open (even if it is one-sided), love them, be patient, and wait until the storm passes. Remember, do not expect children to be faultless, or else they would not need parents.
All communication should be nonjudgmental and should strive to develop the best relationship possible with the child. Communicating is like playing pitch and catch—one minute you are delivering (throwing) a message, and the next minute you are receiving (catching) a message in return. The results depend on how well both players can catch and throw. Small children are just learning how to catch and throw new information, which means that to be a winner, they will need your coaching at home, with family, friends, and at school.
Open communication actions that lead to academic achievement require clear ground rules for chats, meetings, and group decisions. Make messages simple so that children can catch only a little at a time.
I know you are the adult, but be polite; say please, thank you, pardon me, and excuse me. The child today could be your caregiver tomorrow. Be the example a child will follow.
Excerpts from the book “GENERATING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Family Values with Actions That Lead to Academic Achievement”
TIPS to STAY SAFE
The CDC and other healthcare professionals have suggested advice to save our lives:
- Stay home if you’re sick
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, often.
- Sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve to prevent germs.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Practice social distancing: avoiding large public gathering venues, adhering to spacing requirements in the workplace
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS
Action for Children
Ohio Department of Health http://coronavirus.ohio.gov/
Center for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/
Ohio Health OrganizationCoping with stress during the COVID-19 outbreak
Nothing is more important than the safety of our families and communities. It is important not to panic during this Coronavirus COVID-19 season but use wisdom, consider others, and keep your faith strong.
Words of Wisdom
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
