Values for a Lifetime

Education in the home is essential to ensure you child’s success in school.  A Catholic early childhood education means your young ones will learn to form good habits that are not easily changed.  In fact, children develop many language, thinking, physical, emotional and social skills between birth and age five.  Giving your children a solid base before they attend a Catholic elementary school empowers them to succeed their entire life.

How your children succeed in their Catholic pre-k and Catholic elementary school depends upon a number of factors they learn at home.  The basis of a positive school experience is good health.  Your children will be able to concentrate in class if they have a balanced diet and take part in some form of exercise.  Talk with your pediatrician to develop the best meal and exercise plan for your child.  Likely that plan will include activities that develop large muscles, such as jumping or running, along with small muscle exercise, such as coloring or zipping a jacket. 

Social and emotional education is another important aspect of your child’s interaction with you.  It takes a while to develop these skills and you can help them jump start the process at home.  Basic interactions in elementary schools require confidence to try new things, independence to succeed without a parent, motivation to learn, curiosity to go beyond a comfort zone, persistence to continue trying when something is difficult, cooperation for group tasks and empathy for others.  There are a number of ways you can coax your children to learn these skills at home, but the best place to start is by showing your child how much you care.  Try to be the best example you can be for the behaviors you hope they will learn.  While we all slip up from time to time, you can still emulate the behaviors you expect from your child.  Give them opportunities to repeat the learned behaviors and let them try things on their own when it is appropriate.  Provide your child with opportunities to spend time with children and adults that are not part of your family.  And, of course, always show a positive attitude toward learning and school. 

You can help children develop their language and general knowledge skills in a variety of ways.  Give them opportunities to play and support them as they are learning a new activity.  Talk to your child, listen when they talk to you and ask them questions.  Be very aware of their television viewing habits.  If you think your child is turning into a couch potato, start substituting television time for play or reading time.  Even if they cannot read yet, pick up a book and read to them.  Even better, you can make it a part of your daily routine.  Not only will this be quality time you get to spend with your child, you will be showing them the importance of reading and learning.

Self-control and self-discipline are good lessons to incorporate before the first days of elementary school.  If you begin these lessons early, your children will be able to practice them before the behavior is required in the classroom.  Self-control and self-discipline will help them focus, listen and learn while they are at school.