Stop Babying Kids!!!

Okay, so I get that there's not always a clear line on when to help your child and when NOT to help your child.  Every kid is different and will need various supports throughout his/her lifetime.  So, it's true.  You kind of have to play by ear.

For example, if I had a student who is great at getting things done, but tends to rush because she doesn't read directions carefully, I will simply grade the work accordingly, give it back to shock her, and then talk about what she did wrong before I give her a chance to redo the assignment (usually for the first few assignments only).  This mini lesson is usually enough to get her thinking/double checking the rubric the next time.  However, if I had a student who consistently does not receive support at home and struggles with prioritizing, I know she may not even turn in the assignment, so my lesson on "checking the rubric" after the fact will do no good.  Instead, I may even help break down the assignment with the child as in this post.  That way, I am addressing the rubric and supporting the child through the process.

I came across this poster on Pinterest, which I think I will use for next year as tips/advice for families trying to help their children at home.

Here is the printable version that I found on this site.

Here is another poster I like that I found here.

When I originally saw this, I wanted to change "stuff" to another s word...

I am, by no means, a parenting expert.  However, I feel that being too much of a helicopter parent is debilitating kids and affecting their perseverance, confidence, and independence.  I really hope that I don't get this way.  I know children are going to pull at your heart strings and you want to help them so they don't make mistakes, BUT the more they learn as a child (when consequences for mistakes are small) will ultimately help them when they are older and on their own (when consequences for mistakes can be life changing).

I think these posters get to me because there are times I feel like I deal with parents more than the kids, even when I encourage the following all year:

• Students should email me if they have a question, even if it's through parent's email
• Please ask the child first regarding what their HW is or why they did poorly on a test.  They usually know.
• Students should check the class website for HW & other announcements; or do it together - don't just do it for them
• Question how they are organizing their materials and where items should go, not do it for them
• If you don't understand how to help your child with HW (math for instance), have them make a note to ask me in class the next day

Some basic things that I find quite sad when kids can't do them independently are:

• Label & number paper (I know this is actually a fault of many teachers also, when we pre-print things for them.)  By 5th grade, they are pretty capable of, let's say, labeling their own spelling paper and not needing copy paper with lines or a pre-numbered list.  Even primary kids can number their paper to 5 or 10... which is good practice for them anyway.
• Staple papers properly (with holes on the left)!!!  This one bugs me.  
• Tie their own shoe (by 5th grade) - I have now had to teach this to two kids and they GOT IT!  They just needed someone to show them.

My ultimate goal is that students gain some independent life skills that they can use in the future.  Whether it's in junior high, college, careers, or just managing a family, they will need to learn how to problem solve, be independent, and take care of business.