Hints To Parents

Emotional intelligence (EI), emotional leadership (EL), emotional quotient (EQ) and emotional intelligence quotient (EIQ), is the capability of individuals to recognize their own emotions and those of others, discern between different feelings and label them appropriately, use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior, and manage and/or adjust emotions to adapt to environments or achieve one’s goal(s). 

Definition by Wikipedia

Why does Shelanti Private School regard EQ as important as IQ?

EQ isn’t the enemy of IQ. It’s possible to have high levels of both. However, as humans, we are social beings and life is an inherently sociable construct. Without the ability to function well within this relational environment, it’s doubtful how far intelligence alone will get you. 

No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” EQ is, in many ways, the essence of being human.

• Theodore Roosevelt

Emotional Intelligence, and our ability to draw on it as a reserve helps us in looking after our physical and mental health and well-being, through to our ability to inspire and lead. It’s there in our ability to manage effective relationships and our armour and shield when it comes to conflict resolution. It is, in so many ways, the driver of success.

We will share conflict resolution on later articles.

EQ as a driver of success doesn’t just apply to our personal lives. It applies in the workplace also. People with average IQ’s outperform those with the highest IQs 70% of the time. Is EQ the reason? Whilst EQ and IQ aren’t enemies, it is possible to have high levels of both, is EQ a better indicator of success?  

Shelanti Private School invests in our learners’ EQ by hosting weekly emotional intelligence classes called “Shine circle” as part of the curriculum.

Our in-house counselor, Celeste Terblanche presents these classes.

Below are 5 key elements of Emotional quotient. EQ 

Celeste will share some of her lessons touching on these 5 elements in the upcoming articles. These lessons will contain some practical activities that you can do with your child at home.

It is your responsibility to create a love for reading long before your child enters a formal school environment.

Simple ways to teach your child how to read:

1. Your child should see you read
2. You must read to your child
3. Surround your child with books

If you make time for bedtime stories your child will associate reading as something special and intimate.

This will also add to their imagination, creativity and build a rich vocabulary.

Television or any other device should never take up the place of a story.

What else can you do:

• Draw your child’s attention to the words/signs that surround him/her. They will be able to recognise signs and the shape of letters i.e. McDonald’s sign before they actually start reading. This, however, will lead to an awareness of the shapes of a letter and later a word.
• Find rhymes and songs, learn and sing/ say them together.
• Play games i.e. how many words can we make that start with the letter….
• Let’s find a word that rhymes with….
• Sequencing games: say three words in order to let him/her repeat.
• Learn your telephone number.
• Talk about pictures/books or events. Encourage your child to use descriptive words and full sentences.
• Make up stories.
• Memory games: pack out three coloured blocks, give your child 3 seconds to look at the blocks, cover and ask your child to repeat the colours.
• Also: cover the blocks, take one away and then ask your child which one is missing
• You can increase the number of blocks as your child progresses
• Talk to your child!!! Ask him/her for her/his opinion on things. Ask him/her to express what they like/didn’t like.

More Reading Tips:

• Don’t let any of these activities be anything but a game.
• Don’t let reading become a bore.
• Don’t give up, keep encouraging your child.
• Remember you are not looking at a successful outcome each time, the process is more important.
• Smile.
• Show pleasure.
• Offer praise.
• Don’t fuss over errors.

At Shelanti Private Remedial School we put your child’s needs above all else. Our teachers are skilled and our classrooms are small so that we are able to give each child the individual attention they need to succeed.

Encourage your child to start learning math from early childhood. Early maths helps young children solve real-world problems with simple mathematical concepts such as addition and subtraction.

How to develop Mathematical skills

Play simple number games:

• Count objects; shirts, stairs, red cars/white cars, t-shirts/socks while putting them away
• Count the pegs as you put them in the box
• Count the buttons on your shirt.
• Count the windows.
• Count the crayons etc.
• Say number rhymes (1,2, buckle my shoe)
• Counting songs.
• Classify, sort and share objects according to color, shape, size.
• Show me 3 fingers, take one away. Later you can also use the words “less” and “more”
• Learn the days of the week, months of the year and the seasons
• Memorise your telephone number
• Walk and count backward
• Memorise number sequences: start with 3 numbers and then increase the amount of numbers as your child progresses.
• Make mathematical vocabulary part of your daily routine: early, late, morning, tomorrow, yesterday, longer, shorter.

The last word:

The emphasis should always be on having fun. Let go of the idea that your child needs to get everything correct. Enjoy the process and the time spent.

Refrain from reacting with “NO” when your child doesn’t get it correct. Remember, you also want to instill a good work ethic built on perseverance, grit, and resilience.

At Shelanti Private School we believe that good mathematical skills are important because:

• Math is good for the brain.
• It is helpful with decision making.
• Math sharpens analytical skills.
• Maths is all around us.
• Math opens many career opportunities.
• It develops logical thinking.
• It’s part of our daily lives.
• It is essential in a constantly changing world.

School can be a very overwhelming and often frustrating experience, there are certain steps that a parent can take to relieve some of the stress and make their children’s schooling experience a more enjoyable one.

Below are 10 simple tips that will help your child have a good day at school

• Be strict about a regular routine.
• A good night’s sleep is key. A grade 1 child should be in bed by 19:30, lights out at 20:00.
• Insist that your child eats a good breakfast, avoid sugary cereals and provide a protein-rich breakfast that will sustain your child for longer.
• Pack water, a decent snack and a protein-based lunch. We’ll talk more about healthy eating in my next blog.
• Pack your child’s school uniform out the night before.
• Prepare your child’s lunch box and school bag together, put this in a designated place.
• Make sure to set the alarm early enough so the mornings run smoothly and calmly.
• Make sure there is sufficient time for a goodbye hug, keep in mind that a chaotic morning will lead to a chaotic day.
• Be punctual, don’t drop your child off late for school, this models respect for others time and fosters a good work ethic.
• Model a positive attitude towards school.

It is also important to become a part of your child’s day by asking questions; this way you will know if something is bothering your child as well as highlight good parts of their day. It is also a great way of keeping communication open with your child.

How was your day questions?

These questions will avoid “OK” and “FINE” answers.

• Tell me about the best part of your day.
• What was the hardest thing you had to do today?
• Did any of your classmates do anything funny?
• Tell me about what you read in class.
• Who did you play with today? What did you play?
• Do you think maths [or any subject] is too easy or too difficult?
• What’s the biggest difference between this year and last year?
• What rules are different at school than our rules at home? Do you think they’re fair?
• Who did you sit with at lunch?
• Can you show me something you learned (or did) today?

At Shelanti Private Remedial School our main focus is to create a positive teaching environment for your children.

This week I want to focus on these two skills: Independence and Responsibility. Let’s look at the importance of independence. Why is this such a vital skill to master?

Independence Creates:

• Confidence
• A sense of self
• A “can-do” attitude

It cultivates, patience, grit, self-drive and most importantly self-trust. Without independence, your child will not develop into the unique individual they are meant to be. As younger children take on more responsibility they begin to see themselves as being capable, this, in turn, gives them the confidence to try new things.

Responsibility is as important. Let’s look at some reasons why you should raise responsible children.

Essential Elements Of Responsible Behaviour:

• Honesty
• Compassion
• Respect
• Fairness
• Accountability
• Courage

With all the attributes mentioned above, your child will be able to face whatever challenges the future brings. As we all know the future, and the challenges it brings, is uncertain. What is certain, is that your child will have to be responsible and independent to succeed.

Tips On How To Raise More Responsible And Independent Children

• Encourage your child to carry and pack their own belongings.
• Give your child responsibilities at home i.e. set the table.
• Teach them to tie their own shoelaces.
• Teach them your cell number and address.
• Give them a say in what they want to wear.
• Teach them to blow their own noses.
• Teach them to dress themselves.
• They must follow simple instructions without you repeating them.
• Allow them to make mistakes.
• Don’t intervene when things go wrong, let them figure it out.
• Ask open-ended questions.
• Create learning moments where they must make a plan or think about the solution themselves.
• Forget perfection.
• Stop and wait.
• Don’t jump to accommodate every request.

Encourage independence and responsibility by teaching young children age-appropriate tasks and problem-solving skills. When they exhibit responsible behavior reward them by telling them they have done a great job. This will make them feel good and motivate them to continue learning a sense of responsibility.

At Shelanti we form an instrumental part in helping pupils through this process, providing a nurturing and supportive environment and fostering these qualities as part of our core values.

Hints to parents

The transition from preschool to grade 1 is an exciting time for your children, however, this can also be a very frightening time as they leave behind the comfort of a home-like atmosphere for a more structured environment. In the first year of “big school,” your child will attain vast amounts of knowledge in a short period of time that will lay the foundation of their learning experience and ultimately shape your child’s future.

There are certain steps you can take to prepare your preschooler for the year ahead, we have taken some time to put together a list of tips and tricks to assist with this process.

Comments you should avoid prior to the first year of school

• “Wait until you get to Grade 1.”
• “They will sort you out next year when you go to a big school.”

These comments are unfavorable as they may cause unnecessary anxiety and hinder your child’s excitement for the year ahead. 

Remind your child of the following

• He/she might not have the same amount of free playtime. 
• The school day will be a little longer.
• He/she will learn new and exciting things.
• He/she will wear a formal uniform. (Let them wear their uniform at home to get used to the feeling.)
• Shoes and socks can only be taken off at special times.
• Show your child how to put their socks inside their shoes.
• He/she can only eat at certain times of the day.
• He/she should inform the teacher when needing the bathroom. 

It is of utmost importance to have clear communication with your children to prepare them for all the changes to come and alleviate the fear of the unknown. Encourage your child to ask questions and answer these questions in a clear and precise way.

Tips on curbing your child’s anxiety

• If your child can’t tie shoelaces, due to e.g. poor motor planning, buy shoes with Velcro fasteners. Remember to inform the teacher of this.
• Practice unbuttoning their pants/trousers. It will make bathroom visits easier.
• Practice packing and unpacking the school bag.
• Show them where the special pocket is where money/medication/notes will be packed. Always put this in an envelope. NEVER give it in their hands.
• Let him/her assist when packing lunchboxes. 
• Pack water.
• Find out which extra-curricular activities the school offers. Encourage your child to commit to one activity. Let your child see it through for the term.
• Do not cry when greeting your child.
• The greeting should be kind but firm. Do not linger.
• Ensure that all your child’s belongings are clearly marked.
• Label your child’s bag clearly- with your telephone number clearly visible.
• There should be a designated time at which you pack your child’s bag and lunch with them assisting.
• Put school uniform out the night before.
• Have a morning schedule clearly visible in your child’s room. Take actual photos of your child doing the morning routine e.g. brushing teeth, getting dressed, breakfast, etc.

One of the major changes in this transition is the increase of responsibility and expectations. The role the parents take is to support, guide, discuss, plan, and encourage positive engagement.

Tips to avoid chaotic mornings that will negatively influence your child’s day

• Keep to a strict routine.
• Encourage him/her to take responsibility for his/her belongings, e.g. pack toys away after using them.
• No screen time at least an hour before bed.
• Be prompt and punctual. This is a vital life skill they will learn by your example.

Ultimately first grade will be challenging both on kids and parents alike, you will grow into the new routine and make a few mistakes along the way and that’s okay. At Shelanti Private School we are here to assist every step of the way, our teachers are excited to start the first year journey with you and your child. Request a tour today and see why Shelanti is one of the top private remedial schools in the Western Cape.