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Show SchooLrs. and ' Home J Dr. Daryl J. McCarty Executive Secretary Utah Education Association 'What did you learn in school today?' When he was a kid, Tom Cunningham could count on being hit with an overwhelming question the moment he walked into his house after a day at school. "What did you learn in school today?" Mom would ask. Sometimes it stopped Tom cold. Invariably, he was study weary. After all those hours in the classroom, he didn't want to think about school for a while. But there was Mom, demanding to know what he'd learned. Sometimes, young Tom Cunningham would have to think for a while. But his Mom would patiently wait until he'd satisfied her that he had learned something that day. Good question, Mrs. Cunningham! It did several things for your son. First, it make him know that you had a deep and unabating interest in your son's progress. Second, that question made it absolutely ab-solutely plain to Tom that he was expected ex-pected to learn when he went to school. Third, it gave Tom the opportunity to chat with you about concepts that he was not learning trouble areas that could give you signals for helping Tom or seeking help from his teacher. Fourth, Mrs. Cunningham, your question told Tom that he was expected to retain the things he learned at school. Fifth, asking that loaded question opened some long, deep conversations with Tom the kinds of conversations that too many young people don't have with their parents these days. What did you learn in school today? . Tom Cunningham never forgot that question. After a successful school career, he accomplished a lot in business. Still, he always took the time to ask that question to each one of his children every school day. He says asking that question is one of the best ways a parent can help a child do well in school. Maybe every parent should ask each child: "What did you learn in school today?" ' |