Show teacher is practical psychologist 9 volunteers pointers to parents by J C haw district superintendent Superintend ont it if you are often baffled by your childs behavior there la is a practical psychologist as an close to you as your childs school it is his teacher the average elementary teacher during a 30 year career will live with work with and love more than 1000 children how many parents cart can claim that amount of experience peri ence even before they start their teaching careers teachers receive extensive training in child psychology they learn to recognize the dangers signals of potential delinquency they learn that a reading difficulty may be the result of an emotional problem and how to recognize a gifted child hiding filding behind a smoke screen of apathy they learn what characteristics acte a child reveals at different age levels from their extensive knowledge of children a combination of their practical experience and broad training americas teachers through the national education association offer the following practical Ucal pointers to parents if you have a 2 to 5 year old TEACHERS CAN usually spot those youngsters who have had a few opportunities to play with children their own age pre who play with other children be fore school starts adjust more quickly to school life if your child has had few chances to play with others invite chil dren to your home or take him to parks and playgrounds if your child Is accustomed to being away from home and mother he will find it much easier to adjust to school kindergarten and first grade teachers suggest that you leave him with friends or rel atiles occasionally before school starts for several hours a whole day or overnight leaving home to go to school will come as a pleasant experience rather than a psychological shock if you have a 6 to 10 year old TEACHERS KNOW that parents can increase their childs child s mental alertness during the early elementary school years you can do this by exposing your child to a rich variety of family activities take him on trips to childrens plays and concerts expose him to good art surround him ith many books and magazines do not compare his behag lor or school work with that of his classmates or his brothers and sisters children develop at different rates of speed each has his own rate of growth and maturity your child may be a slow developer look for ways to help and encourage him if you have an I 1 11 I 1 to 17 year old STUDENTS IN junior high school want to know the I 1 why of what they are learning teachers advise parents to encourage family discussions on a variety of topics and to make a point of tracking down the facts behind general statements your youngsters will enjoy airing his opinions and he will be learning to think critically and to check the facts teenagers often discuss their life plans with teachers and friends rather than with parents dont feel left out resentful if this happens to you visit your young youngsters teachers counselors and find out how you can help him make these important decisions turning to outsiders for advice la Is normal at these ages |