familyliving GULFCOAST
education 2021
www.floridafamilyliving.com
HELPING WITH
? k r o w e hom • Healthy Relationships with Technology • Trust Your Mommy-Gut Instincts ... and more!
plus! HOLIDAY COOKIE RECIPE!
t c e f per
FINDING THE
SCHOOL
familyliving GULFCOAST
Edition 2021 - Issue 4
HEALTH AND DENTAL INSURANCE
PUBLISHER & SALES Elizabeth Winkle
Self-Care with Florida KidCare
elizabeth@floridafamilyliving.com 941.922.5437 941.323.2013 CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kids have access to important mental health services under the many benefits covered by Florida KidCare. A strong, healthy mind is key to a child’s development and Florida KidCare is here to help families navigate challenges with mental health.
Nieves Jenkins creative@floridafamilyliving.com
CONTRIBUTORS Tanni Haas Dr. Maribel Santos-Cordero Ethan Weiss Sarasota Christian School
PHOTOGRAPHY Adobe Stock Freepik CORPORATE OFFICE 4851 Hoyer Dr Sarasota, FL 34241 PHONE: 941.922.5437 EMAIL: creative@floridafamilyliving.com WEBSITE: www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
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Florida Family Living Magazine is published four times per year. It is distributed free of charge throughout Sarasota, Manatee & Charlotte Counties. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. Florida Family Living Magazine is not responsible for statements made by advertisers or writers. All photography and letters sent to Florida Family Living Magazine will be treated unconditionally, assigned for publication and copyright purposes, and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. Copyright 2021. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
GIVE THE GIFT OF DANCE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
The Sarasota Ballet School offers a quality dance education for children ages 3 and above. Dance with us and be joyful not only this holiday season but all year round!
Join Us Today - Spaces Still Available! 941.225.6525 Education@sarasotaballet.org SarasotaBallet.org/Education
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4
ISSUE
CONTENTS education edition
06
08
parenting
health
10
education
12
recipe
Healthy Relationship with Technology
Trust Your Mommy-Gut Instincts
Helping with Homework?
Holiday Cookies
Helping when you can and where
Fun recipe you can make and
Developing healthy digital
Babies may struggle with breastfeeding
appropriate is important, but it is even
decorate with your family.
relationships and working with our
for many reasons. If the struggle
more important that you stay within
kids to think about their relationship
relates to an inability to extract the
the proper bounds of involvement.
to technology is now as critical to
milk, positioning or milk letdown, an
Children benefit the most when
successfully navigating our culture as
evaluation by a lactation consultant
parents support them in their own
teaching them to brush their teeth.
may be all you need to reassess.
efforts to do the homework.
IN EVERY ISSUE
EDUCATION
18
16
Education Directory
HEALTH
6
Healthy Relationships with Technology Does your child have a healthy relationship with technology? By Ethan Weiss, M.S., LCSW
8
Trust Your Mommy-Gut Instincts
Take a walk with Dr. Santos, as she takes you through her experience with her son’s Tongue-tie. By Dr. Maribel Santos-Cordero
PARENTING
10
Helping with Homework?
Should you help, Or let them figure it out for themselves? The answer might surprise you. Sponsored by Sarasota Christian School
Choosing the Right School
What school is best for your child’s lifestyle. By Tanni Haas
FAMILY RECIPE
12
Holiday Cookies
Publisher’s Favorite holiday cookie recipe! Fun for the whole family. By Elizabeth Winkle
HAPPENINGS
Special Section 1 4 Sarasota County Schools 1 5 Manatee County Schools 2 0 - 2 1 New Gate School 2 2 Kid Potential Florida 2 3 Brickhouse Academy 2 4 Sarasota Christian School 2 5 St. Martha Catholic School 2 6 Out-of-Door Academy
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Calendar of Events What to Do in December and January?
Need inspiration for activities in December 2021 and January 2022? Check out our Calendar of Events section!
www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
5
health [sponsored by]
HI
HEALTHY with
Watching my son eyeing a piece of candy when he thinks no one’s watching is a masterclass in human nature. He closes one eye, his tongue pokes out from the corner of his mouth, his hand walks itself carefully across the table on tiny, pudgy fingers. Then he pauses...looks over his shoulder...looks back...licks his lips…then, quickly, he snatches it and shoves it in his mouth. True, he’s 4—but that struggle against immediate gratification never really goes away. That’s especially true in these times, with the world literally at our fingertips. Developing healthy digital relationships and working with our kids to think about their relationship
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GULFCOAST FAMILY LIVING
to technology is now as critical to successfully navigating our culture as teaching them to brush their teeth. Unfortunately, pairing instant communication and access to nearly endless amounts of mindless content with the developing prefrontal cortex (the wrinkly gray bit in the brain that deals with impulse control and critical thinking) is a recipe for absolute disaster.
1 OUT OF 5
One out of five teens reports that they have electronically sent or posted nude or seminude pictures or videos of themselves online, according to a recent survey from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Anyone’s stomach would drop thinking
90 TO 95% about this statistic and the fact that an estimated 90 to 95% of school
kids carry cell phones. Additionally,
21%
the National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that nationwide, about 21% of students ages 12-18 experienced bullying, which can lead to risky behaviors, become the reaction to them, or usually both. This issue feels overwhelming. It can be difficult to enforce digital boundaries with our kids, but as the saying goes: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. It is possible for kids to improve their relationships with technology. Keep reading for some techniques to help.
BE DIRECT, OPEN, AND HONEST
Kids should know where their parents stand on technology usage and what it means to have a healthy relationship with technology by the time they get their first device. Use personal stories of your own experiences or actual incidences where technology did more harm than good that your youth can relate to. VALIDATE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE REALITY OF THE CHALLENGE
Technology can be a double-edged sword—It allows us to stay connected and participate with our community and peers, but it can also be dangerous if not used wisely. Your teen will want to feel connected with their friends, so they may not appreciate the boundaries and they may find them unfair. Remember to validate and acknowledge their reality. Technology ground rules may seem difficult at first and take some time to get used to, but they will be beneficial in the long run.
agree with those limits, or feel a certain way, which can lead to a lot of disappointment and frustration. If, on the other hand, we make our objective “I will state my values and expectations clearly and succinctly with compassion, respect, and love, and I will create clear boundaries that best set my kid up for success”—then we can still maintain parental control and we can step out of the interaction with a sense of accomplishment and effectiveness. KEEP YOUR QUESTIONS OPEN-ENDED
Never underestimate the power of the open-ended question (“What do you think?” “How should they have handled it?” “How do you think you would feel in that situation”) and always respect that all kids have different tolerance levels for big, important conversations. Some will be up for an hour of intense talk, others will be ready for one question or a comment a month. That’s why starting early is so helpful: it offers us a lot of runway. CLARIFY THE CONSEQUENCES OF CERTAIN DIGITAL BEHAVIORS
ESTABLISH GROUND RULES
Establish limits, parental controls, and systems that uphold your family values and that you can maintain even if your kid doesn’t agree. A big challenge we as parents face is wanting our kids to “get it” and understand why we have to limit the freedom they have at different developmental stages. We don’t want to fall into the trap of only setting limits if our kids
Rather than “we need to talk about how sending or receiving naked pictures of someone underage is a felony”, try: “I just heard this thing on the news/from a friend/read about on the back of a cereal box…did you know that if a person…blah blah blah…isn’t that nuts? Do you think most people in your grade know that?” By doing this, you align yourself with your kid (“we’re on the same team”) and avoid some of the resistance that crops up when they feel like they’re being lectured. Also, it’s refreshing to hear an authority figure admit they just learned something new or that they
didn’t know something. It’s humanizing, which is important for them to see. MODEL THIS IN OUR OWN LIVES
This is your chance to tell stories about how we passed along something we thought was true because we didn’t check and then found out it was misinformation. Or how we put something in a text we thought was funny but it was taken out of context or misunderstood and led to negative consequences. Or how an impulsive email was sent at work that led to a teammate losing out on an opportunity. Be honest about your technology usage, and how adults struggle to manage their phone time if they don’t learn boundaries. BOTTOM LINE
As parents, it’s important for us to validate our child’s experiences and set ourselves up for success in teaching them. Recognize that a kid’s temperament can have a significant impact on the way they communicate with you and with the world, but it’s important to have these conversations that lead to developing a healthy relationship with technology early in life. !
Ethan Weiss, M.S., LCSW Herrera Psychology (813) 395-9049 info@herrerapsychology.com www.herrerapsychology.com
www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
7
health [sponsored by]
trust your
DENTAL INJURIES
By Maribel Santos-Cordero, DMD, Dentistry for Children & Adolescents
God blessed me with the opportunity to be a mom and I am proud of the men they have become. It was not always easy but with love and determination we got through childhood and the teenage years. But that’s not what this story is about so I’ll go back to where it all started. I was very determined to breastfeed my babies. I wanted to bond with them, to be able to provide them with nutrition and immunologic protection. Being a pediatric dentist, I also knew that breastfeeding encourages ideal growth and development of a child’s head, face, and jaws.
The first time around... ...I didn’t know what I was doing but no manual was needed to breastfeed. It just happened naturally, as it should be. The second time, I knew instinctively that something was different, perhaps something was wrong. My baby was having trouble latching. He literally fought with fists and head every single time I fed him. I had to constantly wake him up because he was exhausted after sucking just for a few seconds 8
GULFCOAST FAMILY LIVING
at a time. Milk leaking, clenching, detaching… feeding sessions took forever. I was in so much pain; tears would often run down my cheeks. As crazy as this may sound, I don’t remember my labor pain as much as I remember breastfeeding pain. It took a lot of will power to get through those first four months. He didn’t fail to thrive in part because I made it my exclusive job to feed him. Words can’t express how much I appreciate my husband and mom for taking on the rest of the load.
I wish I could end... ...this part of the story reporting a successful resolution but that was not the case. Eventually, breastfeeding was not sustainable, and I gave it up. My son struggled with the bottle too. For a good portion of his first year, my baby was constantly placed on medication to treat his horrible gas and reflux. He could only sleep for a few hours at a time and seemed unhappy after each feeding session. I reached out for help; we tried many things. No one seemed to pinpoint what the problem was, including me
If I would have known then, what I know now… My son had a very tight upper lip-tie. Back then, there was not enough
research to see the negative impact this would have on breastfeeding. I was trained to look at tongue-ties and that didn’t seem to be the problem. Incredible to think that all this trouble was because of a very thick restrictive piece of tissue! As he got older and more rambunctious, he fell on his face, and we had this restriction resolved with a “frenectomy by trauma”.
Lip, cheeks, and tongue ties... ...are a normal part of the mouth anatomy. When too short or not flexible enough, they are called tethered-oraltissues and may interfere with proper breastfeeding. Symptoms associated with this may include: Weak latch-detaching easily Incomplete nursing-long frequent feedings Fatigue–baby falls asleep Gas pain, arching back, hiccups requent reflux, spit ups & F vomiting
need to reassess. If it’s related to your baby’s body posture, a chiropractor, or a physical therapist with experience in treating babies will provide your baby with proper alignment to improve. Occasionally, the struggle stems from tethered-oral-tissues. A pediatric dentist or an ENT with proper training in evaluating how these restrictions may affect ideal breastfeeding function will be able to determine if a fast & simple laser surgery can help. Some babies who struggle with many of these issues need a team approach to bring them back to optimal health.
I used to look back to these... ...early days and feel guilty for having to give up breastfeeding early. After intense training and many years of treating tethered-oral-tissues, I now realize that my eyes couldn’t see what my brain was not trained to look for. Now that my eyes are open, I have made it my mission to help other families avoid these struggles and see their babies thrive. !
Fighting at the breast Clicking noises Milk leaking Chewing on the nipple Lip blisters Poor weight gain Raw, blistered, bleeding nipples Babies may struggle with breastfeeding for many reasons which really emphasizes the importance of assessing where the issue lies. If the struggle relates to an inability to extract the milk, positioning or milk letdown, an evaluation by a lactation consultant or an IBCLC may be all you
Dr. Maribel Santos-Cordero is a board-certified & laser certified pediatric dentist in Lakewood Ranch dedicated to the oral health of children, adolescents, and children with special needs. She believes in helping children achieve their full potential by providing all the necessary tools to guide their growth and development. You can visit www.sarasotatonguetie.com to learn more about her practice or call 941-907-7762.
www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
9
parenting [sponsored by]
helping with
HOMEWORK?
Here is a scenario most parents can relate to: it’s late afternoon and your children come home from school exhausted, weighed down like turtles by school bags full of homework. What do you do: 1) insist they do their homework or cut them some slack, and 2) sit down to help them with it, or encourage them to do it on their own? The answer to the first question is a resounding “Yes! Make sure that your children do their homework.” The best available evidence shows that the more conscientious children are about doing their homework, the better they do academically. They retain more factual information, understand the material better, and even get higher grades. More generally, research shows that by doing their homework on a consistent
basis, children develop good study habits and skills, learn how to plan and manage their time, and become selfdirected and self-disciplined. The answer to the second question is “It depends.” In the most comprehensive summary of the scientific literature to date, researchers from Duke University concluded that whether or not parents should help their children with their homework depends on: 1) the grade level of the children, 2) how knowledgeable parents are about the subject matter of the homework, and 3) how parents go about helping their children with it. Before you sit down with your children to help them with their
homework, you should consider their age. Sounds cryptic? Surprising as it may seem, researchers have consistently found that homework assistance is beneficial for children in elementary and high school, only not for middle-school-aged children. So if your children are in middle school, you are better off letting them do their homework on their own. Why? Researchers believe that parental assistance with homework for children in elementary school helps because they are young and impressionable, and your help is about more than just completing the homework: you are also teaching them how to study in the first place. Erica Patall, the lead author of the research summary, says “Homework is an especially good opportunity for parents to help young kids develop self-regulatory skills, by modeling study strategies and helping students set goals and make plans for completing homework.” Also, since their homework is still simple and straightforward, as a parent you are unlikely to make any mistakes when you help out. The situation is quite different when it comes to high-school-aged students. Here, researchers speculate that your involvement adds value because you are only likely to help out when you have particular expertise to share. When you know little or nothing about
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GULFCOAST FAMILY LIVING
the subject matter of their homework, you are more likely to let your children do it on their own. As Judith Locke, a clinical psychologist at Queensland University of Technology in Australia succinctly puts it, “Parental assistance with homework should slowly reduce as a child gets older.” Why, then, would it be detrimental for you to sit down with your middleschoolers to help them out with their homework? Here, researchers think that the issue is their specific developmental stage. As budding teenagers caught between childhood and adulthood, middle-school-aged children have a strong need for autonomy and are likely to resist any effort on your part to interfere in their affairs. As Erika Patall says, “It’s probably because it’s a time when kids are trying to be independent …. Even if a parent is effective at helping a child develop skills, there’s a psychological barrier.” As the father of a 14-year-old son who is about to enter high school, I recognize these behaviors from my own experiences. When my son was in elementary school, he absolutely loved when we did his homework together; it was a great occasion for father-son bonding. Over time, he developed some impressive study habits and skills that have served him well in middle school, and which I hope will continue
in high school. Although we still share many great moments together, it is safe to say that they rarely involve his homework. In middle school he has undergone a noticeable change; now, he wants to take care of everything himself, especially his homework. Any interference by me or my wife is generally met with indifference or outright opposition, and is definitely unsolicited and unwanted. Before deciding whether or not to help your children with their homework, you should also consider whether or not you are qualified to do so. Researchers have discovered that the more parents know about the
subject matter, the more children learn from getting help with it. This makes intuitive sense. You may even teach your children how to use different ways to accomplish certain tasks. However, when you know little or nothing about the topic, your children are likely to get frustrated by your inability to help out, and you might even make mistakes in their homework. Researchers have found that, in general, parents are better able to help their children with reading and writing than with math homework. They attribute that to the fact that when it comes to reading and writing, most parents are simply better at it. The opposite is the case with respect to math. Here, parents often know less, are less up-to-date with the latest instructional strategies, and a parent’s old instructional strategies often conflict with those contemporary methods taught at school. I experience this with my son. While he has always been very receptive to my suggestions when I have helped him edit his book reviews, essays, and other types of writing, I cannot count how many times our math homework sessions have ended with him saying in frustration “That’s not how the teacher explained it in class. It’s not how we continued on page 31 www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
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family recipe
Holiday
COOKIES
With the holidays around the corner, here is a fun recipe that you can make and decorate with your family. Pro-Tip: Use different extracts for different flavors. (butter, peppermint, etc.)
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
ients:
Ingred 1
d
le ter, chil
ed but c unsalt bed
• Add the egg, vanilla, baking powder, and salt, and mix until combined and smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
and cu
sugar ulated n a r g c 1 1 egg
xtract anilla e v p s t 1 1/2 act nd extr o lm a 1/2 tsp der ing pow k a b p 1 1/2 ts 1/2 tsp
salt rpose fl
pu 3 c all-
• Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
our
• Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour, only mixing until the dough just comes together. Give it a final mix with a rubber spatula, folding and pressing it together, to ensure all of the flour is mixed in. • Separate the dough in half and work with one piece at a time, roll the dough ¼-inch thick. Cut out shapes as desired and place them on a baking sheet, leaving at least 1 inch of space between cookies. • Bake until the cookies look set and are slightly firm to the touch but still pale, about 10 to 12 minutes. Check on them on the 8 minute mark if you are doing smaller cut out cookies • Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. • Once cooled completely decorate with your favorite royal icing or butter cream.
12
GULFCOAST FAMILY LIVING
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
mini horse camp Dec 22 - 24 FULL WEEK CAMP Dec 27 - 31 & Jan 3-7 spring break camp March 14 - 19
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 941.322.2000 OR LOG ON TO SMARTRIDERS.ORG www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
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941-361-6440
PUBLIC | SCHOOLS
www.sarasotacountyschools.net *stats are subject to change
Sarasota County is 1 of only 3 “A” Districts in Florida!
SARASOTA | VENICE
SARASOTA County Schools 52 Schools • 5,000 Employees • 43,000 Students ASHTON ELEMENTARY
SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY
LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY
Ashton Elementary is proud to represent the schools in Sarasota County and across Florida as a “State Recognized Model School” as noted by the Florida School Report, as well as a 5 Star, “A” rated school of Academic Excellence for students and teaching.
On September 14, 1984, Southside Elementary School was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Southside is considered a Grade “A” school and is known for their outstanding arts programs.
941-361-6440
TATUM RIDGE ELEMENTARY
Lakeview Elementary School receives a rating of 9, which is significantly higher than the average rating of 6 for elementary schools in Florida. The average number of students for elementary schools in Florida is 618, so Lakeview Elementary School at 600 is average-sized. The student to teacher ratio is 15:1, which is slightly lower than the Florida average.
5110 Ashton Rd | Sarasota, FL
941-361-6420
1901 Webber St | Sarasota, FL
Tatum Ridge Elementary continues
PHILLIPPI SHORES ELEMENTARY to maintain it’s excellence as they Phillippi Shores is the only elementary school in Sarasota County that offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP). The program strives to develop internationally minded students who demonstrate the attributes of the learner profile.
were once again rated an “A” school in the state of Florida. Their students performed exceptionally high in all academic areas!
7299 Proctor Rd | Sarasota, FL
(941) 316-8188
4100 Tatum Rd | Sarasota, FL
941-361-6424
4747 S. Tamiami | Sarasota, FL
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941-361-6571
GULFCOAST FAMILY LIVING | SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
941-361-6440 www.sarasotacountyschools.net
941-708-8770 www.manateeschools.net *stats are subject to change
Braden River Elementary Students
PALMETTO | BRADENTON | LAKEWOOD RANCH
MANATEE County Schools Inspiring our Students to Learn, Dream and Achieve. Achieve. ROBERT WILLIS ELEMENTARY Their vision is to provide students with the opportunity to explore the world through reasoning strategies and activities that allow students to use a variety of resources including books, media resources, the internet, and technology tools. A commitment to excellence has propelled them to another “A” Rating!
941-316-8245
14705 The Masters Ave, Bradenton, FL
BRADEN RIVER ELEMENTARY Braden River Elementary attains exceptional academic achievement from their students by providing a safe, positive, and highly engaging learning environment. They differentiate instruction, foster critical thinking skills, and the school
community functions as a lifelong team of learners.
941-751-7012 6125 River Club Blvd | Bradenton, FL
B.D. GULLET ELEMENTARY Test scores at this school are above the state average and are achieving even more academic progress than last year! Strong progress with high test scores means students have strong academic skills and the school is a doing an even better job at supporting academic growth than most other schools.
MCNEAL ELEMENTARY Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School is an above average, public school located in Lakewood Ranch, FL. It has 769 students in grades PK, K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. The school upholds higher expectations for their students and will support them by believing in their ability to master what first appears difficult.
941-751-8165
6325 Lorraine Rd | Bradenton, FL
941-727-2067
12125 44th Ave E. | Bradenton, FL
941-708-8770 www.manateeschools.net www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
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education
CHOOSING THE
right
Boarding Schools Charter Schools
Boarding Schools Boarding Schools Boarding schools are private schools Charter Schools where students live and learn together on a campus. You can send your kids Distance-Learning to a boarding school from Schools kindergarten right up through high school, or for a single school year. They District-Zoned attract kids from across the globe, have Schools high academic standards, offer lots of extra-curricular activities, foster close Language Immersion relationships between teachers and students, andSchools are great if you want your kid to develop their Magnet Schools independence and become Boarding Schools more mature.
Montessori Schools Charter Schools Parochial Charter schools are a Schools specific kind of Distance-Learning public schools. Like regular public Special Education schools, they Schools receive public funding. Schools However, they’re independently District-Zoned operated and have more autonomy Waldorf Schools Schools than most public schools when it
comes to curriculum and instruction. Language They tend to have aImmersion specific Schools educational focus like performing arts or math and science. Students are Magnet Schools often selected through a lottery rather than on their academic merit or other Montessori Schools factors like demographics. 16
Parochial Schools GULFCOAST FAMILY LIVING
Distance-Learning Schools
Charter Schools
District-Zoned Schools
Distance-Learning Schools
Language Immersion Schools Boarding Schools
Distance-learning schools, also known District-Zoned as online or virtual schools, are schools Schools where students receive instruction from home, similar to what’s happening Language Immersion during the pandemic but on a Schools permanent basis. They can be public or Boarding Schools private, and they often abide by the Magnet Schools same educational and Charterregulations Schools standards as brick-and-mortar schools. Montessori Schools Parents often choose distance-learning Distance-Learning schools because they like their Schools Parochial Schools convenience and flexibility.
Language immersion schools are Schools privateMagnet and public schools in which all Charter Schools or most of the instruction is delivered in aMontessori language other thanSchools English. The Distance-Learning teachers are often fluent in two or more Schools Parochial Schools languages. The educational programs are typicallyDistrict-Zoned designed for students whose Special Education native language is English, and they’re Schools great if you want your kids to become fluent in another language. Common Language WaldorfImmersion Schools languages of instruction include Chinese, Schools French, Japanese, and Spanish.
District-Zoned Special Education Schools Schools
Magnet Schools
District-zoned schools, or Language WaldorfImmersion Schools neighborhood schools as they’re also Schools known, are the formal name of the regular public schools in your area. Schools These Magnet are publicly funded, follow state guidelines for curriculum and Montessori Schools instruction, and are open to all kids living within their catchment area (or Parochial Schools zone). Most parents send their kids to district-zoned schools because they’re Special Education conveniently located and their kids Schools are virtually guaranteed to have their neighborhood friends as classmates.
Waldorf Schools
Magnet schools are public schools that Montessori Schools are open to kids from multiple districts. Schools Like Parochial charter schools, they operate alongside regular public schools, have Special Education a particular educational focus, and their instruction often emphasizes handsSchools on learning. Unlike charter schools, Waldorf Schools however, magnet schools don’t admit students via a lottery but instead try to promote a diverse student body in terms of demographics, while at the same time factoring in the academic merit of students.
Magnet Schools Boarding Schools Montessori Schools Charter Schools Montessori schoolsSchools are private Parochial schools that follow the educational Distance-Learning philosophy of theEducation Italian physician Special Schools Maria Montessori who promoted a Schools child-centered approach that includes District-Zoned lots ofWaldorf hands-on exploration. Instead Schools Schools of a one-size-fits-all curriculum, Montessori schools appeal to each Language individual student’sImmersion interests and Schools abilities. Another feature that Boarding Schools distinguishes Montessori schools from Magnet Schools traditional schools is that teachers stay Charter with the same groupSchools of students for Montessori Schools several years.
Distance-Learning Parochial Schools Schools
Parochial schools are private Christian Special Education District-Zoned schools that operate under the Schools Schools auspices of local parish churches (hence the name). Parochial schools WaldorfImmersion Schools Language teach regular academic subjects like language arts,Schools math, science, and social studies in addition to offering Magnet religious instructionSchools and prayer services. Parents often choose a Montessori Schools parochial school because they want their kids’ education to be grounded in Parochial Schools particular religious values.
Language Immersion Schools can include communicative, physical, Magnet Schools and social learning differences Schools likeMontessori ADHD, autism, and hearing impairment. Teachers are educated to Schools meetParochial the specialized learning needs of students. They often have an extensive Special Education support staff of guidance counselors, psychologists,Schools and social workers.
Waldorf Schools Waldorf schools, also known as Steiner schools, are private schools that follow the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher and social reformer who promoted a specific kind of holistic learning that emphasizes practical skills, imagination, and intellectual development. Like Montessori schools, teachers stay with the same group of students for several years to foster a close and intimate mentor - mentee relationship. !
Special Education Schools Special education schools are private Waldorf Schools and public schools that serve students with special needs. Some focus on multiple needs, others on specific learning differences. These
Bio: Tanni Haas is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences & Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College. www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
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Albee Farm Rd Venice Ave
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Brickhouse Academy
(K-10)
Sarasota Christian School
(M-10)
3552 Webber Street | Sarasota, FL 34239
5415 Bahia Vista St. | Sarasota, FL 34232
941.924.7681 • www.brickhouse-academy.com
941- 371-6481 • www.sarasotachristian.org
Grades: 6th Grade - 12th Grade Enrollment: 40 Class Size: 1 :4 Year Established: 1992 Affiliation: Non - Denom.
Grades: PreK - 12th Grade Enrollment: 440 Class Size: 14:1 Year Established: 1958 Affiliation: Christian (Mennonite)
Community Day School
(L-8)
1050 S. Tuttle Ave. | Sarasota, FL 34237 941.552.2770 • www.communityday.org
Grades: Preschool - 8th Grade Enrollment: 250 Class Size: 1:9 Year Established: 1974; independent 2015
SKY Academy
(N-18)
705 Center Road | Venice, FL 34285 941.244.2626 • www.SKYattheY.com
Grades: 6th Grade - 8th Grade Enrollment: 250 Class Size: 1 : 1 5 Year Established: 2001 Affiliation: Venice YMCA
Affiliation: Jewish (all faiths welcome)
SKY Academy NewGate School
(O-20)
871 South River Road, Englewood, FL 34223
(L-11)
5237 Ashton Road | Sarasota, FL 34233
941.999.4775
941.922.4949 • www.newgate.edu • Lic.# 58-51-00077
www.SKYattheY.com
Grades: 18 months - 6th Grade Enrollment: 101 Class Size: Toddler - 1:6, Primary 1:15 Year Established: 1984 Affiliation: A Montessori - IB World School
Grades: 6th Grade - 8th Grade Enrollment: 225 Class Size: 1 : 1 5 Year Established: 2001 Affiliation: Englewood YMCA
NewGate School
St. Martha Catholic School
(N-8)
(L-9)
5481 Communications Pkwy | Sarasota, FL 34240
4380 Fruitville Rd. | Sarasota, FL 34232
941.222.0763 • www.newgate.edu • Lic.# 58-51-00077
941-953-4181 • www.stmarthaschool.net
Grades: 7th Grade - 12th Grade Enrollment: 77 Class Size: Upper - 1:15 Year Established: 1984 Affiliation: A Montessori - IB World School
Grades: P3 - 8th Grade Enrollment: 466 Class Size: Varies Year Established: 1950 Affiliation: Catholic Diocese of Venice, St. Martha Catholic Church
Out-of-Door-Academy
(I-11)
444 Reid Street | Siesta Key, FL 34242
St. Mary Academy
941.349.3223 • www.oda.edu
4380 Fruitville Rd. | Sarasota, FL 34232
Grades: PreK - 5th Grade Enrollment: 250 Class Size: 1: 16 Year Established: 1924 Affiliation: Non - Denom.
941-366-4010 • www.stmarthaschool.net
Out-of-Door-Academy
(L-9)
Grades: K - 8th Grade Enrollment: 74 Class Size: 12 or less Year Established: 2000 Affiliation: Catholic Diocese of Venice (M-7)
5950 Deer Drive | Sarasota, FL 34240 941.349.3223 • www.oda.edu
Grades: 6th Grade - 12th Grade Enrollment: 500 Class Size: 1: 16 Year Established: 1924 Affiliation: Non - Denom.
Charter School PreSchool Private School Montessori School Exceptional Education Tutoring Center www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
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PRIVATE | SCHOOLS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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GULFCOAST FAMILY LIVING
EDUCATION
SARASOTA
NEWGATE
School
Cultivate a lifelong love of learning.
N
ewGate School’s Global Campus program is built around a community of families who are passionately committed to giving their children a world-
class education that nurtures their self-confidence, personal creativity, global awareness, and entrepreneurial spirit. Students proceed through an exciting and challenging international course of studies with many opportunities for student directed inquiry.
Our Global Campus will offer everything Montessori is famous for: authentic inquiry and experiential learning opportunities that foster personal engagement and a depth of understanding among respectful peers and inspiring adult mentors.
If this description excites you, we want to share more and we want to learn more about you!
Global Campus Vision Statement: Connecting and guiding motivated and compassionate learners around the world through electronic and experiential
Fully Accredited and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program
learning guided by Montessori principles and practice in connection with the campus community of NewGate Montessori School in Sarasota, Florida. l
941-922- 4949 www.newgate.edu
5237 Ashton Rd | Sarasota, Fl
941-222-0763 www.newgate.edu 5481 Communications Pkwy | Sarasota, Fl
www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
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2477 Stickney Point Rd #303 B Sarasota, FL 34231
A better alternative to tutoring.
SARASOTA
KID Potential Florida Learning Enhancement Center
D
oes your child require tutoring year after year? We can help! We are one of 550 providers of a nationally researched pair of programs called PACE and Master the Code. The goal of these programs is to build brain based learning skills. If skills weakness is a cause of your child’s learning struggle, tutoring alone cannot correct it. After completing PACE and Master the Code, a student has a permanently improved ability to perform independently, at school or work.
• Increases reading levels up to 4 years in only 60 hours! • Science based program improves cognitive skills for students ages six to adult. 22
GULFCOAST FAMILY LIVING | SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
F LO R I DA
• Train the brain. Get smarter. Guaranteed. • We make learning fun! l
For free testing contact: Stacy Collins, Cognitive Trainer (941) 966-5654 (808) 744-2867 www.kidpotentialflorida.com kidpotential@hotmail.com
Visit Us On Facebook! @KidPotentialFlorida
www.brickhouse-academy.com 3552 Webber St | Sarasota, FL
A low student-teacher ratio school helps students succeed!
SARASOTA
BRICKHOUSE Academy Quality education in a compassionate, flexible learning environment.
B
rickhouse Academy is a small college preparatory school with a wealth of learning opportunities for students from 6th through 12th grade. Class sizes are small offering low student-to-teacher ratios. In some cases it is only 3:1. This individualized approach helps the students excel and succeed in school. Our flexible program and scheduling truly makes this school unique. The middle school is a safe place where students grow both academically and socially, in an individualized small classroom setting. Methods develop selfesteem, responsible decision-making, social conscience, time management skills and solid academics.
EDUCATION
941-924-7681
Brickhouse Academy Brickhouse Academy is the perfect school for any student who needs individualized guidance to achieve academic goals. Honors courses and SAT/ACT prep classes are available. Flexible programs fit the needs of just about every student. In addition to the regular school day, they offer a complete high school curriculum in their afternoon program based on trimesters. Students can earn regular or honors credits in as little as 8-10 weeks. In addition, grade replacement courses are available. One-on-one tutoring is available in just about every subject, at every level. Tutoring can make all the difference in the world to a child struggling in school. Programs are designed to give everyone the skills and confidence they need. l www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
23
PRIVATE | SCHOOLS
941-371-6481 www.sarasotachristian.org 5415 Bahia Vista St | Sarasota, FL
Honoring God by developing academic abilities.
SARASOTA
SARASOTA Christian School Igniting Minds. Infusing Faith.
F
or more than 60 years, Sarasota Christian School (SCS) has offered an exceptional, Christ-centered education for students in Pre-K through 12th grade. Biblical truths and values of character, integrity, self-discipline, honor and kindness are seamlessly integrated into classrooms, co-curricular activities and athletics. SCS provides an accredited, faith-based education focused on academic achievement and spiritual development. Students build critical thinking and communication skills and collaborate with others through varied learning opportunities. Community service and the development of leadership skills are integral components of an SCS education. At the heart of the SCS experience, you’ll find a team of caring, highly qualified, passionate faculty and staff. Committed to Christ and dedicated
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GULFCOAST FAMILY LIVING | SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
to each student’s academic, emotional and spiritual growth, they teach both in class and by example, expressing their faith on a daily basis. We invite you to experience the difference for yourself by scheduling your tour today at www.SarasotaChristian.org l
www.stmarthaschool.net 4380 Fruitville Rd | Sarasota
EDUCATION
941-953-4181
Strength in Faith, Excellence in Knowledge, Character in Service.
SARASOTA
ST. MARTHA Catholic School Serving God and our community.
S
t. Martha Catholic School offers challenging academics to students in Pre-K through 8 th Grade. In an effort to serve God and our community, students, staff and families of St. Martha Catholic School work together to maintain high academic standards, develop Christ-centered relationships, and provide stewardship to Sarasota and the surrounding areas. St. Martha Catholic School students have consistently performed in the top 20% across the nation year after year. All teachers are certified in their subject areas with all early childhood classes having a full or part time aide. St. Martha Catholic School follows STREAM, an interdisciplinary, standardsbased curriculum model that integrates Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, The Arts, and Mathematics. From Pre-K through 8th Grade, the teachers at St. Martha Catholic School design units of study that challenge and empower students, creating an environment that encourages problem-solving,
collaboration, student-led inquiry and hands-on projects. St. Martha Catholic School is a leader in the integration of technology. Our classrooms are equipped with mobile ViewSonic panels and all students have a Chromebook to utilize 1:1 technology. In addition to Chromebooks, students have access to a mobile lab of iPads. Classes in grades 2-8 integrate digital, collaborative workspaces through the use of Google Classroom. In addition, students have access to a STREAM lab with access to Ozobots, Dot & Dash robots, CUE robots, Virtual Reality, 3-D Computer Printing, Codapillar, Tiggly, Ozmo, SmartGurlz, and many other tech tools to learn coding and apply their learning creatively through digital design. l
www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
25
PRIVATE | SCHOOLS
941-349-3223 www.oda.edu 444 Reid Street | Siesta Key, FL 5950 Deer Drive | Sarasota, FL
Innovative programs focused on educating the whole child.
SARASOTA & SIESTA KEY
OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Responsibility!
T
he Out-of-Door Academy is an independent, college preparatory school educating 750+ students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 at two campuses in Sarasota. At ODA, we understand that happy, healthy kids are successful kids. Founded by two nurses in 1924, health and wellness have always been at the core of our educational philosophy. A dedicated team of faculty, staff, and counselors works collaboratively to support the physical, social, and emotional growth of every student. Our teaching philosophy is defined by the pursuit of excellence and a commitment to build character through a balanced program of academics, the arts, and athletics. Each year, 100% of our graduates are accepted to four-year colleges and universities across the country. ODA provides learning opportunities that transcend the walls of the traditional classroom to better prepare today’s students to live, learn, lead, and
26
GULFCOAST FAMILY LIVING | SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
succeed. Our comprehensive, Pre-K – 12 educational program teaches students critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. Empowered with these essential skills, every ODA student graduates equipped to confront the complex, and unforeseen, challenges of the future with confidence and resolve. l
Orthodontic Care FOR CHILDREN, TEENS & ADULTS
Freeman Orthodontics Proudly Supports the Community Personalized Care • Convenient Office Hours Affordable Monthly Payments • Invisalign® • Clear Braces Dr. David Freeman and his talented team are committed to providing you and your family with exceptional orthodontic care in a welcoming, attentive and professional environment.
2050 Proctor Road, Suite A, Sarasota, FL 34231 0
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- 2020 •
Memories made… families that play together…
A
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953 7500
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Personalized
R’S CH OIC
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Make Her Dreams Come True!
.. Located a few moments from Siesta Key, Sarasota. TPC Prestancia offers a premiere private club setting for a vast array of family focused events. www.tpcprestancia.com 941-922-2800
941-284-2516 princessperfectboutique.com www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
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december calendar
2
THRIFTY THURSDAYS AT CHILDREN’S GARDEN
DOWNTOWN SARASOTA CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING It’s the annual! Holiday Performance by Ring Sarasota. Enjoy refreshments, music, and photos with Santa! The Christmas Tree will be lit at 7 p.m. where photos can be taken. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Selby Five Points Park, N Pineapple Avenue, 100 Central Ave., SAR.
1-19
Additional dates: Dec 9, 16, 23 and 30. Follow the yellow brick room into a land of enchantment & make-believe where little pirates can sail the high seas on The Pirate Queen, fairies can have tea in fairyland & kids can climb towards the clouds in our tree fort! The Woodland Cafe waits in Hobbitville for kids to create mud pies or mud cakes, the rain forest beckons kids to run through the cool mist & our costume room welcomes kids to dress up for creative fun! SAR.
2021 SHOWFOLKS OF SARASOTA HOLIDAY CIRCUS FESTIVAL ROBARTS ARENA
Join us indoors at Robarts Arena for holiday shopping with local craft vendors and indoor stage featuring local talents. You’ll then be guided outdoors for a variety of food vendors, children’s activities including free photos with Santa, inflatable photo garden and more! Don’t forget the array of thrilling entertainment both under the big top and on the grounds. We will even have a special fireworks display when the sun goes down! SAR.
BAH HUMBUG!
3 10-20
ASSISTED LIVING THE MUSICAL® VENICE THEATRE
BIG CAT BEST OF BASH
The comedy team of Compton and Bennett are off their walkers again in this hysterical sequel to the runaway hit about the nursing home and beyond. Christmas, Hanukkah, and retirement will never be the same. VEN.
Fun for the whole family! Live music, prizes, animal show, food drive, pony rides for kids, food trucks, concessions and adult beverages available. Tickets: Adults: $25, kids 3 - 12: $15, 2 years and under are free. 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Blvd. 941-371-6377. SAR.
5
10-12
A CHRISTMAS CAROL VENICE THEATRE
A magical Venice Theatre tradition celebrating its 20th year! Our original musical adaptation of Dickens’ classic story follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he reflects on his past, present and possible future. VEN.
CHABAD OF BRADENTON & LAKEWOOD RANCH Join us for Chanukah Disco! Let’s glow crazy and light up the world! It’s a glow-in-the-dark dance party complete with glowing cupcake decorating and a glowing dreidel spinoff. Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch 5712 Lorraine Rd. 11am - 12pm. SAR.
KID’S NIGHT OUT! STAR ACADEMY OF DANCE & AERIAL ARTS Join us for our first Kid’s Night Out of the season! Open to any kids ages 4-14 at any level of dance & aerial. We will have a fun dance class, aerial class, and games for all! 308 7th Street West. PAL.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TOWN FAMILY CELEBRATION AT SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH Our fourth annual Christmas town is going to happen soon! We can not wait to serve your family again this Christmas! Tickets are not required but will help us with crowd control and also help you to remember not to miss this totally free, totally amazing event! 2035 Magnolia Street. SAR.
THE SARASOTA BALLET SCHOOL’S NUTCRACKER FESTIVAL ROSEMARY SQUARE COURTYARD
10
Saturday, December 11th, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. https://www.sarasotaballet.org/ events/sarasota-ballet-schoolsnutcracker-festival. SAR.
OPEN HOUSE AT SARASOTA MANATEE ASSOCIATION FOR RIDING THERAPY (SMART)
North to South: PAL - Palmetto | BRA - Bradenton | SAR - Sarasota | VEN - Venice
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Saturday, December 11th, Open House Fun for the entire family! www.smartriders.org. 4640 CR 675 East, 941-322-2000. BRA.
11-12
WINTERGREEN WEEKEND AT THE POINT: A VICTORIAN FAMILY HOLIDAY MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS’ HISTORIC SPANISH POINT CAMPUS
Enjoy timeless holiday favorites at the Historic Spanish Point campus. Carriage rides, yuletide readings by the Asolo Repertory Theatre, classic festive tunes, tasty treats, and much more throughout the weekend. Free for Selby Gardens’ Members and included with General Admission. SAR.
11-23
18TH ANNUAL LIGHTS IN BLOOM CELEBRATION AT SELBY GARDENS Additional dates: Dec 11-23, 26-30, 2021 and 1-2, 2022. Early entry begins at 5 p.m. Admission: $30 Member Adults; $35 Non-Member Adults; $15 children 5 - 17; Free for those 4 and under. 811 South Palm Avenue. SAR.
17
PROGRAM 3 GISELLE VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL
FULL WEEK CAMP SARASOTA MANATEE ASSOCIATION FOR RIDING THERAPY (SMART)
www.smartriders.org. 4640 CR 675 East, 941-322-2000. BRA.
27-29
JUNIORS 3-DAY CAMP-SCIENCE BEHIND COOKING PUBLIX APRONS COOKING SCHOOL AT UNIVERSITY WALK Cooking ingredients and cooking methods are truly based on science---no hocus pocus here. We will get to the root of what, how, and why things happen as they do in the kitchen. 2875 University Parkway. SAR.
Now Filing & Accepting Insurance As Payment
Your Child’s Dental H me
Friday, December 17th, 7:30 PM; Saturday, December 18th, 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. https://www.sarasotaballet.org/events/ program-3-giselle. SAR.
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SARASOTA CHRISTMAS GLOW RUN 5K AT NATHAN BENDERSON PARK
This fun family friendly festive event features miles of Christmas decorations and music that creates an atmosphere that will get your Christmas season started off right! This professionally chip timed night glow run will be a memorable experience like no other. Athletes run or walk the lakeside Christmas themed course with thousands of lights and lighted characters at night. Athletes add to the atmosphere with their complementary glow products that are included with registration. ...and YES, there is a 100% chance of pretty snowfall at the finish! SAR.
Si McAninch, DDS, PA Pediatric Dentist
2711 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941-953-3535 www.drmcaninch.com
Accepting New Patients www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
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january calendar
1-2
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
18TH ANNUAL LIGHTS IN BLOOM CELEBRATION AT SELBY GARDENS Additional dates: Dec 11-23, 26-30, 2021 and 1-2, 2022. More than two million lights shine and twinkle brightly during this celebration. You can explore and view life-size garden-themed holiday lights that transform the gardens into a tropical wonderland. Don’t miss a holiday photo opportunity, children’s arts and crafts, activities, and entertainment. Food will be available for purchase from the Michael’s on East grill, including a cash bar. 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. nightly. Early entry begins at 5 p.m. Admission: $30 Member Adults; $35 Non-Member Adults; $15 children 5 - 17; Free for those 4 and under. 811 South Palm Avenue. SAR.
7
MUSIC ON MAIN AT LAKEWOOD RANCH Dance along to the Music with The Derek Lersch Band which will fill the air with high energy rockin’ country music from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. Beer, wine and food. Check out the fountain area for a balloon twister, face painting and other fun. Bring your chairs, but leave coolers at home. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a short leash. Overflow parking is available at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Free admission. Main Street, Lakewood Ranch. SAR.
3-7
FULL WEEK CAMP SARASOTA MANATEE ASSOCIATION FOR RIDING THERAPY (SMART) 4640 CR 675 East, 941-322-2000. BRA.
14
THE STIRRUP INTERACTIVE COOKING EXPERIENCE SARASOTA MANATEE ASSOCIATION FOR RIDING THERAPY (SMART) Please join us for our first ever Interactive Cooking Experience at Michael’s On East, benefitting Sarasota Manatee Association For Riding Therapy. Tickets are on sale at www.smartriders.org. 4640 CR 675 East, 941-322-2000. BRA.
14-16 13-23
SARASOTA SEAFOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL AT GULFSTREAM AND MAIN STREET, DOWNTOWN SARASOTA
MANATEE COUNTY FAIR AT MANATEE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
General admission: $10 for ages 13 and up. Military $6 (with Active Status I.D.) Children $6 (6-12), Children (5 and under) Free. Parking $10. Masks are not required outdoors where social distancing can be maintained. Is strongly recommend all guests wear a facemask to attend. 303 17th Street West. PAL.
Featuring family entertainment, local bands with a variety of live music, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, kids activities, magicians, face painters and more. Food, music and family fun. What more can you ask for? Free admission & parking where you can find it. FRI. 4 p.m. - 10 p.m., SAT. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. and SUN. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. JD Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Drive. SAR.
North to South: PAL - Palmetto | BRA - Bradenton | SAR - Sarasota | VEN - Venice
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MLK DAY NO SCHOOL
PROGRAM 4 – LOVE & BETRAYAL FSU CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Additional dates: Jan 29, 30 and 31. Friday, January 28th, 7:30 PM; Saturday, January 29th, 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM; Sunday, January 30th, 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM; Monday, January 31st, 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. https://www.sarasotaballet.org/events/ program-4-love-betrayal. SAR.
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SARASOTA COUNTY’S FIRE FEST Fire Fest provides a first-hand look at how prescribed burns protect our communities and property from wildfires as well as maintain Florida’s natural ecosystems for present and future generations. Enjoy live fire demonstrations, helicopter bucket drops, and nature tours. Kids will have a blast on the SWAT obstacle course, and will enjoy fun games and face painting in the KidZone. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (rain or shine). Free. T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve (Carlton Reserve). 1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway. 941-861-5000. VEN.
30-6 JAN
JUN
WILD KRATTS: OCEAN ADVENTURE MOTE MARINE Based on the popular PBS kids’ show. Located in Mote’s WAVE Center, the interactive exhibit focuses on building STEM-based skills for kids ages 3 - 9 and families while they explore marine animal habitats. Mote Marine Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway. SAR.
continued from page 11
are supposed to do it!” Helping when you can and where appropriate is important, but it is even more important that you stay within the proper bounds of involvement. One of the most consistent findings is that children benefit the most when parents support them in their own efforts to do the homework rather than help them out every step of the way. Linda Cameron, a homework researcher at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in Canada, says, ”Be at the elbow but don’t hold the pen.” There is nothing wrong with working very closely with your elementaryschool-aged children on their homework since this will help them develop great study habits and skills. Yet, the most effective form of involvement overall is simply to set clear expectations and guidelines, and then to reward good behavior when those expectations and guidelines are met. One important aspect is to set clear rules for when, where, and how your children’s homework is supposed to be completed. As Erika Patall puts it, “Be as specific as possible about what the procedures are every day.” She argues that “students who have a clearly defined routine around homework — a set time, a set place and a set way
to complete homework — are more likely to believe they can overcome challenges while doing homework, take more responsibility for learning, and ultimately do better in school.” Research indicates that when parents engage in proper rule-setting, children spend more time on their homework, use that time more effectively, and most importantly, internalize those rules so that they become routine, good habits over time. Whatever you ultimately decide to do, don’t despair if once in a while, you overstep your bounds. This can happen to even the best of people. Eva Pomerantz, a homework researcher at the University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign and a mother of two, occasionally finds herself taking over the process of doing homework from her children even though she knows better. She admits ”I do that because I’m naturally a controlling person … Then I always have to remember that the child is the one who needs to be in the chair doing the strategizing.” ! For more information: Sarasota Christian School SarasotaChristian.org 941-371-6481
www.FloridaFamilyLiving.com
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