Tips for Teaching Your Child Anything

Simply telling your child what you want them to do and walking away is not an effective teaching strategy. You can’t “talk” your child into learning a new skill. The most effective teaching strategy is to do it with them and then have them practice. Research has repeatedly proven that the only way we all learn is through practice, practice, practice.

Prompting is the most important tool in teaching your child a new skill. Prompting is the action of persuading, encouraging, or reminding. There are four main types of prompting: verbal, gestural, visual, and hand over hand.

1. Verbal prompting is standing beside your child while they are doing the task and telling them what to do next.

2. Gestural prompting is when you point or act out the behavior to help your child know what to do next.

3. Visual prompting includes pictures, visual schedules, written lists, etc. An example of this is putting a list of the process of getting ready on their bathroom mirror.

4. Hand-over-hand prompting is when you take your child’s hands in yours and do what you want to see. For example, if you are asking your child which car is blue, you would touch the car with his hand while saying, “This car is blue.” This approach is invaluable because it negates any language barriers, provides an opportunity for the child to get the right answer and earn praise, and it encourages the child to comply.

Shaping is the next tool. Shaping is simply reinforcing small accomplishments towards the skill you are trying to teach. For example, let’s say your goal is that your child sits at the dinner table until the end of the meal. Shaping starts exactly where the child is. If your child walks around eating and has never been forced to sit at the dinner table, start there. Shape the behavior by putting them in the chair for 10 seconds, praise them for sitting, and then let them return to walking around. After a short time, do this again. If 10 seconds occurred without any extreme frustration, you can move up to 15 seconds and then 20 seconds. The next day, you increase the time and continue shaping until your child can sit through the meal. We always begin shaping from where the child will be successful, so if 10 seconds is too long, start at 5 seconds. If that is too long, start with sitting in the chair. No matter how your child behaves, praise them for trying, even if they are angry. If you praise what you want to see, your child will do it again willingly.

I can’t talk about prompting or shaping without conveying the importance of precursor skills. Precursor skills must be mastered before you can move to something more complex. For example, if your child can’t write her name, make sure she has the precursor skills of holding a pencil, writing on paper, writing letters, and attending long enough to write her entire name. We strongly encourage parents to think through the precursor skills a child needs before working towards a goal. Otherwise, you are setting your child up for failure and frustration.

Practice makes progress, but effective practice must include starting where they are, prompting when necessary, and shaping complex skills.

Enjoy Local Summer Theatre

July 13-23 * A Little Princess Cloverdale Playhouse ($20)

When her mother dies, Sara Crewe is sent from India, where she was born, to a private school in London. She is banished to the garret when news arrives of her father’s loss of fortune and his disappearance. With a creative imagination and spirited optimism, Sara survives to become an inspiration for girls and boys everywhere. Visit cloverdaleplayhouse.org.

July 13-July 29 * Willy Wonka Millbrook Theatre ($15)

The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. Visit millbrooktheatre.com.

July 27-August 12

Four Weddings and an Elvis ($15)

Wetumpka Depot

Sandy is the owner of a Las Vegas Chapel of Wedded Bliss! She has seen her share of Bright Light City weddings and in this hilarious comedy we get to witness four of the most hilarious. Visit wetumpkadepot.com.

Night Out with Native Species

Thursday, July 13 * 4 pm to 6 pm Pike Road AG Rec and Performing Arts Center

6281 Trotman Road Montgomery, 36116

Join us and learn about animals that may be right in your backyard through hands on activities including live animal encounters, and skins and skulls interactive display. Participants will leave with a bird feeder. Visit Visit pikeroad.us.

Color Run and Walk Cardio Craze

Saturday, July 15 * 10 am to 12 pm Emory Folmar Soccer Complex, 300 Brown Springs Road, Montgomery

This event is perfect for all fitness levels and ages, whether you’re an experienced runner or just looking for a fun way to get some exercise. Free! Visit movemgm.com.

Main Street Wetumpka Christmas in July

July 22 * 11 am to 6 pm

231 Hill Street, Wetumpka

Mark your calendars for this festive and fun shopping event during tax-free weekend! Summer Santa, Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt, Themed Christmas Food & Drinks, Photo Ops, Deals and Discounts. Visit mainstreetwetumpka.org.

Grand Opening Events

July 7-9 * 1100 Maxwell Blvd

Live music, white water rafting, cold beer and good food all weekend, including the Montgomery Whitewater Splash 5K and Kids Fun Run on Saturday. The 5K course will take participants through the facility with the start and finish at the Raft Barn. Top finishers will be given awards for overall and 5-year age groups. Visit montgomerywhitewater. com for details on the entire weekend.

Youth Fishing Rodeo

Saturday, August 5 * 7 am to 11 am Alabama Nature Center (Lanark), Millbrook

The AWF Youth Fishing Rodeo program is designed to provide Alabama’s youth a chance to experience the outdoors and learn about fishing. Bring the kids, a few fishing poles, and a cooler and join us early this morning down at the catfish pond! Children 15 and under can catch and take home up to 5 catfish each (catfish only), but can catch and release all they want! Each young angler will receive a t-shirt and will be eligible for door prizes. Snacks and drinks will also be available. Participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment and bait, though a limited number of loaner rods and reels and some bait will be available on site. Register online at www.alabamawildlife. org/youth-fishing-rodeo/.or call (334-285-4550). Space fills up quickly! Admission is free.

Stars on the Riverfront

July 23 and 24 * 7:30 pm, nightly Alabama Dance Theatre hosts Stars on the Riverfront, a FREE performance designed for audiences of all ages at the Riverwalk Amphitheatre! Audience members may bring a picnic or enjoy one of the food trucks on site. Gates open at 6:00pm, with performances by the Alabama Dance Theatre starting at 7:30pm. Entertaining for all ages, this performance against the beautiful Alabama River features a variety of dance styles for everyone to enjoy.

Afterschool Registration/ Back to School Kick Off

Saturday, July 29 * 10 am to 2 pm Oak Park, 1010 Forest Avenue

In partnership with MPD, this free family-friendly event open to the public. Back-to-school giveaways, vendors, games, inflatables, crafts, face painting, and refreshments. Visit montgomeryal.gov.

Prattville’s Creekwalk Concerts on Tuesdays

Christmas in July

Sydni Edwards is a fourth-generation graduate from Auburn University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She has her Master’s from The University of West Alabama and was recently accepted at UWA to pursue an add-on to her Master’s in Instructional Leadership. Through her credentials, passion for learning, and enjoyment of teaching, Sydni is giving back by teaching 4th grade students at Airport Road Intermediate School.

Sydni knew it was the place for her when she entered the school to interview wearing a suit, and both administrators were wearing tie-dyed t-shirts and head bandanas for Field Day. Sydni lovingly shares, “I immediately felt right at home during the interview. Within two hours after leaving the school, Mrs. Stephens called and offered me the job. It was the best fit for me being near family.”

Mrs. Edwards finds creative ways to make learning fun in the classroom while fostering an environment where students can challenge themselves. She believes teaching helps build their future, and she does what

Sydni Edwards Airport Road Intermediate School

she loves to inspire young children to fall in love with learning. “I hope one day, some of my students will reflect on their education, think about their 4th-grade teacher, and understand I did everything I could to make learning fun and my classroom a safe space for them.”

Mrs. Edwards’ mission is to continuously learn and grow to be the best teacher and version of herself. “Students change, so my teaching should adapt and change with them. I cannot help students reach their full potential unless I am willing to learn and challenge myself.”

Since she loves teaching math and showing students that math is doable, Mrs. Edwards desires them to solve problems and be prepared for their future careers. She hopes to transition into a coaching position to work with more students and math teachers in the state.

It’s Time to End Student Cell Phone Use in Schools

Cell phones have come to dominate more and more of our daily lives. They can be extremely useful, and indeed, many of us have integrated them into most facets of our professional and personal lives. They are also major sources of distraction and wasted time. Even many adults fight the urge to constantly check for the latest texts and notifications.

For children, this compulsion can be even more damaging. Smartphones are often a vehicle for bullying and other conflicts, and social media can have an insidious impact on young minds. In the classroom, phones destroy focus as students continuously feel the pull of their phone.

That is why Montgomery Public Schools is enforcing a strict policy against cell phones in all middle and high schools for the 2023-2024 school year. The district will begin issuing lockable pouches to each student. All student phones must remain locked inside the pouch from the time students enter school until the end of the day, when students will be given access to a magnetic unlocking device. Students who refuse to place their phones in a pouch or who are caught using a cell phone during the school day will be subject to disciplinary action as set forth in the Student Code of Conduct.

I feel strongly that this change is necessary in order to improve mental health outcomes and student engagement. I am pleased that our principals are on board with the change as well. All 18 middle and high school principals we surveyed agreed that this is a needed step. Similarly, the Montgomery County Board of Education was unanimous in its approval.

School districts all over the world have implemented locking pouch systems, including here in the River Region. Administrators at schools with locking pouches have reported improvements in academics, behavior and student engagement. The locking pouch system will make it easier to enforce a ban on cell phones in schools. It also will be easier to identify when students are violating the ban.

I know that many parents worry about their child being able to contact them during an emergency. In the event of an emergency, school faculty or staff will make the call to emergency services, which avoids the danger of multiple calls overloading communication systems.

I am looking forward to seeing the positive effects of this phone-free schools as we continue to improve learning environments for all students.

Montgomery County Schools

Saint James School Wins 1A-3A State Tennis Championship

The Saint James Varsity Tennis Teams competed in the 1A-3A State Tennis Tournament, held in Mobile, Alabama.

The Varsity Boys Tennis Team won the tournament and brought home the State Champion trophy for the first time in school history. The players won individually at every line in singles and doubles, making a sweep of the tournament. The team played a total of 54 sets of tennis during the tournament, not losing a single set! The boys team players at lines 1-6 are #1 Toba Rios, #2 Josh Harvey, #3 Danny Trock, #4 Ryan Jeong, #5 Jason Jeong, #6 Grayson Eaves. They are coached by Ben Bradshaw. The Varsity Girls played for the State Championship match and placed as State Runner-Up.

Stella Sponseller at the #2 position won as an individual state champion. The Girls Tennis team has been state champion two previous times in school history. The Varsity Girls Tennis team players at posi tions 1-6 are #1 Reilly Taylor, #2 Stella Sppnseller, #3 Karly Bailey, #4 Bailey Woods, #5 Davis Wilsford, and #6 Addison Seale. The team is coached by Geoff

Evangel’s Kindergarten Class Holds Graduation Ceremony

The K5 class at Evangel Christian Academy concluded the year with a program and graduation ceremony. The students began by sharing Bible verses and songs. The audience then enjoyed a visit from various Bible characters. The children also shared math skills, reading rules, and the process by which they learned to read through songs and skits. There was even an appearance from a super hero, “Super e.” When the students left to change into their caps and gowns, the parents enjoyed a video presentation celebrating the students from birth to graduation. The graduates later returned dressed in traditional caps and gowns and awards were presented to the students.

Macon East Welcomes New Girls Coach

Macon East Academy is excited to announce our new Head Cheer and Assistant Softball Coach, Arianna Atchley. Coach Atchley will also teach life science and anatomy.

Coach Atchley graduated from Autauga Academy in 2019. She first attended the University of West Georgia where she played softball for a year and a half and then transferred to Alabama State University to finish her athletic and academic career. She has her Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies with minors in Biology and Coaching. She is very excited to be at Macon East and cannot wait for the year to start! Go Knights!

Montgomery Catholic Announces New Head Baseball Coach

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is proud to announce the hiring of Chandler Avant as Head Baseball Coach. Chandler, a native of Troy, went to Pike Liberal Arts and played high school baseball for the Patriots. He played in three state championships and was victorious in one. Chandler attended the University of Alabama where he played and started all four years for the Crimson Tide. Following his collegiate career, Chandler was drafted by the New York Mets where he played almost three years of professional baseball. Next he went back to his roots as a volunteer coach for Alabama Baseball in 2021 for one year before beginning his high school coaching career. served as the head coach at Goshen High School for twodler shared, Julia and I, along with our chocolate lab Bo, are excited to begin this new chapter with Montgomery Catholic. We look forward to meeting everyone and becoming a part of the Montgomery Catholic family.”

Daniel Veres, Athletic Director, shared, “We could not be more excited to add such a high caliber coach to our strong roster of coaches at Montgomery Catholic.” School President, Justin Castanza, adds “Chandler will continue to elevate our program and pour his knowledge and passion into our students and families.”

MA Supports Friendship Mission

Each year, The Montgomery Academy partners with a focus agency to learn more about the specific challenges and needs in our commu nity and to dedicate many of our fundraising efforts around a single organization. This year, the students chose to support the Friendship Mission, which seeks to “demonstrate love through action...a refuge for the homeless and hungry.” During the Public Service Closing As sembly, H.E.A.R.T. officers presented the Friendship Mission with a donation of $39,087 as the result of a yearlong service effort. Each division of the school, led by H.E.A.R.T., the Middle School Student Public Service and Social Committees, and Eagle Assem bly (the Lower School student leadership group), facilitated and organized numerous fundraisers and drives to raise awareness, and funds in support of this organization. As a core tenet of the school’s mission, MA students understand that service is vita ship. We were honored to partner with the Friendship Mission as well as continue our support of our ongoing partnerships with Montgomery Food for Kids Backpack Program, Brantwood Children’s Home, and Common Ground Montgomery.

Trinity Celebrates Honor Society Inductees

Trinity celebrated the academic accomplishments of many of our upper school students as they were inducted into the French Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society), and the National Honor Society. Seniors were also corded with the colors of their respective honor society memberships. Congratulations to the students who were tapped and inducted to these distinguished and long standing Trinity honor societies!

Montgomery County Schools

Dr. Jack Hawkins Delivers the Senior Challenge at ACA

This year’s Senior Challenge was given by Dr. Jack Hawkins. Dr. Hawkins has served as the Chancellor of Troy University since before this year’s graduates were born. Now concluding his 33rd year as Chancellor, he is longest-serving chief executive of a public university in the entire United States. Dr. Hawkins loves the city of Montgomery. His service to our community and to higher education has been the catalyst for population growth, industry recruitment, business development, military advancements, private-public partnerships, and beyond. He was an amazing speaker and delivered an outstanding speech to our graduates. We are so thankful for the commitment he has for Troy and for ACA.

MA Welcomes Author and Illustrator

The Montgomery Academy Lower School recently welcomed author and illustrator Laurie Keller. Ms. Keller spoke to the students about her books, how she gets ideas, and even guided them through some illustrating exercises. Librarian Mrs. Frances Smith and Assistant Librarian Mrs. Virginia Farmer along with the Lower School enrichment team for making the most of this exciting learning opportunity by immersing students in Ms. Keller’s work and planning art and design projects modeled after the illustrations in her books. Ms. Keller was blown away with

Two LAMP High Students Receive National Merit Scholarships

LAMP High students

Kathleen Doyle (right) and Kathleen Druhan (left) found themselves in rare company when they were selected to receive $2,500 National Merit Scholarships.

Scholarship winners were chosen from more than 15,000 finalists nationwide. Only 26 Alabama students received this distinction.

LAMP had a total of 17 National Merit semifinalists, 15 of whom went on to be finalists.

SUA Students Participate

Montgomery County Schools

Saint James Middle Choir Performs Well at Music in the Parks Festival

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, the Saint James Middle School Choir went to Atlanta to compete at the Music in the Parks Festival. The students enjoyed singing and playing at Six Flags over Georgia. The choir received Superior Ratings, placed 3rd in their division, and 6th Grader Aditi Shyam was selected as the Outstanding Accompanist of the entire Festival!

The middle school choir members include Levi Johnson, Abigail Roark, Nancy Bradford, Jacob McNally, Ruthie Blakeney, Dominic TrocciaHolland, Hailey Shelton, Aditi Shyam, Aerial Hooks, Jackson Clovis, Sean Woessner, Bailey Fife, Adeline Henry, Harison Pappas, George Tran, Carson Crum, Alex McIlwain, Maddy Stuart, Kendall Dunson, Addison Weston, Gabriel Bagg, and Easton Turner. Saint James offers music classes at all division levels. The middle school and high choirs are taught and sponsored by Dr. Sallye York.

Montgomery Academy First Graders Enjoy Pretend Hospital

Montgomery Academy first graders enjoyed Baptist Medical Center’s 40th Anniversary of “Let’s Pretend Hospital.” This event was held at the Institute for Patient Safety and Medical Simulation Center here in Montgomery. Students were introduced to the typical hospital environment in a friendly, educational, and non-threatening manner, helping to dispel many common concerns and fears children have about hospitals. This excursion is always an exciting (and fun) experience for our students!

Artwork on Display at Trinity School

Montgomery County Schools

Saint James Spanish Teacher Receives Grant

Saint James high school Spanish teacher, Mrs. Rhea Grate has been awarded a fellowship grant through Alabama Public Television’s Fund for Teachers Program. Only eight teachers from around the state were awarded this honor.

Mrs. Grate described her proposed project as follows, ““This fellowship grant is to attend the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) conference at the University of Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain. I hope to go to the conference to learn new teaching ideas to help my students and immerse myself in the culture and language for professional development.” The conference will be held from June 26-29. Mrs. Grate is the only teacher in the Montgomery area to receive this honor.

Talent Education & Art Christian Academy, Inc. End of The Year Reflection

Based on Dr. Maggie McElroy-Washington’s personal philosophy on reflections and assessments, she says they have always been a vital part of her life.

Closing out the school year with reflection is a matter of moving ahead with an open and positive mindset knowing what’s next, understanding what we did great or not so great, and simply building from there. Reflecting on the big picture with Meeting of the Minds at the end of the year is also a great way to promote growth in our schools and build better relationships with stakeholders. Making time to have important conversations is essential and should be a valuable part of every school and business at the end of the year. Our 2023 meeting was very positive and meaningful!