The Family Center: enrichment programs for families and professionals
Kindergarten Readiness - Social and Emotional Development
Ask the Experts by Lori Warner, PhD
Q: My daughter has a late birthday so she will still be four when kindergarten starts. However, she is advanced in her reading skills and I don't think another year of preschool is needed. How do I decide if she is ready for kindergarten?
A: This is always an individual decision parents need to make, but enlist the help of others to make your choice. Talk to her preschool teacher and to the kindergarten teacher to find out if your daughter is socially and emotionally ready for kindergarten.
Some children will be young like her, whereas others may have completed an extra year of preschool and will be a full year older. Academic skills are not the only criteria for deciding if kindergarten is the appropriate choice.
Read more: Kindergarten Readiness - Social and Emotional Development
Developing Motor Skills in Pre-K Children
Ask the Experts: Donna Tavalieri, PT
Q. As pediatric physical therapist who works with a variety of professionals and children, I am often asked "What types of activities are best to prepare my child for kindergarten?"
A. I have found that building a strong foundation of gross motor skills prepares children to meet the fine motor expectations they will be confronted with in kindergarten.
Good gross motor skills provide strength, balance and coordination in the body, arms and legs that is needed to support fine motor control e.g. sitting at a desk to color or write.
Are My Children Over-scheduled?
Ask the Experts: Mary Beth Garvey, LMSW
Q: I feel like there is a lot of pressure to have my kids in multiple activities. While I would like my kids to be involved in what interests them, I do worry about over-scheduling. As parents, how can we help our kids strike the right balance?
A: As our culture becomes more preoccupied with success, hyper achievement is becoming a norm in family values.
There is pressure for the "good" parent to provide their children with a wide range of competitive opportunities and to become intensely involved in managing a demanding schedule. The idea is that by exposing children to these early competitive experiences, you are preparing them for academic, athletic and extracurricular successes. These demands on kids, which often begin at an early age, are usually motivated by the desire to give children a competitive edge or build self esteem.
Helping Your Child Become a Strong Reader
Ask the Experts by Julie Bellovich
Q. How can I help my child become a reader?
A. Learning to read and write is a critical component to a child's success in school and in life. However, it is important to realize that reading involves a lot more than just sitting down with a good book.
If you want to help your preschool aged child become a strong reader then you need to expose him/her to all areas of literacy. Whether you are the parent of a young child or someone who loves a young child give, him or her, the gift of a lifetime - foster the love of books and create an environment immersed with language, reading and writing activities.
Living a More Stress-Free Life
Ask the Experts by Marla K. Ruhana, LMSW
Q: I don't know why but I feel so stressed out all of the time. Can you help?
A: In this fast-paced world, many of us feel bombarded with life stressors. We also feel one stressor is eliminated and here comes another.
Q: Yes, I get something resolved with my spouse and then I experience tremendous work stress. How do I stop the madness?
A: Well, as it has been said, 10% of what happens to us in life is beyond our control, 90% of what transpires is how we choose to react to it.
Q: Wow! Really? How will my reactions help to reduce my stress?
A: By learning new techniques to change your reactions to daily stressors, you will be able to breathe, listen, be calm and decide how you want to react to people, places, and things.
Why do teens and adolescents rebel so much?
Ask the Experts by Georgia Michalopoulou, Ph.D
The teen years are a time of great change and intense growth, where many physical, cognitive and psychological changes are occurring. These changes often cause confusion and upheaval for both the parent and child. A parent, who is used to their younger child being cooperative and eager to please, may now be faced with an adolescent who opposes and asserts more independence. These behaviors are often part of normal development.
Play Central Play Group: November - April
Ask the Experts by Beth Vernon
Q. Do you have any suggestions of things to do with my young children in the fall/winter months?
A. As stay-at-home parents and caregivers of young children can attest, when November rolls around and the long, cold, wet winter stretches out endlessly before us- a bit of panic sets in. Gone are the sunshine filled days of playing in the park and at the pool; when hours spent running around with other children in the fresh air meant that the consummate non-napper might actually sleep that afternoon; when our selection of venues for play has dwindled to the abysmal Eastland Mall play area and the McDonald's play-land - don't despair - The Family Center's Play Central has just what you need!
Community Tolerance?
Ask the Experts by Kathy Rager
Q: Grosse Pointe is a unique community and I knew it when I moved in five years ago. I love the character of the community and feel welcome. One thing does puzzle me. "Grosse Pointers" seem to accept underage drinking and that it is a "rite of passage". I feel pressured to let my daughter participate by attending teen parties and other activities where alcohol is served to them. I read in the newspaper that these parties are visited by law enforcement on a regular basis and I don't want my daughter involved. What can I do?
A: Residents of most communities minimize alcohol and drug use by their underage children, I find that Grosse Pointe is not a unique community. Of those children who are referred to CARE of Southeastern Michigan for a substance abuse evaluation and where counseling is recommended, fully 40% of the parents do not follow up on these recommendations. You are wise to be concerned.
Life Skills: Volunteerism
Ask the Experts by Suzanne Klein, PhD
Q. I am the parent of a middle and high school student who are both engaged in the academic challenge of school but I would also like to instill the value of volunteering and helping others. Is it important for students at this age to be part of some volunteer work? What community resources can you suggest?
A. Indeed, Community Service can be a powerful learning experience as it provides another opportunity for students to develop valuable life skills while engaging in a project that gives meaning and purpose to their lives.
Time travel for a moment. What were the experiences you most remember from elementary, middle and high school? One study of graduate students revealed a particular teacher, a field trip learning experience and recess were often in the top ten responses. Of the thousands of hours spent in school, students frequently recall particular teachers and especially the lessons tied to real life experiences. What's interesting is this same connection and excitement lasts into adulthood for projects, experiences and careers where our motivation to learn more, do it better, or help others takes over and we immerse ourselves in finding a solution or meeting a challenge.
What is the impact of doing community service on the volunteer? The Corporation for National and Community Service (2006) found that students who participated in high quality service experiences thought they could make a great deal of difference in their communities, reported feeling good about giving back and saw their place in a wider social world. Adults who volunteer also reported high levels of happiness, life satisfaction, a sense of control over their lives and were in better physical health than those who did not volunteer.
Why does a community service experience have that effect? A student volunteer experience is about learning how they can make a difference in meeting community needs while at the same time providing opportunities to learn teamwork, planning, time management and satisfaction for a job well done. Daniel Pink offers an interesting perspective in his book, Drive. Human beings, according to Pink, "by their nature seek purpose - a cause greater and more enduring than themselves."
How do our students, families as well as staff learn about what community service opportunities are available? As a result of a generous gift from The Anne R. Hudson Fund to the Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education, the district's SERVE project, active at both high schools, provides an umbrella resource center that identifies volunteer opportunities. SERVE aims to be the bridge which brings students together with meaningful opportunities for service in our community and throughout the state.
The Spirit of Giving event on November 16 is a way to learn about opportunities for service to 80 organizations and learn more about the district's SERVE project. All are welcome!
Dr. Suzanne Klein is a graduate of the University of Michigan, having received a B.S., M.S. and PhD. there. As a member of the staff in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools, she has served as a teacher in the special education department, Assistant Principal of Pierce and Parcells Middle Schools, Principal of Pierce Middle School, Director of Instructional Services, Assistant Superintendent, and Deputy Superintendent. She was appointed Superintendent of Schools in 1997, having served first as interim superintendent. Dr. Klein received the Excellence in Educational Leadership Award from the University of Michigan in April, 2008 and was recently recognized as Region 9 Superintendent of the Year by the Michigan Association of School Administrators. Dr. Klein serves on the Advisory Council of The Family Center. She may be reached at 313.432.3003.
Save The Date
SPIRIT OF GIVING
Presented by SERVE in partnership with The Family Center and Beaumont Community Health Coalition
Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 7pm
Grosse Pointe South High School - Main Gym (11 Grosse Pointe Blvd., Grosse Pointe Farms.
No Fee
For information about this event, please contact Alicia Carlisle, SERVE coordinator at Grosse Pointe Public Schools, 313.432.3770 or
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Over a Decade of Commitment to Community Families Since 2000
The Family Center serves as the community's hub for information, resources and referral for both families and professionals. The Family Center is a non-profit organization founded to promote a deeper understanding of the role of parents and others in supporting our youth to become competent, caring and responsible community members.
All gifts are tax-deductible.
To volunteer or contribute, visit www.familycenterweb.org, call (313) 432.3832.
Email:
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or write to: The Family Center
20090 Morningside Drive, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236.
The Accountability Equation
Ask the Experts by Ted Kasper, LMSW
Q: Our son is five years-old and our daughter is three. When they are ready to leave our home and go out on their own, I want our efforts as parents to result in responsible, capable, and confident people. Do you have any tips?
A: I have three words for you: "Opportunity equals responsibility" (also known as, The Accountability Equation). These three words can become the cornerstone of your family discipline policy. Using this equation throughout their lives develops the capacity to make good choices and an opportunity to learn about the relationship between cause and effect. Through consistent use, your children will feel a degree of control over their lives and it provides you with a way to hold your children accountable in a loving and respectful manner.
Make a Successful Transition into Kindergarten
by Dorothy Heitjan, Kristen DeVooght, and Deb Kraft
Q. How can we as parents help our preschooler make a successful transition into Kindergarten?
A. It is vital in the preschool years to provide your child with the experiences that will build the foundation for later success in school. Keep in mind the amazing developmental changes that occur in a child's body and brain during the preschool years. In order to help your child build these neural connections, parents should provide:
Academic Accomodation in College for Special Education Students
Ask the Experts by Marianne Balton
Q: My daughter is a special education student, who will be attending college next fall. What can I do to help her arrange to receive academic accommodations while in college?
The best way a parent can help a daughter who is transitioning from high school to college is to support her autonomy. Once a student has been accepted into a college or university, she is expected to navigate independently, as an adult.
Read more: Academic Accomodation in College for Special Education Students
Logging In: College and Career Access
Ask the Experts by Milissa Pierce and Carla Palffy
Q: I have a high school sophomore. I am wondering what online resources are available to help us explore his future opportunities.
A: Wow! This is an overwhelming challenge! Nowadays, internet resources abound and are easily accessible to everyone.
It can be daunting to know where to begin this process and what sites will benefit your individual needs and goals.
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