“The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots
of responsibility and the wings of independence.” ~ Denis Waitley
As parents, you are used to your children being dependent on
you. As your children grow older, their
dependence on you should naturally decrease.
When children start school, they should take a huge leap in learning
responsibility and gaining independence.
I say “should” because it is the tendency of many parents to want their
children to still be dependent on them.
It is difficult to let them spread their wings and try things on their
own. You worry they will make mistakes
and struggle. They will do both
of those things and should do both of those things. Letting your children make mistakes and
struggle are some of the best gifts you can give them. They will never learn to be responsible for
themselves, if you do not let them try.
The tendency to save your children from difficult things is a struggle
that shows you, too will continue to grow and learn throughout life. We can all work together to create an
environment where children can learn to be responsible and independent, where
mistakes are embraced and learning from those mistakes is supported.
One way to help your children develop the “roots of
responsibility” is to give them things to be responsible for and not save them
when they forget to be responsible. For example,
when you bring your child a forgotten item from home (water bottle, lunch,
homework, shoes for physical education, etc.) you are not allowing them to
learn how to be responsible for that item.
If someone will always bring it to me, why would I learn to not forget
it. Responsibility for simple items is
just the first step in the journey toward independence, but an easy one to try
in the beginning.
There are many wonderful articles on helping raise
responsible, independent children. Here
are a few resources for you to peruse.
As you may have heard there are a few changes to drop-off and
pick-up coming on Monday. Door 7 in the
back of the building will now be closed to drop-off and pick-up. All drop-off and pick-up will occur in the front
of the building at door 2. If you choose
to walk your child into the building you will not be able to go past the School
of Grammar doors in the lunchroom without a visitor badge and an appointment
with your child’s teacher. We ask that
teachers concentrate on greeting their students and making connections with
them in the mornings and they are unable to do that with drop-ins to the
classroom. Teachers are happy to arrange
appointments with you ahead of time (before 7:45), if you need to speak to
them.
Thanks for the wonderful attendance at Curriculum Night this
week. We are excited to share what your
children will be doing this year and the specifics for each classroom. Nights such as last night help us create
those common understandings that allow for such wonderful teamwork in growth of
your children! Thank you for attending!
Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. Baier
