Jeff Davis Parish Parent Center

08/10/2025

Have a private conversation about public misbehavior

How do you discipline a child who misbehaves in front of friends? You don't want to embarrass your child, but you don't want to let the behavior go unchallenged, either. Look for a compromise: Say something brief at the time (That was rude, Kiddo). Later, in private, you can discuss the issue further. Role-play appropriate ways to handle the situation, and end by saying "I know you'll do better next time."

Your elementary schooler is showing off and misbehaving in front of friends. You don't want to embarrass your child with public discipline. But you don't want to ignore poor behavior, either.

08/09/2025

Set your child up to be a responsible learner

Students who take active responsibility for their own learning get more out of it. Explain to your child that this involves being prepared to learn, as well as asking questions, participating in class, and talking about school subjects at home. It also means staying organized, and continuing to try when facing learning challenges. Say that you expect your child to be a responsible learner.

Students who take active responsibility for their own learning get more out of it. To set your elementary schooler up for success in the coming school year, talk together about what this means.

08/08/2025

Interest your child in science with a disappearing penny

Try this science experiment with your child: On a table, place a penny on a sheet of paper. Fill a clear glass with water, and set it on top of the penny. Can your child see the penny? Next, cover the top of the glass with a saucer. Can your child see the penny now? Explain that we see objects when light rays reflect off them into our eyes. But the light reflecting off the penny has to pass through air, water and glass, which makes it bend. The saucer blocks the bent light from reaching your eyes, and that's why the penny seems to disappear.

Can you and your child make a penny disappear without spending it? You don't need magic. But you do need to help your child understand some basic science.

08/07/2025

Make the most of read-aloud time

Reading aloud with your child fosters language and reading skills, no matter how old your student is. When you read, begin by reading the book's title and the name of the author. Then, as you read the story, use plenty of expression in your voice and be sure to stop and talk with your child about the plot, the characters and the illustrations. Most importantly, read stories that you and your child enjoy.

No matter how young or old students are, listening to books being read aloud helps build their reading and language skills.

07/13/2025

Challenge your child to some junk mail math

To turn junk mail into math practice, ask your elementary schooler to sort your mail for a week into two stacks, one for junk mail, one for regular mail. Have your child track the daily count of each type of mail on a chart. At the end of the week, ask questions like: "What is the total amount of junk mail for the week?" "If we get the same amount every week, how much will we have in a month?" "What percentage of our mail is junk?"

Here is a way to use junk mail to reinforce your child's math skills. Talk together about what junk mail is, and how to recognize it. Then, have your child collect your family's mail for a week and sort it into two stacks—one for junk mail, one for regular mail.

07/12/2025

Respond to questions by showing your child how to find answers

Most children like to ask questions. It's how they learn. But even if you know the answers, it's important to help your child learn how to locate information independently. Together, type your child’s question into an online search engine. (Why do zebras have stripes?) But don't stop there. Help your child think of related key words to look up (animal markings, camouflage). Show your child how to look for key words in book indexes, too.

Does your child elementary schooler love to ask questions? Questions are an essential step in learning. Your child’s questions also offer opportunities to improve reading and research skills.

07/11/2025

Cloud watching is a fun way to relax and learn together

On a hot, lazy summer day, take a blanket, some paper and a couple of pencils outside with your child. Lie down and watch the clouds. Do they remind you of anything? Talk about what you see. Sketch pictures of the clouds on the paper. Later, you and your child can learn about the types of clouds you saw. Or, perhaps just draw pictures of yourselves watching the clouds float by.

On a hot, hazy summer day, take a blanket, some paper and a couple of pencils outside with your child. Together, lie down and watch the clouds.

07/10/2025

Stay calm and consistent when mood swings strike

Is your child slamming doors and talking back? Gone from sweet to sassy overnight? These behaviors are a normal part of changing from a little kid into a big kid. The good news is, they're usually temporary. Don't overreact to your child's moodiness. Instead, calmly enforce your rules when behavior crosses the line. With your love and guidance, your child will pass through this rough spot.

Is your child suddenly slamming doors or talking back? Has your elementary schooler gone from sweet to sassy almost overnight? Relax! These behaviors are a normal part of changing from a little kid to a big kid. They are usually temporary.

07/09/2025

Go beyond words to motivate your child

Knowing that their families are cheering for them can help children keep trying in school and out. It's important to encourage your elementary schooler verbally, but it also helps to communicate in writing and with body language. Leave a note on your child’s pillow to say "I'm so proud of you" or "I'm here if you want to talk." Offer a hand squeeze when your child does something nice. And smile and hug your child…for no particular reason.

Children benefit from family support and approval. Knowing their families are cheering for them inspires kids to keep trying—in life and in school.

07/08/2025

Are you showing your child how to resolve differences respectfully?

The way you manage your response during a conflict sets an example for your child. When you get upset with someone, be a role model. Calm down by counting to 10, or agree to talk later when you're calm. Try to be honest about your feelings, and listen carefully to the other person's feelings. Remember to talk about the problem, rather than attack the person. Then, think of possible solutions and agree on what's fair.

It may not always seem like it, but children watch the adults around them closely. And when it comes to learning how to behave, they mimic what they see.

07/07/2025

Ask questions that encourage your child to think about reading

You can help your child get more out of reading by asking questions about the story. First, ask basic questions like, "What was the story about?" Then, help your child think more deeply by analyzing information in the story. You might ask, "Which character is most like you?" Finally, encourage your child to express opinions: "What do you think Goldilocks learned from going into the bears' house?"

You can help your child develop thinking skills just by asking questions. For example, after you read a story such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, ask your elementary schooler some basic questions about it, such as:

06/22/2025

Minimize arguments and maximize cooperation

Even the best-behaved children sometimes argue. To encourage cooperation from the outset, help your child develop self-discipline. Compliment good behavior, for example. If a task is within your child's capabilities, such as resolving minor spats with a sibling, let your child handle it. And be sure to enforce consequences for misbehavior consistently. When your child knows you mean what you say, it's less likely that testing you will seem worth the effort.

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