Introducing Guest Blogger Melissa Wheeler-Vega. She’s a teacher, mom, and wife who is leading her children’s path to educational success!

  Guest Blogger Fridays are here! Today we are going to discuss some quick steps on how to educate your child.  Melissa Wheeler Vega, teacher, mom, and wife is going to share some great tips and advice (from the teacher’s perspective) on how to get active in your child’s education.   Thank you Melissa for joining us on Successfulmommyadvice.com!  Here are the questions parents really want to know, and need to hear in order to help their kids succeed; both in and out of school.

Melissa, thanks again for coming on as a guest blogger.  As a teacher and parent, What are some of the biggest misconceptions about a child’s grades and GPA, why is this so important at a young age?

One misconception many parents have is that grades are the only indicator of a child’s intelligence. This is incorrect, because children must learn how to be “good test takers.”  Children may know the content but the test format or test question can mislead them. This is why it is important to teach your child Test Taking Strategies.  Teaching them the “skills,” of test taking can increase their GPA because they have learned how to apply their knowledge of the content and have become a better test taker.

Awesome response to the question.  I never realized the importance of test taking and the strategies behind it.  So let’s begin with the next question, What are some tips or advice you have for parents when it comes to educating their children?

            One good tip I can give parents about teaching their child is to incorporate learning in everyday life scenarios. This way the learning is disguised and the child doesn’t feel like  they are learning all the time. So have your child write the grocery list or manage their own money. I like to use subtraction stories when we are talking about how many days left until we go on vacation or until Christmas. Take that opportunity with your child and embrace each “teachable moment,” in your child’s day.

Interesting way to look at education, kids are very sensitive to learning they learn something new every day.  I agree with your “teachable moments” It’s important to grasp every aspect of your time and the day.  So, Do you see a difference in children when their parents are doing their parts at home, how?

            Responsibility at home will roll over in the classroom! If the child is taught responsibility   at home they will be a more responsible student in the classroom, in return, getting better    grades. These students are responsibly finishing their assignments and feel their own  learning is their own responsibility. It builds stronger students! Especially with the big   class numbers, teachers are expecting children to become responsible earlier.  Do your child a favor and instill in them the importance of responsibility, it can be a skill that will help them thrive in life.

Responsibility in my opinion is super important regardless of age.  They need to understand independence and how it impacts them even when they are younger.  My son has daily chores and responsibilities, I think that this has taught him to be more independent over the last year.   How do you encourage parents to stay or get active in their children’s education?

            Telling parents the facts on how much their influence in their child’s education can be  encouraging enough for some parents. The outcome when a parent is involved in their child’s education can be amazing! However not every parent believes they have the time to be involved as much as they would want to be. I usually give my busy parents two  simple ways they can be involved in their child’s education.

1.     Communicate with Teacher

            Email is the best way now to communicate, and it’s fast and easy for both parties.  A quick email here and there lets your child and the teacher know you care about their education.

2.     Homework Policy

            By knowing what their teacher’s homework policy it makes sure everyone knows the  expectations. Require your children to finish their homework so it relays the importance of homework in their education. Children who do homework get better grades. Many parents don’t have time to sit down with their child to help them, but try just checking their work when they complete it. By knowing what their homework is you will be more aware what they are learning in the classroom.

            Here it is successful mommies, directly from a teacher/mom.   I think what I took away from this interview is that school and education begins at home with YOU.  As parents its our job to focus on what their needs, weaknesses, and strengths.  Melissa, these tips you provided us with are priceless, I know that I will take this advice with me as begin my journey in education for my children.  Looking forward to hearing from you again. 

            Thanks for stopping by and remember to share this blog with other mommies out there.  We need to support each other so together we can continue to strive for mommy success!