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Fresh mozzarella and asiago ravioli with creamy tomato vegetable sauce
1 package fresh won ton skins (see note) 1 8-ounce. container fresh mozzarella, pearl size, if larger, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1 cup shredded Asiago cheese water for sealing edges a few teaspoons... More
1 package fresh won ton skins (see note) 1 8-ounce. container fresh mozzarella, pearl size, if larger, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1 cup shredded Asiago cheese water for sealing edges a few teaspoons... More
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A little planning and praise go a long way
Posted on Tue, September 1st, 2009
Written by: Kitchen Table Time ,
email: kitchentabletime@gmail.com
By Carol Smith, Joyce Thomas
and Felicia Bordick
“Here comes the school bus! Hurry up, you’re going to be late! Let’s go, you’re going to make me late, and I have to get to work! Just put this on NOW – we don’t have time! What do you mean you need that for school today? Why didn’t you tell me last night?”
Sound familiar? It’s a common refrain in homes across the Capital District once the back-to-school schedule kicks in. Let’s sit down together at the kitchen table and talk about how important it is for parents, not just children, to be ready for a positive school experience. The kitchen table needs to be your port in the storm – use it to your advantage.
The kitchen table is more than just a place to eat or do homework. It's important for families to make it a place to talk, catch up and get organized. Set a consistent time to open up that book bag every day together at the kitchen table. Go through everything with your child; you will be surprised at the conversations that will ensue. Praise your children’s efforts when you look at their work, even if it doesn’t meet your expectations. Corrections come best with words of praise, such as "I like the way you tried to write your name. You are working so hard,” or “Oops, I see you made a few mistakes that the teacher corrected, but look at all of the ones you did correctly. I am very proud of you.”
Read all correspondence from the teacher with your child. It is so much easier to have things ready when you do it together. Mark your calendar with important dates, and have a calendar for your child as well. Use symbols if your child is too young to read, and use the calendar every day. Planning together and getting organized only takes minutes.
Most importantly, answer the teacher’s letters and requests immediately. Have a special folder that your child has selected and maybe even decorated, to use for parent-teacher correspondence. Have your child place the response in the folder and put it in the book bag for delivery the next day. Children get very upset when the teacher asks them if they brought back whatever was requested, and the parent forgot. Avoid these embarrassing moments for your child by getting organized.
Let your kitchen table be a place of order and a welcome haven for you and your child.
Parents, especially those of you new to the school experience, do you feel anxious about the school? Do you have questions about what your child’s school journey will be like? We’ve been there – as moms and teachers. E-mail your questions to us at kitchentabletime@gmail.com, and we will try to answer them in upcoming columns.
Here are a few tips to make the year ahead a happy and positive experience for all.
The night before:
• Plan and prepare the lunch box and snack.
• Help your child to pick out clothes.
• Put the clothes out for easy dressing in the morning.
• Make sure the book bag is packed and ready to go.
• Give your child time to take a bath.
• Give yourself time to relax with your child and read a story.
• Allow your child time to talk with you about school.
That morning:
• Give yourself and your child time so that you are not rushing.
• Everything should be ready from the night before.
• Have a good breakfast ready for your child.
• Go over your child’s schedule for that day with him or her. Is it a library day, a gym day, etc.? Will he or she be buying lunch?
• Make sure faces are clean, hands are washed and teeth are brushed.
• Be positive and reassuring.
• Tell your child how proud you and how much you love him or her.
• Tell your child how you can’t wait to hear all about his or her day in school.
• Walk your child to the bus stop or school if possible.
The authors have a combined 75 years of teaching experience in kindergarten, first, second and third grade in area schools. Their book, “Hey Kids, What Time Is It? It’s Kitchen Table Time!” can be found at I Love Books in Delmar and The Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza, Guilderland.
You can contact kitchentabletime@gmail.com with any questions. Also, feel free to post comments below.
Readers had this to say
Nobody has made any comments about this yet... you could be the first. Comment about this article.
Posted on Tue, September 1st, 2009
Written by: Kitchen Table Time ,
email: kitchentabletime@gmail.com
By Carol Smith, Joyce Thomas
and Felicia Bordick
“Here comes the school bus! Hurry up, you’re going to be late! Let’s go, you’re going to make me late, and I have to get to work! Just put this on NOW – we don’t have time! What do you mean you need that for school today? Why didn’t you tell me last night?”
Sound familiar? It’s a common refrain in homes across the Capital District once the back-to-school schedule kicks in. Let’s sit down together at the kitchen table and talk about how important it is for parents, not just children, to be ready for a positive school experience. The kitchen table needs to be your port in the storm – use it to your advantage.
The kitchen table is more than just a place to eat or do homework. It's important for families to make it a place to talk, catch up and get organized. Set a consistent time to open up that book bag every day together at the kitchen table. Go through everything with your child; you will be surprised at the conversations that will ensue. Praise your children’s efforts when you look at their work, even if it doesn’t meet your expectations. Corrections come best with words of praise, such as "I like the way you tried to write your name. You are working so hard,” or “Oops, I see you made a few mistakes that the teacher corrected, but look at all of the ones you did correctly. I am very proud of you.”
Read all correspondence from the teacher with your child. It is so much easier to have things ready when you do it together. Mark your calendar with important dates, and have a calendar for your child as well. Use symbols if your child is too young to read, and use the calendar every day. Planning together and getting organized only takes minutes.
Most importantly, answer the teacher’s letters and requests immediately. Have a special folder that your child has selected and maybe even decorated, to use for parent-teacher correspondence. Have your child place the response in the folder and put it in the book bag for delivery the next day. Children get very upset when the teacher asks them if they brought back whatever was requested, and the parent forgot. Avoid these embarrassing moments for your child by getting organized.
Let your kitchen table be a place of order and a welcome haven for you and your child.
Parents, especially those of you new to the school experience, do you feel anxious about the school? Do you have questions about what your child’s school journey will be like? We’ve been there – as moms and teachers. E-mail your questions to us at kitchentabletime@gmail.com, and we will try to answer them in upcoming columns.
Here are a few tips to make the year ahead a happy and positive experience for all.
The night before:
• Plan and prepare the lunch box and snack.
• Help your child to pick out clothes.
• Put the clothes out for easy dressing in the morning.
• Make sure the book bag is packed and ready to go.
• Give your child time to take a bath.
• Give yourself time to relax with your child and read a story.
• Allow your child time to talk with you about school.
That morning:
• Give yourself and your child time so that you are not rushing.
• Everything should be ready from the night before.
• Have a good breakfast ready for your child.
• Go over your child’s schedule for that day with him or her. Is it a library day, a gym day, etc.? Will he or she be buying lunch?
• Make sure faces are clean, hands are washed and teeth are brushed.
• Be positive and reassuring.
• Tell your child how proud you and how much you love him or her.
• Tell your child how you can’t wait to hear all about his or her day in school.
• Walk your child to the bus stop or school if possible.
The authors have a combined 75 years of teaching experience in kindergarten, first, second and third grade in area schools. Their book, “Hey Kids, What Time Is It? It’s Kitchen Table Time!” can be found at I Love Books in Delmar and The Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza, Guilderland.
You can contact kitchentabletime@gmail.com with any questions. Also, feel free to post comments below.
Readers had this to say
Nobody has made any comments about this yet... you could be the first. Comment about this article.