1) You can build their confidence by
recalling to them some of their past suc-
cesses.
2) Around your home and in your
children’s rooms, display photos and
trophies of past triumphs, which can in-
spire them to try harder.
3) Avoid saying, “Don’t be ner-
vous” to your children before a big
event. Instead, help them focus on how
lucky they are to be able to showcase
their skills.
4) Encourage them to follow a set
routine before competing. It will help
them do better.
5) Before an event, encourage them
to play the music that improves their
mood and energy level.
Common Problems
Children Have in
Elementary School
Question: What actually are some
of the most common problems kids have
in elementary school? – Problem Solver
Answer: You have asked a very
open question; however, research tends
to show the following list:
INDOOR GARDEN PARTY continued...
challenge for age of guests and pre-tear
newspaper into throwable sizes. Each
guest throws so many each until paper
ball supply is exhausted. Take down
plastic spiders to award as rewards af-
terwards. Seed packets in a colored plant-
Pin The Ladybugs On The Flower Gardening gloves with seed
ing can with wooden garden
marker.
packets.
Disposable berry pint with
strawberry starters and wooden
garden marker.
Small garden shovel with seed
packets.
Small garden tools in cloth
apron.
Garden-theme
mugs from
the dollar store with berry tea
packets.
Potted pansy wrapped in col-
ored foil tied with a ribbon.
Bee Toss
Purchase yellow pom-poms, plastic
googly eyes and a black marker at the
craft supply store. Stick two googly eyes
onto each pom-pom and draw two black
lines across each to resemble Bumble
Bees. Line up plastic or terra cotta flow-
erpots six inches from a wall and fill
halfway with plastic toys, fruit leather, or
small bags of gummy chews. Adjust dis-
tance from targets depending on age of
guest. Let guests take 5-10 turns to toss a
bee in a pot and win a prize from it.
Parents should send questions and com-
ments to dearteacher@dearteacher. com
or to the Dear Teacher website. Find favor supplies at the dollar or
craft store. Use grosgrain or burlap rib-
bon to tie items together:
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Seed packets in a small water-
Draw a large flower with markers
on posterboard and tape it to the wall.
Or cut out construction paper pieces and
use a glue stick to compose a flower on
posterboard. Print out clipart ladybugs
(like these https://goo.gl/S3gMEQ)
and glue stick them to adhesive foam
sheets. Cut into squares ahead of time.
Use bandanas as blindfolds. Peel back-
ing off when it’s each child’s turn. Spin
child and point in direction of the flower.
The ladybug closest to the center of the
flower wins.
Declining grades
A lack of organizational skills
Poor study skills
Inability to concentrate
Unable to get along with others
Reading and math achievement
below grade level
Poor test taking skills
Homework troubles
Poor listener
Weak vocabulary
Writing skills below grade level
Unidentified learning disability
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ing pot with wooden garden
marker.
Non-Candy Favor Ideas
Small pull-tie bag with seed
bombs (mix seed bomb matrix
with local wildflower seeds one
week ahead of party https://
goo.gl/D4ggya).
Pull-tie bag with rubber snakes,
plastic spiders and bugs.
Small fairy doll, all ready to
move into her fairy garden.
Author, journalist and writing coach
Christina Katz has learned that birthday
parties don’t have to be expensive to be
fun. She also knows that focusing on a
theme can help parents pull a party to-
gether quickly.
January 2019 WNY Family 43