Essence Magazine published an article this month (February issue, page 99) about the role that parents play in the life of their child’s education. The article did not surprise me. We need more commentary that focuses on education and educating our youth. I remember visiting Europe during the late 1980s and the tour guide was in bragging mode. She explained to us U.S. tourists that the school-aged students (from her town) spoke at least four different languages. Back then, I was impressed by this. There were five year olds running around, speaking French, English and any other language that was taught in school. Although, I was younger, still in high school at that time, I thought about education in our country.

Our students struggle to make good grades. An A grade is identified with the “smart, geeky” kids. IN this great country of ours –The unstoppable, United States of America it’s not normal to have a room filled with honor roll students. If this is the case, then that particular class is –titled “honors.” Or we place students in classes titled “AP” which stands for Advanced Placement.

Nonetheless, it’s imperative for us to talk about educating our children. Essence Magazine, is not the only publication that publishes articles which are designed to educate us parents.

What Parents can do

Read these types of articles. Play games with your children- learning games. I remember my grandmother told us that she taught Math to her seven children, by having them in the kitchen with her, while she baked. ½ or ¼ cup of this or that… this is what her children learned…while at home. Not only that, but by all accounts the Holt children became great cooks too!

You do not need to be an educator to teach your children. You do not have to be an honor roll student yourself …to teach your children.

I encourage parents to review homework with their students. Make completing your children’s homework a family event. Also I encourage parents to read to their children.  It’s an half an hour time out of your day. When it comes to your highschooler make sure you review their notebooks. This is IMPORTANT! Evaluate the type of notes your student takes. Learning the essentials of note taking especially in high school is important. The kids with the notes, make the good grades! I’ll be publishing articles about note taking for high school students as well. I know how important it is. In addition, since I’ve worked with K-12 students for years I know a thing or two about smart kids.

Smart kids study. Smart kids have good study habits. Smart kids review homework not in class, not after class, but at home. Smart kids have parents who look over their homework and encourage them to do their very best.

What is your child or high school student reading today? Moreover, what are you reading to them? Let’s talk!

Like this article? Make sure you grab a copy of my upcoming book! The BEST in the Class is my new book, coming out Summer 2012! About a southern teacher who enters the NYC Teaching Fellows program and makes her way from Upright, Tennessee all the way to a NYC public school.

One of the biggest fears parents have about their children heading off to college is that time and money will go to waste. It’s not uncommon for a high school senior to have uncertainties about claiming a college major. Not only that, it’s not uncommon for your high school student to say: I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Heck, I still ask myself that question: Miko what do YOU want to be when you grow up?!

I have a game that I believe will help parents encourage their students to think about life after college. Landing a job that pays well after graduation is a dream come true, for many.

The “Pretend You Already Graduated” game helped my daughter Dominica, figure out what she wanted to do with her adult life. “Pretend You Already Graduated” is a job hunting game” I created. Here’s how the game is played:

Have your student list five or six careers. Even if the jobs are silly, there is a point to this exercise. I recommend that parents just go with the flow. For example, one of my best girlfriends played the game with her daughter. Her daughter’s first career choice listed was to be a gardener. Since her daughter loved the outdoors and loved planting flowers, she thought that being a gardener was a great career move.  Some kids are so ambitious huh!

Have the newspaper “Classified” Ads ready. The help wanted ads are used for your student to search for jobs in his/her desired career fields. Let your student start with the first top three jobs. I encouraged my daughter, Dominica to use Monster and Indeed.com to pull up job leads each day

Once your student locates job postings, tell him/her to jot down job requirements for each posting found

On a separate sheet of paper titled “Job Leads” they can list each requirement

Perform the “Pretend You Already Gradated” game for one whole week

At the end of the week, sit down with your student and review what he or she has found

Dominica’s career list didn’t surprise me nor was I scared! Thank Goodness! For example, her first career choice was “nurse anesthetist.” After researching, she found that this career move was a good one and will undoubtedly be quite lucrative. Since, my mother was a nurse I believe Dominica wants to follow her career path.

The logic of the game is to have your student see a true picture of today’s job market. Although, after college graduation, things might change for some careers---most likely the job market will remain steady. If your student has a hard time finding solid job leads, within his/her top three careers then this could be problematic. Working with high school seniors and helping them figure out what they ultimately want to do, and whether or not their choices are lucrative career moves –is not the responsibility of the high school guidance counselor. Parents get involved and play the LET’S “Pretend You Already Graduated” game! Believe me it works! Tell me your thoughts; I’d love to hear your input.