Parents Guide of Las Vegas

By Jincy Dean

Most teachers have encountered well-intentioned parents who believe that with the right teaching technique, their child has the potential to excel in all areas. They expect the teachers to be available for consultation at all times. They fix their child’s mistakes with hand- delivered lunches, faxed homework, and parental edits of homework assignments. Hence, creating students who are beautifully prepared academically but too fragile to survive away from home or have not developed the intrinsic pleasure in learning.

In these pressured times, when parents want academic perfection at early ages nothing helps a child succeed like an involved parent. Willingness from a child’s parent can work wonders in the classroom.

Parents want their children to succeed in school, but a parent’s role in that success should not be underestimated. In school as in life, consistent support from parents is crucial to sustaining a student’s confidence and sense of achievement.

A Cheerleader Role: Children thrive on encouragement. It’s just as important to support a child who doesn’t perform well as it is to congratulate them for success. Real learning is not based on reward, but on the value your child places on the process itself. It’s important to make something positive out of failure and to teach young children this vital skill. Help them see the importance of the “keep trying attitude”.

Be A Friend: Learning about math and reading isn’t the only struggle your child may face in school. Maybe they will have a problem with a group of friends, or a difficult situation on the playground maybe even the teacher. Sometimes what they really need is someone who is willing to hear what they’re thinking and that someone may be you. Extra stress decreases self-esteem and motivation. Listening respectfully can be a major confidence booster.

Be A Teacher: You can’t just leave it all up to the teacher. Of course it is their job, but event the best and brightest can be hard pressed to address the individual needs of every child regardless of the size of the classroom. Children need personal attention, so it is your role as the parent to provide that attention. Keep up with your child’s assignments, tests and ongoing projects. Show enthusiasm and show them helping is not a chore. Make a connection with your child’s teacher on a regular basis. Be active in getting your child extra help, if necessary.

Be The Enforcer: Sometimes you have got to be tough. But there’s more to it than just discipline. Help your child set and keep schedules, reach goals and complete assignments on time. Be respectful and unwavering with the basics and your child will catch on. These are a few ways you can help create a mutually respectful parent-school partnership.

Jincy Dean is the regional director for Christian Montessori Academy and is a nationally recognized childcare advocate. She is a member of numerous teaching and childcare organizations and is a past recipient of the Nevada “Mentor of Year”award.

Hazel & Shania

Above left, Hazel, left, wearing a sleek “Hannah Banana” Hooded Dress $85 (sizes 4-6X) with “Rachel Weissman” Swaroski Clips $14. Shania, right, enjoys a “Hannah Banana” Racerback Dress $78 (sizes 4-6X) with “Rachel Weissman” Swaroski Clips $14. Sizes 4-6x.

Above right, Hazel, left, teams a “Mim-pi” Floral Polo $34.00 with a Ruffle sleeve cardigan $64.00, Skirted leggings $62 (sizes 2-6X) and “Pattycakes Original” Flower Clip $10. Shania, right beams in a “Mim-pi” Girly Dress $78 (sizes 2-6X) and “Pattycakes” Original” Hair bow $4. Sizes 2-6x.

Micheal

Above left, Micheal styles Knuckleheads” Stripe Polo $42 and Skater Short $42. Size 2-8.

Above right, Micheal sports a “Knuckleheads” Skully snap front shirt $42 with Graphic Tee $28 and Skater short $44.00. Size 2-8.

Hazel & Shania and Micheal were photographed at Pattcakes, 9480 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 150, Las Vegas, NV 89123 (702) 492-0854 www.pattycakeskids.com

Dominick

Above left, Dominick “kicks it” in a Christian Autigier T‑shirt Tattoo Arms $70, Dragon pocket True Religion Brand Jeans $124, Ollie Leather Silver Eagle Cuff $38, Sand Castle Fedora $32, Geolambtric shoes by L.A.M.B. $68, Camo Peace Lunch bag by Gogogear $24, Camo Rolling Bag by Zuca $142.

Above right, Dominick preps in The Who T-shirt by Trunk $48, Melvin Shorts by Kingsley $59, Nevada Dice wristband $14, Marcus Nubuck shoes $66, Blue Skull Rolling Book Bag by gogogear $175.

Dominick and Ashley were photographed at Dreamalot Baby, 1930 Village Center, Suite 1, Las Vegas, NV 89134 (702) 207-2229 www.dreamalotbaby.com

Ashley

Above left, Ashley in a Hannah Banana Bejeweled Tank Tunic $79, Seven for all Mankind crop 7’s $110, Rachel Weisman Headband $14, Bottlecap Rock Star cuff bracelet $48, Blingalicious Princess Crown Converse $99, Zebra Backpack by Lipstik $75, and Zuca rolling bag $155.

Above right, Ashley in a Tye Dye Crop Pants $88 & Rib Waist Zip Hoodie $128 and School Essentials Kit $25 by Juicy Couture, Satin bow with rhinestone hair clip $8, B.F.F. wristband by I Dream of Johnny $14, Crystal Flip Flops by Palooka $45, and Lap Top/Messenger Bag by Faith Knight $49.

Photography by Allison Lewis of All About You Photography. Models provided by John Robert Powers.

By Randy Chalfin

Open any parent’s magazine, ask any pediatrician or ­pediatric orthopedist and you will get the same answer … The modern trend is to keep your child barefoot or in soft soled shoes until they are able to walk (10 to 12 steps or so, on their own). Some doctors even recommend soft soled shoes until kids are two years old. If your child is not able to walk barefoot, a shoe will not make him or her start to walk.

OK. Let’s assume for the purpose of this discussion that your child is walking. What size shoe will he or she wear? Shoe fitting is an art, not an exact science. Measuring both feet is just a jumping off point when it comes to fitting children’s shoes properly. The right size is the one that fits the best. In three different shoes, your child may wear three different sizes that all fit the same.

There is nothing automatic about “going one half size bigger.” Room to grow is good, but since all shoes are not made exactly the same, it is important for children to be fitted by a professional who can assess the fit of a particular pair of shoes on a particular child. What works for one two year old may not work for another. Going one half size bigger may be the right size, but there is nothing automatic about it. Also, just because a shoe is the right size does not necessarily mean that it is a good fit.

Children’s feet come in many sizes and shapes. It is important to find a shoe that fits properly, regardless of what size is stamped on the shoe.

Randy Chalfin, aka “The Shoeman,” is the owner of the Shoe Box in Henderson.

Carey Creel Roper

I am sure you have noticed the unavoidable school supplies displayed in stores around the valley. This means only one thing… summer is nearing an end. The time is quickly approaching for parents and students to start thinking about returning to school. There are several things that can help make the transition easier for  ­everyone.

One of the most important things is settling back into a routine a few weeks before school begins. Getting enough sleep is at the top of the list. Proper rest is paramount for your child to be successful not only at school but for extracurricular activities as well. Younger children need 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night. To ease the adjustment, gradually cut back on bedtime at fifteen minute intervals every night a week or two before school starts. When the first day of school approaches, the adjustment will be much easier for everyone involved.

Another important aspect in achieving a smooth transition back to school is setting up a schedule for homework and chores. Sit down and write down specific times for homework, chores, playtime, family time, baths, etc. Assign older siblings to mentor younger ones by drilling flash cards or reading with them. By having a visible, written schedule, everyone knows what their expected role is, and transitioning from summer to fall is much easier.

Going back to school means shopping for everything from backpacks to rulers. Don’t wait until the last minute or the first day of school to get your shopping done. By shopping early, you beat the crowds and you are sure to find everything in stock that your child needs. Get your “supply lists” from your school in advance and look for bargains in weekly mailers. Don’t forget to stock up on things you know you will use throughout the year such as lined paper, pencils, and glue sticks. This will save you time and money as the need arises throughout the year.

Summer is a great time to prepare your child physically to go back to school. Immunizations should be up-to-date along with check-ups at your doctor, optometrist, and dentist. Teenagers require physical exams to participate in fall sports. Take care of medical appointments in the summer, so valuable instructional time at school is not missed. Get copies of all pertinent health information that your school will need including medicine dispersion, etc.

Last, summer is a wonderful time for your family to set goals for the upcoming school year. Whether it is to improve a spelling grade or learn how to play the violin, setting goals will help your child mature and grow as the family works together for a common goal. Remember, setting up a routine “before” school begins is the key for a successful year at home and at school.

Carey Creel Roper is a regular contributor to PGLV and is the Academic Director for Cumorah Academy in Las Vegas.

Ms. May is our “Featured Teacher” for August. Ms. May has been teaching in the United States for the past 20 years. Originally from China she came to San Francisco to teach. Eventually she left California and come to Las Vegas. For the past three years she has been teaching the Pre-Kindergarten class at Top of the Class Learning Center.

Parents appreciate Ms. May’s exceptional teaching ability as well as the obvious love she has for each of the 16 or so students she teaches. When children graduate from Ms. May’s Pre-K program they meet the standards and requirements that make the next step to kindergarten much easier. Each of her kids are able to recognize the characters in the alphabet as well as connect the correct phonic sound to each of those characters. Pre-Kinders under Ms. May’s care also develop math skills, learn to cut paper and are able to write their name.

When asked what she likes best about teaching Ms. May says she enjoys seeing how they learn and grow so quickly. She compares her students to blank pieces of paper. At the end of the year there is “full color on each page.”

ParentsGuide of Las Vegas salutes Ms. May and all other selfless teachers for a job well done!

“Ms. May and Trista Laino (School Director) pose with the most recent “Top of the Class” Pre-K graduates.”

If you would like to nominate a teacher to receive the “Featured Teacher” award please e-mail the name of the teacher to editor@parentsguidelv.com and in 250 words or less explain why you think your nomination should be considered. If your nominated teacher is selected you will be notified prior to publication.