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Showing posts with label parenting children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenting children. Show all posts
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Parents Universal Resource Experts - Sue Scheff: Parents Helping Stop Bullying and School Violence
Parents Universal Resource Experts (Sue Scheff): Love our Children USA offers help for kids and parents today with all the issues they face. Bullying, cyberbullying and school violence is part of what our children may face. Learn more here.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Parents Universal Resource Experts (Sue Scheff) Acting White
“If you dress too proper, with your shirt tucked in and stuff, they’ll probably say you act too white.”
– student Diijon Dacosta, 20
For many American teenagers, one of the ways to be unpopular in high school is to be an “A” student. In fact, in some schools, doing your homework every day, studying hard and getting good grades has a controversial label. Some call it, “acting white.”
Lindsay, 15, knows the pressure to be cool. “If you’re really smart, they might think of you as a nerd or something,” she says.
Will they say you’re a nerd, a dork, a bookworm …or acting white?
“If you dress too proper, with your shirt tucked in and stuff, they’ll probably say you act too white,” says 20-year-old Diijon Dacosta.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University surveyed 166 middle and high school students from both the inner city and the suburbs. The students said that “acting white” often meant “getting good grades, joining clubs, being a leader.”
Students also talked about “acting black.”
“That would include … not studying, not doing homework, not joining various honor societies or other school projects. I think it is all part of that identity,” says Don Rice, Ph.D., psychologist.
He says that one problem is the culture doesn’t celebrate African Americans who are well educated or well spoken.
“Very seldom does one think of a black kid as being smart or geeky in that sense, and they’re not getting the messages through television, they’re not getting the messages through movies,” says Rice.
Rice adds that the media help set expectations in a child’s mind, and low expectations can lead to low performance.
"They don't really see the opportunities, they don't see how sitting down and learning algebra can lead to something that would be a better life,” explains Rice.
"It's easier to just say forget about it and forget your school work than it is to actually go through with the whole process and do good in school,” says Omyrie, 16.
Still, experts say that inside all children, there is a desire to learn and achieve.
"It’s a matter of finding what it is these kids want out of life and to show them how to get it,” says Rice.
Tips for Parents
– student Diijon Dacosta, 20
For many American teenagers, one of the ways to be unpopular in high school is to be an “A” student. In fact, in some schools, doing your homework every day, studying hard and getting good grades has a controversial label. Some call it, “acting white.”
Lindsay, 15, knows the pressure to be cool. “If you’re really smart, they might think of you as a nerd or something,” she says.
Will they say you’re a nerd, a dork, a bookworm …or acting white?
“If you dress too proper, with your shirt tucked in and stuff, they’ll probably say you act too white,” says 20-year-old Diijon Dacosta.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University surveyed 166 middle and high school students from both the inner city and the suburbs. The students said that “acting white” often meant “getting good grades, joining clubs, being a leader.”
Students also talked about “acting black.”
“That would include … not studying, not doing homework, not joining various honor societies or other school projects. I think it is all part of that identity,” says Don Rice, Ph.D., psychologist.
He says that one problem is the culture doesn’t celebrate African Americans who are well educated or well spoken.
“Very seldom does one think of a black kid as being smart or geeky in that sense, and they’re not getting the messages through television, they’re not getting the messages through movies,” says Rice.
Rice adds that the media help set expectations in a child’s mind, and low expectations can lead to low performance.
"They don't really see the opportunities, they don't see how sitting down and learning algebra can lead to something that would be a better life,” explains Rice.
"It's easier to just say forget about it and forget your school work than it is to actually go through with the whole process and do good in school,” says Omyrie, 16.
Still, experts say that inside all children, there is a desire to learn and achieve.
"It’s a matter of finding what it is these kids want out of life and to show them how to get it,” says Rice.
Tips for Parents
“Children can't achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets, and eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is ‘acting white.’" (Sen. Barack Obama)
“Education starts at home. Teach your children the benefits of a good education -- have them visit college campuses, talk to professionals in your neighborhood, and get involved in clubs and activities at school.” (Don Rice, Ph.D., professor of psychology)
“It’s not measures of popularity or social success that predict achievement in college or the business world, but academic achievement itself that is the best predictor.” (Marla Shapiro, licensed psychologist)
“Part of the achievement gap, particularly for gifted black students, is due to the poor image these students have of themselves as learners,” says Donna Ford, professor of special education and Betts Chair of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, and author of the study on “acting white and acting black.” “Our research shows that prevention and intervention programs that focus on improving students’ achievement ethic and self-image are essential to closing the achievement gap.”
References
Fryer and Torelli, National Bureau of Economic Research: An Empirical Analysis of “Acting White’”
The Century Foundation: Equality and Education
Vanderbilt University’s News Network
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Sue Scheff: Teaching Empathy in Schools - by Connect with Kids
“Students come out the other side not only with a better education in the subject areas, but they are better citizens.”
– Paul Weimer, director, Character Education Partnership
The No Child Left Behind federal act has many students spending the majority of their day reading, writing and practicing math. However, a new study finds that character education, anti-bullying efforts and lessons in respecting and empathizing with others can actually raise children’s test scores.
“Most of my lessons of character and respect … I learned at home from my mom and my dad,” says Maceo, 13.
But now some schools are teaching lessons about empathy, cooperation and caring about others.
“Okay, what is kindness?” asks a teacher to her student.
Researchers at the University of Illinois analyzed the findings of more than 200 studies. They found that when schools help kids learn to manage their emotions and practice empathy and caring, both their behavior and their grades improve.
“Students come out the other side not only with a better education in the subject areas, but they are better citizens,” says Paul Weimer, director, Character Education Partnership.
But some students say you don’t learn emotional skills with a lecture.
“If they just force us to sit here and understand, it’s going to be sort of hard,” says Susan, 13.
Instead, experts say character skills and emotional growth come with practice.
In one outreach program, high school students spend time with younger kids who need a little help.
“It’s a chance for kids to show that there is character there, ” says Mik, 17.
“What we’re hoping is by making this prevalent in our curriculum, by infusing it into the curriculum and mentioning these words again and again, that our students will hear this, internalize it and they will in turn do these things automatically,” says Nancy Zarovsky, teacher.
Experts say that while character education at school is always helpful, it is considerably less effective if the child’s family and community don’t teach or support those same values.
Tips for Parents
– Paul Weimer, director, Character Education Partnership
The No Child Left Behind federal act has many students spending the majority of their day reading, writing and practicing math. However, a new study finds that character education, anti-bullying efforts and lessons in respecting and empathizing with others can actually raise children’s test scores.
“Most of my lessons of character and respect … I learned at home from my mom and my dad,” says Maceo, 13.
But now some schools are teaching lessons about empathy, cooperation and caring about others.
“Okay, what is kindness?” asks a teacher to her student.
Researchers at the University of Illinois analyzed the findings of more than 200 studies. They found that when schools help kids learn to manage their emotions and practice empathy and caring, both their behavior and their grades improve.
“Students come out the other side not only with a better education in the subject areas, but they are better citizens,” says Paul Weimer, director, Character Education Partnership.
But some students say you don’t learn emotional skills with a lecture.
“If they just force us to sit here and understand, it’s going to be sort of hard,” says Susan, 13.
Instead, experts say character skills and emotional growth come with practice.
In one outreach program, high school students spend time with younger kids who need a little help.
“It’s a chance for kids to show that there is character there, ” says Mik, 17.
“What we’re hoping is by making this prevalent in our curriculum, by infusing it into the curriculum and mentioning these words again and again, that our students will hear this, internalize it and they will in turn do these things automatically,” says Nancy Zarovsky, teacher.
Experts say that while character education at school is always helpful, it is considerably less effective if the child’s family and community don’t teach or support those same values.
Tips for Parents
Whether we’re feeling empathy when a loved one endures pain, or feeling relief from pain due to a placebo, pain-sensitive regions of our brains are at work — either creating or diminishing the experience of human pain. (MSNBC)
“The ability to “tune in” and empathize with others is a prerequisite for understanding, attachment, bonding and love — all of which are important for our survival,” says Tania Singer, Department of Imaging Neuroscience at University College, London.
Social understanding and social responsibility build on children's desire to understand and feel effective in the social world, to maintain connection with others and to reach out to those in distress. (American Association of School Administrators, AASA)
References
MSNBC
Tania Singer, Department of Imaging Neuroscience at University College, London
American Association of School Administrators (AASA)
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