Preparing Your Child for the New School Year: What Every Parent Should Know

The start of a new school year is often met with a mix of excitement and trepidation, both for parents and students alike. As the academic landscape continues to evolve, it's crucial for parents to be proactive in understanding the curriculum and ensuring that their child is prepared for the year ahead. Let's delve into some of the pivotal areas parents should be aware of, including emerging subjects and instructional techniques.

1. Understanding the Curriculum Every school or district generally offers an outline of the curriculum for each grade. It’s a good idea to acquaint yourself with this roadmap. This gives you an idea of what subjects will be covered, and when.
2. Critical Race Theory There's been much debate and discussion around Critical Race Theory (CRT). It's a framework from the field of legal studies that examines society and culture as they relate to categorizations of race, law, and power. If your school has chosen to incorporate CRT or elements of it into the curriculum, it's essential to understand its basics and the rationale behind its inclusion. Open dialogue with educators will help parents grasp its context within the broader curriculum. In my opinion, in most cases, it is detrimental to impart this ideology to young children because it is too politically motivated to one side.
3. Addressing Gender Today’s classroom is becoming more inclusive, addressing a broader spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations. It’s crucial for parents to be aware of how schools are teaching these subjects. Conversations about gender identity can start as early as kindergarten. This too, in my opinion, is something that is not appropriate for young children, and could potentially be detrimental to their natural development.
4. Math Instruction The way math is taught has undergone significant changes over the years. Techniques like "Common Core" in the US have transformed traditional methods into more comprehensive problem-solving approaches. While it may seem different from how many parents learned math, the objective remains the same: to provide students with a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Parents often have a difficult time understanding common core, and I am more of a traditionalist: teach math as it has always been taught. From my initial observations, common core does not seem to increase math aptitude and scores, so as a parent, you must research this and make the appropriate choices for your kids.
5. Preparing for the Next Grade

• Stay Involved: Engage in regular communication with teachers and school administrators. Attend PTA meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and school events.
• Supplemental Learning: Consider extracurricular activities or tutors if you feel your child might benefit from additional academic support.
• Summer Learning: Avoid the summer slide by engaging in academic activities during the break. This could be reading, educational games, or visiting museums.
• Emotional Preparation: Transitioning to a new grade can be overwhelming. Discuss any anxieties or concerns with your child, offering reassurance and guidance.
• Establish Routines: A consistent schedule, particularly for younger children, helps ease the transition. This includes a steady bedtime, morning routine, and homework time.

In Conclusion

As parents, our role is to support and guide our children through their educational journey. Being informed about the evolving curriculum and being equipped to answer the challenging questions our kids might pose ensures we're active participants in their learning experience. While the landscape of education might be changing, our goal remains constant: to provide our children with the best possible foundation for their future. And remember, ultimately, our kids are our responsibility and we should be the decision-makers in terms of how and what they are taught!