Parenting Tips:

Nurturing Connections Through Conscious Discipline: Embracing ‘Connect Before Correct’

Partnering with North Country Education Services, we provided an online program for 33 parents/caregivers to learn about Conscious Discipline. This series includes 10 video lessons lasting about 10 hours, focusing on tools to manage emotions. Prioritizing empathy and listening helps parents connect with their children, fostering trust and communication. The approach encourages positive discipline techniques for self-control, cooperation, and social-emotional skills in children. Through Conscious Discipline, parents not only improve relationships with their kids but also support their overall development for success. One valuable tip is “Connect Before Correct,” which stresses connecting with your child emotionally before addressing misbehavior. This bond helps children feel understood, making them more open to guidance and discipline while strengthening the parent-child relationship.

Navigating the Spring Slump: Prioritizing Attendance for Student Success

Attendance Works is a great resource for parents, caregivers, and educators to learn about and combat the issue of chronic absenteeism. Chronic absence — missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absence for any reason—excused, unexcused absences and suspensions—can translate into students having difficulty learning to read by the third grade, achieving in middle school, and graduating from high school. This month, we are highlighting the importance of attendance and the need to address “Spring Slump.” Spring Slump is the downward trend of daily attendance which starts around spring break and continues through the end of the school year. Our tip this month is to finish off the year strong by sending your students to school every day, as long as they are healthy, and encouraging them to show up to class when school is in session. Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn and connect to peers and their teachers.  

MORE ABOUT ATTENDANCE WORKS

Combat Summer Learning Loss to Reduce the Summer Slide

This month, we’re focusing on summer learning loss, a persistent challenge for parents worried about their children falling behind academically during school breaks. New data shows that summer learning makes up a big part of the educational support spending from the American Rescue Plan, with districts set to spend $5.8 billion on summer programs by September 2024.

Survey data from 2022 found that 70% of districts are expanding their summer offerings due to the pandemic. Summer programs reinforce academics and also provide socialization, mentoring, and new experiences. Regular attendance in summer programming is a barrier to success: Only 13% of students in the surveyed districts took part in summer programs. To tackle this problem, it’s essential to involve families. This edition offers FREE resources to help parents and caregivers boost their child’s academic performance for the next school year at home.

From the Community:

Maneuvering Through The Maze 2022

This month, Jen Cunha, from the Parent Information Center, shared many helpful resources on their website, focusing on “Maneuvering Through the Maze.” This resource covers services from birth to adulthood, including health agencies, educational resources, and other organizations assisting individuals and families with various health conditions. They also included general services like housing and childcare for all state residents.

READ MANEUVERING THROUGH THE MAZE

Mental Health Awareness

Join Dr. Kate Murphy in a talk about social media’s impact on student mental health. Learn how social media affects well-being and find ways to help students.

This FREE webinar from Plymouth State University is for educators who want to learn more about important topics. PSU faculty will give useful tips for teachers, counselors, and administrators. Gain new tools and resources for your work from this session

Webinar Recordings Are Available Here

New Hampshire Childcare Scholarship
Rolling Deadline

Listen to an informative episode of the New Hampshire Family NOW podcast to discover how the Childcare Scholarship can make a difference in your family’s life!

This scholarship is designed to alleviate the cost of child care for parents who are currently working, seeking employment, or enrolled in a training program. With 11 convenient District Offices across New Hampshire ready to assist families in applying for child care support, we strive to ensure that every eligible child receives the care they deserve. Please keep in mind that there may be a waitlist for child care assistance.

The program offers two-generational work support through early childhood and after-school child care services for qualifying families with children aged from birth to 13 years old, extending up to 17 years old for children with disabilities who are enrolled before turning 13. Tune in to the New Hampshire Family NOW podcast and take the first step by applying for the scholarship today!

Listen to the podcast
Apply for the scholarship

FREE Summer Program Opportunities

It is never too late to start exploring summer programs for students. There are plenty of resources available to help you find the perfect fit and our comprehensive guide can assist you in navigating the various options out there, ensuring you make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and interests.  

Check out the PACE guide, UNH Manchester Tech Camp, and NH NSTI – middle and high school student STEM. 

Embark on your summer planning journey today!

VIEW THE FREE PACE SUMMER PROGRAM GUIDE

PBS Kids – Activities & Lesson Plans

Explore a variety of activities and lessons from PBS Kids to enrich your child’s summer learning experience. For educators, enhance your teaching strategies and advocate continuous learning with the help of PBS Kids, designed to inspire curiosity and critical thinking in students.

ACCESS THE LESSON PLANS

PBS KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITY BOOKLET