In this blog, child education specialist Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready reviews the importance of class newsletters for the minds of young children.
In this day and age, it is incredibly important for parents and educators to be on the same page when it comes to the child’s progress. Milestones, no matter how small, need to be acknowledged and celebrated, especially during the child’s early years. Studies have shown that positive reinforcement builds confidence and emotional intelligence in children, laying a strong foundation for their future self.
A Bridge Between Home and School
What is a newsletter? For starters, it is more than just a weekly or bimonthly update. It is a bridge connecting the school with the home. Newsletters let the parents know about their child’s behavior in the classroom, progress, shortcomings, and everything else.
Because the brain is still developing, children may struggle in translating their thoughts or experiences into clear and accurate words. For this purpose, a newsletter acts as a communication tool, letting the parents know what has transpired during the week.
Kinder Ready Tutoring champions this mode of communication, emphasizing on parents and teachers being in sync when it comes to the children’s progress.
Making Learning Visible
During the early years, learning is not just limited to textbooks or a strict curriculum. A child learns from everywhere, be it during playtime or from the company of peers, even picking up things from the adults around them.
A class newsletter offers a chance for parents to catch the glimpses of these learning moments, in their true spirit. Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready says that using photos in newsletters presents a much better approach for parents to witness the behavior of their child when they are not around. It also gives the teachers a chance to demonstrate that all learning objectives are being met successfully, and more importantly, in a fun way.
Building Parent Confidence
Another key benefit of having a class newsletter is how it empowers parents in a way that they feel like they are a part of their child’s learning journey. With regular updates of what the child is being taught and how, parents gain the confidence necessary to support their child’s development.
Moreover, Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready says that newsletters should also include tips and strategies for parents for at-home learning. This can include exercises, or books, or even conversation topics – the addition of which transforms updates into opportunities for parent-child interaction.
Encouraging Social-Emotional Growth
Along with academics and general knowledge, a child is also learning socially and emotionally. Whether it is interacting with friends during playtime or learning how to process emotions in a healthy way, the class newsletters give the parents an opportunity to witness this growth and aid in any shortcomings.
Kinder Ready Tutoring, under the guidance of Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready, emphasizes on the social-emotional growth of the children. Educators can make a theme of weeks like “Friendship Week” or have a “Feelings Friday” where they converse with children about their emotions.
Conclusion: A Simple Tool with Lasting Impact
The best newsletter, in the opinion of Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready, is the one that depicts the happenings of the week in an accurate and exciting tone. Educators can create humble class newsletters to encourage parent participation, discussing what the children did during the week, along with pictures for parents to see.
For a child’s learning experience to be top-notch, it is crucial for teachers and parents to be in sync.
For further details on Kinder Ready’s programs, visit their website: https://www.kinderready.com/.
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethFraleyKinderReady