Kang Chiao Spotlight Issue 10 (小學部)

　　Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year! We are excited to have all of the students back in our classrooms and hallways filled with energy and enthusiasm for learning. In this issue, our teaching coordinator, Ms. Jennifer, provides some useful advice for helping grade one students to adapt to elementary school. Little habits make a big difference. Creating an evening routine for homework and family time helps children feel prepared and develops a responsible attitude for school success.

　　How much time do you spend on social media or surfing the internet every day? Technology changes the form and medium of communication. To provide students an authentic form of writing and reading, the grade five foreign English teachers designed a blogging project to have students create and publish their own weblog last semester. You will find some interesting information from their blogs.

　　Thank you to the parents who came to the parent-teacher conference on September 15. It is our goal to help every child feel welcome, connected and part of our Kang Chiao family. I would like to wish you and your child a great beginning for a wonderful new school year.

　　開學了！校園又再度充滿孩子們的笑聲，經過兩個月的暑假，孩子們都長高了，面對新年級的學習任務，內心充滿期待，卻也有一些些忐忑，尤其是剛上小一的新鮮人，除了學校師長們的教導，更需要父母的陪伴與支持，國際處倪組長的溫馨提醒，希望能幫助爸媽陪孩子們一起面對成長的新挑戰。

　　您估計過自己一天花多少時間瀏覽網路資訊或使用社交媒體，科技與網路的發達，改變了人們溝通的方式。五年級的外師團隊設計「創建個人部落格」專題，讓孩子們以「探索台北」為主題，介紹美食、休閒與文化活動，透過網誌的分享和互動，孩子們經驗了最真實的閱讀和寫作練習，歡迎您一起來欣賞學生精采的作品。

　　感謝大多數家長撥冗參加本學期的班親會，良好的親師溝通與合作，是孩子們成長最大的助力，祝福您和孩子，新學期都能有個好的開始，及圓滿豐收的新學年。

Helping Our Children Together

　　Did you know that more than two hundred thousand children became first graders in Taiwan this year? That’s a huge number! As a grade one parent, do you have any concerns about your children? Are they working well with their classmates? Are they coping with the new curriculum, and are they paying attention in class? Due to the big jump between kindergarten and elementary school, problems in learning and life adaptation sometimes arise. For some learners, the transition is seamless; but for others, it’s a little harder, and each learner handles it at his or her own pace. What can we do to help our children excel in this new learning environment? Here are some suggestions:

　　Children cannot learn and develop to the fullness of their potential unless they feel emotionally secure. To support children emotionally, parents can spend time talking with their children about their school day. The weekly summaries that the English teachers provide can be used by parents to talk with their children about the activities that are taking place in the classroom. Helping children to adjust their attitude if necessary before school each morning can be helpful too.

　　A great way to help children prepare for elementary school is for them to join the transition camp during the summer break, and our first graders had a wonderful time on camp. They became familiar with the school and its learning areas so that they always know where they are. They discovered where to check out their favorite books and where to explore with friends during break time. They adjusted to a regular schedule and learned to follow school rules through a variety of activities. These two weeks helped the children develop an independent and responsible attitude.

Develop Good Habits

　　When children develop a regular schedule and get enough sleep, they achieve better learning results. Help your children set up a routine for doing homework, reading and sleeping, and then help them to maintain that routine. Allow your children to organize their own stationery and books for school. Take your children to the library, so that they will develop a passion for reading. Be patient, because it takes time for children to learn new habits. As parents, you should keep working at it and never give up.

　　While we all know how important the transition to elementary school is, we don’t want you to stress too much. Your attitudes and emotions could affect your children. As parents, you can stand together with your children to face any difficulties they experience at school. Let your children’s teachers know when you have any concerns. With Kang Chiao’s support staff and teachers, together with you, the parents, our Grade 1 students have the best possible support network to help them not just navigate through the choppy waters of adapting to elementary school life, but to actually enjoy this important moment in their lives!