A practical guide for parents of elementary-school children, The Parent Backpack explains how to muddle through an (often mystifying) educational system and help your kids thrive. With how-to advice on topics such as choosing a kindergarten, writing an effective note to your child’s teacher, or teaching good study habits, Nichols (the director of a non-profit parent education group) has packed the book with helpful tips and example scripts for conversations and e-mails. Each chapter ends with a list of “Top 10 Takeaways” for readers to refer back to easily.
—Parade , July 2013
“A smart, wise, and practical book every parent of a young child should own. What a trove of information; read this beautifully composed guide, sleep well, and enjoy with confidence your child’s education.”
—Edward Hallowell, MD, author, The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness
“ML Nichols has given parents a long-overdue map through the ‘minefield’ of elementary education: where to turn and what to say and do (in and out of school) to become an effective advocate for your child.”
—Jim Trelease, author, The Read-Aloud Handbook
“As a psychologist and parent of three elementary-age children, I highly recommend this book. Its concrete strategies empower you to build strong partnerships with teachers and tap your child’s natural motivation to learn.”
—Dr. Donna Pincus, author, Growing Up Brave
“In this approachable guide, Nichols offers practical advice to parents on everything from how to select a kindergarten program to how to write appropriate e-mails to your child’s teacher. Nichols, the director of the Parent Connection, a nonprofit parent education group, has extensive knowledge of the ins and outs of the early years of a child’s education. All parents will benefit from the early chapters providing specifics about the current generation of elementary schools, and suggestions for what parents can do to ensure their children’s success within the changing system.”
—Publisher’s Weekly
“Every so often, I run across a book so good it belongs on every family’s shelf. That’s the case with The Parent Backpack. Author ML Nichols, director of the nonprofit, The Parent Connection, has written a guide for surviving and thriving in elementary school. She explains the system—from testing to special education to how administrators choose your kids’ next teacher. Best of all, she outlines what to expect academically at different ages, defines fancy edu-terms, and offers advice for advocating for your child. Hopefully, you won’t need to contact the teacher and principal often—but if you do, this book provides fantastic strategies.”
—Kristen Kemp, Parents Magazine
Acknowledgments
Introduction: What I Wish I Knew Then
Part One
Education Today: Insights and Perspective
Chapter 1: Understanding Your Child’s Journey
Chapter 2: Your Role in a Changing System
Chapter 3: Building Bridges to School and Learning
Chapter 4: Kindergarten Matters
Part Two
Connecting to Your Child’s Learning
Chapter 5: Words that Work with Teachers
Chapter 6: Why Jack Likes to Read—and Write
Chapter 7: It’s all About the Teaching
Chapter 8: Balancing Academics with Connection
and Confidence
Chapter 9: When Your Child Needs More Support
Chapter 10: The Social and Emotional Realities of Bullying
Chapter 11: Thinking, Learning, and Technology
Part Three
Supporting Your Child’s Learning at Home
Chapter 12: Guiding Homework, Projects, and Studying
Chapter 13: Fueling Your Child’s Brain and Body
Chapter 14: Coaching Kids to Organize and Self-Advocate
Glossary of Edu-Terms
Bibliography
Index
