Parenting and Learning Issues

While high school dances were originally established as an appropriate social outlet, dances today have evolved to push the limits of new boundaries. Current school leaders assert that the music played at dances is increasingly suggestive, while students’ dance moves have become more overtly sexual.

With the rise in questionable behavior and elicit dance moves at school events, many school leaders are banning dancing-based events, or in some cases, even prohibiting some students to attend. In an attempt to enforce modest conduct in co-ed interactions, schools are trying to navigate the fine line between students’ celebrations and misbehavior.

What’s the Big Dancing Debate?

While high school students may view their dancing and interactions as innocent and fairly commonplace, the observations through adult and school leaders’ eyes take in a much different understanding.

As SeaCoast Online News reveals in their examination of one local high school, the administration team of Exeter High School banned 19 of their students from a school-sponsored dance due to inappropriate dancing behavior. The dancing that was viewed by school leaders as offensive is commonly referred to as “grinding.” As SeaCoast explains, “This type of dancing, in which two dancers rub their bodies against each other in a sexually suggestive manner, has been a problem at the school for about a year.” Yet this problem is not solely an issue at just a handful of schools. According to school leaders, many administrators are beginning to ban specific songs during school dances in

Despite protests from parents and teachers, many students adopt and embrace habits of insomnia during their essential school years. Especially in the middle and high school years, many young teens receive far less than the recommended average amount of sleep.

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) suggests that all people—both teens and adults—should receive at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Despite this recommendation, however, studies show that most students receive less than 6.5 hours of sleep each night. According to experts, the amount of sleep a student receives during his or her school years ultimately influences the outcome of each student’s academic performance.

The Significance of Sleep

As reported by BC Heights, a 2007 study of sleeplessness revealed that a lack of sleep leads to an array of health problems. Specifically, a lack of sleep actually drops the number of white blood cells in the body. With a loss of white blood cells, the body’s immune system is also taxed and less powerful. In a 2007 study, as experts examined the influence of sleep in rats, scientists discovered that after significant and consistent sleep loss, the rats’ immune systems eventually completely failed.

While sleep helps restore our immune systems and bodies, the role of sleep in one’s academic abilities is a bit more unique. As the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) supports, sleep is not only necessary for survival, but for brain development and optimal

The elementary school years play a formative role in shaping a child’s self-esteem and confidence. Children with high self-esteem typically tackle new challenges more effectively, achieve more success in school, and generally exhibit fewer personal and behavioral issues.

On the contrary, children with low self-esteem tend to experience higher levels of anxiety and frustration. Additionally, low self-esteem can cause children to become passive and withdrawn from school and friends. As self-esteem plays a critical role in a child’s overall personality development, attitude, and persona, parents can utilize five specific strategies to boost their child’s positive feelings and confidence.

Five Strategies for Self Esteem

According to the Nemours Foundation, self-esteem is the term that is used to describe a child’s general feelings of self-worth. Self-esteem is often gauged by how one collectively feels about him or herself, and self-esteem also influences our personal beliefs about our abilities, desires, and interests.

The Nemours Foundation further articulates that parents play a large role in their child’s development of esteem: “As kids try, fail, try again, fail again, and then finally succeed, they develop ideas about their own capabilities. At the same time, they're creating a self-concept based on interactions with other people.” Experts assert that parents should implement specific strategies to encourage the positive development of their child’s esteem and confidence.

1. Use Positive Encouragement

One of the best ways to boost self-esteem in your

New struggles and challenges must be confronted at each grade level during a child’s academic development. Specifically, in the public high school years, many teens struggle to stay organized, facing difficulty managing their assignments and agendas. The high school years open students to far more freedoms, social opportunities, new technologies, and countless distractions. Subsequently, many teens cannot seem to figure out how to manage all of their obligations.

Being organized is an essential skill that will help your teen as he or she grows into an adult. Research shows that organized students develop habits that will help them perform better in school and in the long term in their professional and adult life. Thankfully, there are several ways parents can continue to guide their teenage children toward greater organization and self-management.

Secrets to Teenage Organization

One of the main reasons many parents struggle to guide their teenage children towards organization is the common teenage desire for freedom from their parents. As teens encounter more privileges and responsibilities, they want to break free from the parental nest.

During this period of unrest and self-discovery, teens quickly feel overwhelmed and disorganized. As teens desire more freedom and self-control, parents are often pushed away as they try to intervene. Despite this power struggle, parents can still offer guidance and support.

Set the Boundaries

First and foremost, if your teen is among the many who desire to assert their independence, you must first set and explain clear boundaries and expectations.

While every teacher naturally wants to help students learn and excel, there are inevitably some “favorites” in the classroom. However, based on expert information and educators themselves, parents can be involved and take simple steps to help get on the teacher’s “good side.”

Meet the Teacher

Most schools host “open-house” or “meet the teacher” events at the beginning of any school year or new semester. If your child’s school provides the community with this opportunity, try your best to attend! The open-house invitations allow parents and teachers to interact face-to-face.

This parent-teacher meeting can ameliorate various miscommunication issues down the line. For example, if your child comes home complaining of a teacher’s unfairness or assignment, you can use your own knowledge of the teacher (based on your meeting) to assess if your child’s perceptions are accurate. Upon meeting parents at open-house events, many teachers can clearly outline their classroom procedures, grading policies, and so forth. By becoming aware of these guidelines and the teacher’s personality, you can more clearly assess any future issues that your child may encounter in the teacher’s class.

Establish Communication

If you can meet the teacher at an open-house event, then you’re off to the right start! However, if you cannot attend a meet-the-teacher event, try offering your introduction through another alternative method. For example, email the teacher, introducing yourself in a friendly fashion. Offer your home number or email