Tips to Raising Smart Black Students in the 21st Century.

How to Give your African American child the best start
before they step into a classroom

At Birth every African American parent should seriously write down what type of child they want to raise as far as education level, school success, learning ability, etc. There comes a time with all parents when they must begin to think about schooling and education for their child.
Times have changed and students must be able to read, write and have math and science skills in this 21st century and later in life.
Do NOT wait until your child is 15 years old to realize he/she cannot read, write, spell or do math. Unless there is a learning disability; all children can learn to their ability.

Here are a few tips for African American and Latino parents to think about way before their child enters preschool:

• Teach the soft skills early also known as comportment. Back in the day it would be called using your manners, saying “please” and “thank you.” Shaking hands when you are greeted, looking people in the eye when speaking to them. Something as simply as saying “YES,” not “yeah, “ or “uh-huh,” will carry your preschool and school age child a long way at every level of schooling.
• Teach your child early proper words and proper English. Slang and ebonics should not be the everyday language of a 3 or 4 year old. Poor language habits are hard to break.
• Introduce books and reading to your child early, even before they can talk. Begin teaching colors, shapes and pictures as early as 18 months. Many 18-20 month olds do not have the language skills to talk yet, but they can point to identify a simple picture on demand. (ex. Tree, flower, dog, cat, house, etc.)
• Talk to your child and ask simple questions, at the dinner table, in the car, on the bus, at the bus stop. This will give your child the skill to talk and then to listen.
• Get rid of as much chaos in your family and in your life as possible before your child begins school. Make a decision to live a drama free lifestyle around your children.
• Begin to teach your child emotional intelligence by age 3. They will have to learn to accept disappointment at times. Teach them to be resilient and bounce back if things go wrong. Like I tell my kids, there is a solution to every problem.
• Make sure you as the parent and everyone involved with the child takes education seriously. Make sure your kids get to school on time and get enough nutritious food and sleep at night.
• Allow your children to be curious and to use their imagination and pretend.
• And make sure you have age appropriate books in your home at all times.
• Teach your children how to learn and to love learning new things and ideas.


FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN PARENTS….STOP AND THINK ABOUT….

 African American parents should sit back and think about what is going on in their home; the good and the bad.
 When possible keep all chaos away from y our children at all times at any cost.
 Does your financial situation define you and/or your children and family?
 Know your school folks, principal, teachers, secretary, custodian, etc.
 Ask yourself, do you value the street module or education module. (A baby thug will most likely turn into a teenage thug.)
 If your school is not of the best quality, you MUST do your job as a parent and teacher at home.
 All children, especially African American children need to be prepared as much as possible for global learning, through travel, exposure outside of their community and technology.
 TEACH YOUR CHILDREN HOW TO BEHAVE IN PUBLIC…IN SCHOOL ANYWHERE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME.