I recently had the opportunity to talk with parents in the Early Childhood program of Roseville Area Schools about what parents can do to encourage their child’s interests and talents.  We talked about how as parents, we need to really notice and help our children discover and express what is unique about them. 

One of the best things we can do is to make sure our children have lots of opportunities to try new things.  How will we know our child is a budding Brett Favre if they never have a chance to play with a ball?  How will we know our child loves poetry, if they never get a chance to hear it?  How will we know they love to sing if they never get to hear music. 

Kids who feel supported and cared for as learners and as individuals by the adults and students in their school do better--both in and out of school.

Research shows that liking and feeling connected to school is a very important protective factor for kids that positively influences not just academics but also their social and emotional health.  Unfortunately, too many kids feel disconnected from school.

The 2007 Minnesota Student Survey included three questions that help measure how connected our students feel toward school:

1. How do you feel about going to school?
2. How many of your teachers are interested in you as a person?
3. How much do you feel teachers/other adults at school care about you?

Here are results for students in Suburban Ramsey County:

The Top Ten Reasons to Connect with Kids

1.  Research shows that the #1 way to “protect” kids is to make sure they are connected to adults in a variety of settings—at home, at school, and in the community.

2.  Kids need multiple connections.  Youth who are “involved” with their school, their academics, their after school programs, and the larger community are less likely to participate in risk-taking behaviors. 

3.  Kids want adults in their lives.  Eighty-seven percent of kids tell us they think it is important to have caring adults in their lives.

4.  Almost half (45%) said they need more adults they can turn to when they have a problem.

5.  Research shows that even one caring adult can change the trajectory of a child’s life.