The 3-a-day Approach
GEMS encourages parents to make family learning part of their lifestyle by reminding them to do three of the most effective engagement activities everyday:
We call this approach to engaging parents, “3-a-day”
By talk about learning, we mean have regular two-way conversations about what your child is thinking and learning - this means listening too.
By share learning, we mean experience or do learning focused activities together. The types of activities will change as children grow older.
By encourage learning, we mean specifically praising the progress and efforts children make to learn. This is perhaps the most important of the three daily habits.
We integrate 3-a-day into classroom routines, and remind busy families to “talk about, share, and encourage” learning daily, in their own way or style.
Even parents who do not speak English or feel they lack the skills/confidence to support the curriculum, can do “3-a-day” in their home language, and be strong role models of learning.
At every age or stage, we hope that “talk, share, and encourage” become healthy family learning habits, which stay with students throughout their school careers, and develop as their needs change.
See the GEMS dedicated Parental Engagement Website, www.gemsparents.com for suggestions on how to “talk, share, encourage” and reminders to “do your 3-a-day.”