(ThyBlackMan.com) The new school year has arrived, parents are concerned about the outward appearance of their children; rightly so, children represent their respective families and generational lineage (family history). No parent wants their children to look scruffy especially the first several weeks of school. The concerns of parents in their dressing of their child or children is a representation of the physical appearance that creates the initial impressions that are temporary and quickly fleeting during the school year.
The question:
Parents, What Kind of Student are you Raising??
Thought provoking and a serious discussion that inquires parents preparing their children academically for success in school. Parents have you encouraged academic excellence using positive words and positive expectations?
Parents have you purchased educational materials; educational DVD’s, obtained library cards and museum memberships? Learning occurs outside of the school too and must be cultivated by parents 
before school starts and during the academic year.
Parents are you talking too, not yelling at children about your expectations for proper behavior and scholarly participation (being a good student)? Parents need to show that books are the gateways to new worlds and new discoveries not just sports or entertainment.
Chinua Achebe, Nigerian author states, “Children should be fascinated by books and encouraged to read every day.” Ironically children of color and culture are behind others and should not be, free educational resources are available in communities.
During over 20 years as an educator I have heard parents verbally threaten, demean, dress down, embarrass and curse out their children as the new school year approached.
Parent’s excuses or reasons; children need to know that they (parents) mean business. Comments such as these shape and mold a child’s mind. It potentially creates a personality that the perception is they deserve to be beat, they deserve to be yelled at and cursed at. These actions may reinforce in a child’s mind that violence should be accepted and maybe even welcomed in order to be a good student. Children should be taught with love and patience that, “there is value in books and libraries,” and love is stronger than violence. (African Voices 2009 – C. Achebe) so they can look forward happily to reading and learning.
As a parent and educator, I urge parents to think about and seriously consider two statements by two well-known men. Both were parents and known for their wisdom in their respective lives. Albert Einstein (1879-19550) stated, ”Way of thinking should be taught to all children, to be tenacious in the way they think, to solve problems even though they may take years.”
Einstein 2007, this is related to the patience of learning, to the expectations of hard work and dedication to research. It is important for parents to teach this to their children through love,
role modeling and patience.
Malcolm X (1925-1965) stated, “Education is the passport to the future. Tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Malcolm X promoted learning, he is known to have read feverously and regularly sharing his knowledge and love of learning with his children, and when applying it to why knowledge is important. Malcolm X rationality can be applied to all cultures and colors.
Parents must train up their children the way they should properly go, valuing education and doing good works in their community. Parents should ask themselves who would they want their child to follow; who would they want their children to be like, who should be their role models beyond athletes and entertainers?
Parents need to be the first model for educational value, parents think about the kind of child or children you are raising and what are your expectations for them? Do you want your children to be better than you in life: do you want them to be better financially, educationally, and socially? Education is the key…………………
How your community your city, and your state is managed and run is based on the education of all citizens. Your participation may mean the difference between an educated and employed society that equally contributes to the tax base or an under educated, or uneducated society that struggles to provide resources and services that build and make a city and community stronger.
Encourage reading, comprehension, literacy and lifelong learning in your children to determine the kind of community and city you want to live in.
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.
