Category: Component

Definition: A.C.T. which stands for Activities Completed Together offers a formal opportunity for parents and children to work together, applying what parents have studied during their lessons in each area of focus. Ultimately, when completed, A.C.T. provides concrete experiences for shared learning in the home.

Rationale: A.C.T. allows parents opportunities to put learning into practice with their children. It has been said that knowledge and learning are reinforced when they are applied. Certainly, it can be mutually beneficial for parents and children to complete projects, solve problems and create things together. Such experiences can be bonding, enriching, memorable and motivating.

Blocks with engraved letters of the alphabet are traditionally symbols of children’s early tactile and practical learning experiences. They may be used to teach letters and words to children at an early age. Sometimes, such teaching involves touching the lettered blocks and moving them to spell words or emphasize the identification of specific letters. Such actions and directions, when led by a parent or someone in a teaching role, can encourage them to complete the activity together.

Definition: the manner or method of performing, doing something, the accomplishment of a thing (Merriam Webster); something that a person or group does (Learner’s Dictionary); supporting the concepts that “one learns best by doing” and “actions speak louder than words.” The focus of each lesson will be the Action it generates as a concluding, confirming, and sustainable learning experience for parents and, subsequently, for their children.

Rationale: Action becomes the progressive, final step by educators training parents in each lesson to provide important and meaningful “HomeWork” for their children. Trainers introduce the lesson topic. This allows parents to examine and consider the lesson through Introspection, Retrospection and Roundabout, and prepares them well to perform related Actions.

Supporting the concepts that “one learns best by doing” and “actions speak louder than words,” the highlight of each lesson considered will be the Action it generates as a concluding, confirming, and sustainable learning experience for parents and, subsequently, for their children.

Providing such direction and instruction in training parents will equip them to better use what they learn as models for what they will teach their children through HomeWork. They will be more prepared to give them guidance in the home, and to continue to guide and support them in school and in life.

A bowling ball making a strike symbolizes the anticipation that involvement in the action associated with the lesson will lead to success, achievement, accomplishment, the desired positive result, attainment of an identified, sought-after goal. While a strike may occur less frequently, sometimes by surprise, it is often the reward earned by bowlers who practice and work on developing their skills and competencies. Ultimately, a strike signifies an action that denotes winning, success, accomplishment—occurring whenever the related goals are met.

Definition: Traditionally, a circular traffic intersection where two or more roads meet, and on which all vehicles proceed to travel in the same direction until exiting the circle.

Uniquely, this Roundabout concept can apply as a process for preparing parenting adults for success as their children’s teachers by cultivating their ability to cooperate, collaborate, display sensitivity for and awareness of the rights of others. This will involve convening the participants in a circle. Using established procedures, they will discuss specific topics, with emphases on sharing thoughts, ideas, conclusions and question. They will listen to and to learn from each other. Ultimately, the process may result in movement in the same (or similar) direction. Such movement can reflect a recognition of the value of cooperation and coordination as a favorable process for reaching goals and identified ends.

Rationale: The Roundabout is adopted and adapted for use as a training protocol to help parents and those in parenting roles develop characteristics of leadership, confidence, collaboration, and cooperation. Opportunities will be provided for expression of thoughts, ideas, and opinions related to the lesson. Through this peer-sharing process, participants assembled in a circle will cultivate individual strengths as they learn from each other and prepare to communicate effectively with their children and build their capacity to communicate with each other in cooperative, respectful ways.
Developing a discussion protocol involving participants in a circle in a discussion of each lesson’s focus will promote and encourage peer sharing among the parents with opportunities for them to learn from one another.

A Roundabout, traditionally (as it relates to traffic, travel on streets) is described as a circular intersection with directions for entering, yielding, and exiting safely – traveling one way – in a single direction. It requires agreement, understanding and a willingness to follow directions to ensure successful navigation and exit, while avoiding collisions.

Definition: Directed toward the past; looking backward; contemplating the past; reflecting on, thinking about the past; considering, assessing the past (Source: Dictionary.com).

Rationale: Having completed Introspection, parents will then be ready to consider the focus of the lesson through Retrospection. Each will relate directly to an identified value, behavior, belief or principle. A list of fifteen quotes by others (famous, anonymous, familiar, or unknown) will be provided for review and consideration. Parents will participate in specific activities that involve them in considering the quotations, thoughts of others about the specific topic that they considered personally, during their introspection activity. Hence, after considering their particular thoughts and ideas, they will consider the thoughts and ideas of others using the specific activities. Reference and reflection will provide an historical perspective, allowing parents to understand meanings from the past that will be useful in preparing related HomeWork assignments and activities for their children. The value and significance generated through the retrospective process, potentially, will increase the motivation of parents and the effectiveness of delivery.

The Sankofa, the Ghanaian symbol for “reaching back, looking back, to seek.” According to a Ghanaian Proverb, “It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.” This symbol will be used and understood by parents during their training for its reference to the past, and to related thoughts expressed by others through selected quotations. Subsequently, the Sankofa will become the symbol that parents will use with their children when presenting the Retrospection (past) perspectives to them in HomeWork.

The Sankofa, the Ghanaian symbol for “reaching back, looking back, to seek.” According to a Ghanaian Proverb, “It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.” This symbol will be used and understood by parents during their training for its reference to the past, and to related thoughts expressed by others through selected quotations. Subsequently, the Sankofa will become the symbol that parents will use with their children when presenting the Retrospection (past) perspectives to them in HomeWork.

Definition: A reflective look inward; an examination of one’s own thoughts and feelings; self-examination; self-reflection; self-searching, soul searching (Merriam Webster) To look inside; the act of thinking about your own ideas or thoughts; actions; looking inward.
Rationale: Each focus addressed will relate directly to an identified thought, value, behavior, belief or principle. In HomeWork, parents and those in parenting roles will be prepared to teach their children at home. They will be encouraged to think about the focus of the lesson from their own personal perspectives and consider what they mean to them. They will consider such questions as: Is it important? Why? How would you share it with your children? What would you add to the topic? What is most important? What is least important?

Questions that center on the parents’ personal views, feelings, and thoughts will become the critical starting point for each topic. Subsequently, this should solicit and secure “buy-in” among parents and create an interest in sharing the focus of the lesson with their children.

A mirror as a symbol for personal reflection; self-awareness; attention; clear, direct, personal view/review. This symbol will be used and understood by parents during their training. Subsequently, the mirror will become the symbol that parents will use with their children when presenting the Introspection focus (perspective) to their children in HomeWork.