Summer may be uppermost in the minds of kids right now, but parents are aware school bells will be ringing in just more than a month. Family studies educator and former classroom teacher Wanda Prowell of Columbus believes the weeks until then are a particularly good time to revisit fundamentals that impact a child’s success. It all comes down to families.
In a book titled “Family Re-Union,” Prowell stresses that families are the foundation of society — “the original social service agency.” Even as the definition of family evolves, the fact remains that healthy relationships among family members nurture good physical health, balanced emotions, intellectual stimulation and social accountability in children. The responsibility lies in the home, where children begin building who they are long before they’re exposed to the influence of church or school.
“I deem the family as being the most essential establishment in the earth and believe that parents are the first and far most influential educator in the life of a child,” Prowell said.
The Mississippi University for Women alumna with a degree in family and consumer science has a near quarter-century’s experience in education. She taught in both Columbus and Starkville schools, as well as in Georgia. She returned to her hometown of Columbus in February of this year, having penned and published three books, including “School Readiness K-12” and “Unresolved: The Blessings of a Resolved Lifestyle.”
Prowell’s focus is families moving forward.
“Strong families are not magical; they require making tough decisions,” she said. They must be committed, honest, respectful, fair and give unconditional love.
In “Family Re-Union,” she shares strategies for developing family leadership skills and characteristics that strengthen the familial unit and preserve “the integrity of our youth.”
In today’s environment, children are likely to encounter issues with social behavior, bullying and even dropping out on their journey to adulthood. Family involvement and support is critical from the beginning.
Timely thoughts
With the school year fast approaching, Prowell offered a few suggestions to consider.
“A child who knows you’re not ever going to go up there is often a child you’d better keep eyes on,” Prowell remarked.
“Most children get in trouble when there’s no one to take time with them,” Prowell noted.
“Family Re-Union” is available at Barnes & Noble at The W and at Mississippi State University, and from online booksellers including Amazon. For more information about Prowell or her books, visit resolved-2010.com. Visit facebook.com/SchoolReadiness or [email protected].
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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