Tip of the Week

May 6, 2019

Self-Advocacy is an Important Life Skill

To advocate for oneself means to speak up and seek support for whatever one might need. This is an exceedingly important life skill. Many students are embarrassed (or too shy) to raise their hand in class, visit teachers after school to ask questions, or simply to speak up when they need something. Here are a few ways to help foster self-advocacy skills with your child:

  1. Remind your child that asking questions is a sign of strength and confidence, not weakness.
  2. Don’t solve your child’s academic problems for him. When he’s stuck, ask “What can you do to move forward?”
  3. Praise even small efforts at self-advocacy and reinforce its positive outcomes.