American Promise : Helping Black Boys Excel in School
Tips on how our boys can do better academically.
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Understanding the Promise - The 2013 Sundance-winning documentary American Promise follows two African-American boys as they navigate their futures in the NYC education system. Hilary Beard, one of the authors of the film’s book, Promises Kept: Raising Black Boys to Succeed in School and in Life, gives us tips on what parents, teachers and young Black boys and teens can do to live up to their full potential. —Kellee Terrell (@kelleent) (Photo: Alfredo Alcantara/Rada Film Group)
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Why These Tips Are Important - Statistically, African-American boys lag behind in test scores. And while these are structural factors to blame (schools that lack funding, don’t have enough teachers or books in the school, etc.) Beard is clear that her tips can be done today, cost very little to nothing and can have a huge impact on our sons’ academic, social, behavioral and emotional development. (Photo: Jon Stuyvesant/Rada Film Group)
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Tweak Your Parenting Style - Tough love, which is the most common style of Black parenting, doesn’t always work. Try being a “warm demander” that requires for parents to be affectionate and respond to his needs, but also set high expectations. Let him know that education is a priority and do not let him off the hook when doesn’t take it seriously. (Photo: Getty Images/Image Source)
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Remind Him That He Comes From Greatness - With so many stereotypes about Black boys and men being perpetuated in the media and pop culture, it’s important to change the narrative and allow for them to see their greatness. Whether that’s sharing your family’s stories of what they have overcome or what other African-Americans have overcome, this sense of pride can really build self-confidence.(Photo: National Archive/Newsmakers)
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Visit Your Son’s School - Parents of the most successful kids visit their child’s school eight times a year, albeit parent-teacher conferences, science fairs, field trips, band concerts or sports games. Make your presence known and let your son’s teachers and principle know that education matters. If you cannot physically be there, make sure you are communicating with them via email and phone. (Photo: Matt McClain for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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Read to Your Child Every Day - Yes, we live in a digital age, which can be great, but reading is still incredibly important, especially given that our kids lag behind in this skill. And the further they progress in reading the better they do in other areas like science and math. So read to your child every day starting when they are infants and when they learn to read, make sure they read every day. (Photo: Hero Images/Getty IMages)
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Teach Him Healthy Masculinities - When we tell our boys not to cry or to “man up,” we don’t allow for them to express their full range of feelings. This impacts their emotional and intellectual development, plus it weakens their ability to cope and develop critical thinking skills: All important for success. So let them feel and react to sadness, disappointment fear and rejection. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images)
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Provide Him With Healthy Food - At home and at school, Black children are more likely to consume foods that are high in fat, sugar, salt and calories. Yet, our brains need high quality fuel to perform optimally. So try feeding your kids more green veggies, fruits and fewer processed foods and less soda. Think: We need foods as close to possible as God made it. (Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images)
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Be Your Child’s First Teacher - Don’t wait for pre-school to begin your child’s education: You should be your kids’ first teacher. You don’t need Baby Einstein or an iPhone app to do this either. Teach them about colors, numbers, letters, the moon and stars, etc. Also go old school with Legos, tinker toys, blocks and puzzles too to build their brains. (Photo: Forty Seven/WENN.com)
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Take Parenting Classes - Parenting classes are not just for parents who are forced by the court to raise their children better. Remember: Just because you can conceive a child or adopt one doesn’t mean you know what to do. Getting help can be crucial in learning how to support your child’s development and be a more loving and better parent. (Photo: David Sacks/Getty Images)