Pat Kozyra

Parents in so many parts of the world are very fortunate in this day and age to have a choice as to what kind of education their children get, how they get it, where they get it and when they get it. One size does not fit all anymore, it seems.

The following is a selection of nine questions from parents answered by Pat Kozyra the author of the book “Tips and Tidbits for Parents and Teachers.”

Pat Kozyra, who has been teaching in the classroom for more than 50 years, covers a range of topics likely to be of interest to both parents and teachers.

When you walk into your child’s classroom, do you get positive vibes that say: “I'd really like to learn in this classroom?” Here’s what I said to parents in my book “Tips and Tidbits for Parents and Teachers.”

Let me begin by explaining the difference between discipline and punishment. Yes, children need discipline and consequences for their inappropriate behaviour, but punishment is another question.

Not all students have the good fortune to have two parents who take a profound interest in their child’s education on a daily basis. These parents show love, guidance, interest, positive support and have a real caring attitude towards all aspects of their child’s progress. All this should happen without the label of “Tiger Mom”, “Helicopter Parent” or “Overindulgent Parent”.

It is hard to believe that your child in his or her pre-school environment which many consider “just play” is actually learning and developing pre-reading and pre-writing skills, becoming familiar with basic math and science concepts, and gaining social skills that will be of benefit now and in future years. In a supplement to Weekly Reader magazine in the Pre-K Edition, Issue 23,

One of the most surprising things that I have experienced about living in Hong Kong is how late children get to bed at night. The newspapers often do articles about the seriousness of sleep deprivation. Apparently it is a chronic and pressing problem.