Comments on: Knowing their family history helps kids cope http://www.futurity.org/society-culture/knowing-their-family-history-helps-kids-cope/ Research news from leading universities Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:20:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Donna Buchanan http://www.futurity.org/society-culture/knowing-their-family-history-helps-kids-cope/comment-page-1/#comment-11249 Donna Buchanan Fri, 09 Apr 2010 02:17:13 +0000 http://futurity.org/?p=10131#comment-11249 This is wonderful. I am involved as an independent heritage maker in helping others to preserve their family stories, photos and memories in books, posters, canvases, playing cards, calendars, etc so that they can share their that heritage for generations. This article is so in tune with my efforts. I also have a masters in archiving and museum so again, preservation of past for the future. The self esteem of a child is so strengthened when he/she holds and uses a book all about them and their family. A tangible reminder of how important they are to their family and friends. This is wonderful. I am involved as an independent heritage maker in helping others to preserve their family stories, photos and memories in books, posters, canvases, playing cards, calendars, etc so that they can share their that heritage for generations. This article is so in tune with my efforts. I also have a masters in archiving and museum so again, preservation of past for the future. The self esteem of a child is so strengthened when he/she holds and uses a book all about them and their family. A tangible reminder of how important they are to their family and friends.

]]> By: Bill Betzen http://www.futurity.org/society-culture/knowing-their-family-history-helps-kids-cope/comment-page-1/#comment-10918 Bill Betzen Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:45:28 +0000 http://futurity.org/?p=10131#comment-10918 Our school started a 10-year time-capsule and 8th grade class reunion project centered on letters 8th graders write to themselves about their lives, stories from their life, and their plans for the future. The letters are kept in a 350-pound vault bolted to the floor in our school lobby under spotlights. It is centrally located to remind students of their plans for the future. They know that when they return they will be invited to speak with then current 8th graders about their recommendations for success. Our project also stirs up the documenting of many family stories. I think this research is powerful reinforcement for what we are doing. Our dropout rates are going down significantly and we are having record sized graduation classes. I worked for 28 years in child placement and became a strong open adoption advocate due to the need for adoptees to know their birth family stories. See www.openadoption.org. This is a lesson with many applications! Our school started a 10-year time-capsule and 8th grade class reunion project centered on letters 8th graders write to themselves about their lives, stories from their life, and their plans for the future. The letters are kept in a 350-pound vault bolted to the floor in our school lobby under spotlights. It is centrally located to remind students of their plans for the future. They know that when they return they will be invited to speak with then current 8th graders about their recommendations for success.

Our project also stirs up the documenting of many family stories. I think this research is powerful reinforcement for what we are doing. Our dropout rates are going down significantly and we are having record sized graduation classes.

I worked for 28 years in child placement and became a strong open adoption advocate due to the need for adoptees to know their birth family stories. See http://www.openadoption.org. This is a lesson with many applications!

]]> By: Therese http://www.futurity.org/society-culture/knowing-their-family-history-helps-kids-cope/comment-page-1/#comment-10378 Therese Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:58:13 +0000 http://futurity.org/?p=10131#comment-10378 Thank you for affirming an important part of family life. in my work, I have noticed that family story telling is a vital contribution that grandparents, aunts and uncles can make. It does not matter how silly, serious or old the episodes that we share. Somehow, each one can become a touchstone for family identity and strength. Thank you for affirming an important part of family life. in my work, I have noticed that family story telling is a vital contribution that grandparents, aunts and uncles can make. It does not matter how silly, serious or old the episodes that we share. Somehow, each one can become a touchstone for family identity and strength.

]]> By: Anne http://www.futurity.org/society-culture/knowing-their-family-history-helps-kids-cope/comment-page-1/#comment-10289 Anne Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:11:13 +0000 http://futurity.org/?p=10131#comment-10289 Our school is doing a project called "Family Oral History" project. We are interviewing our family members and digging out valuable family histories. I think this article encouraged me very much. Thanks for the article, and I find the Futurity site very useful for my English education(You see, I'm a Korean, and I have a long way to go in English education). Our school is doing a project called “Family Oral History” project. We are interviewing our family members and digging out valuable family histories. I think this article encouraged me very much. Thanks for the article, and I find the Futurity site very useful for my English education(You see, I’m a Korean, and I have a long way to go in English education).

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