3 Tips for a Successful School Year
Tips for Back-to-School Success
3 Simple Tips for Success in the New School Year
Back-to-school season is here. Whether your child is embarking on their first day of kindergarten or their senior year of high school, a new year can be difficult. That’s why your child needs your help.
Several research studies confirm that students with parents who are involved in their schooling have better academic performance and are more likely to graduate from high school than students whose parents are not involved.
Keep a Positive Attitude
Transitioning into a new school year can be a stressful time for parents and students. As parents, it’s important to help your child maintain a positive outlook on school. Keep conversations about school positive. When they turn negative, redirect the conversation by celebrating your child’s accomplishments or sharing positive experiences form your time in school.
Ask open-ended questions like “What are you most excited about?” or “Is there anything that worries you?”. These questions provide insight. Rather than the “yes” and “no” responses you may be accustomed to, with open-ended questions, you’ll get the information you need to have meaningful conversation, and address issue and concerns.
Communication Is Key
If you don’t know what’s going on in the classroom, how can you provide the support your child need to succeed? That’s why opening and maintaining a line of communication with your child’s teachers is critical to their success.
Early on in the school year, find an opportunity to introduce yourself to your child’s teacher. Let them know they can contact you and that you would like to receive updates on your child’s progress. Even if you get nothing but positive feedback, your child’s teacher sees a side of your child you may not. Use this relationship to learn more about your child.
Create Routines
In addition to making your life easier, routines help children learn important skills. They are especially important during the preschool years, when the brain is developing rapidly. Routines show children how to organize and manage daily life. As children get older and we being gradually turning over the responsibility for self-management, we ensure that our children learn how to manage themselves.
You may relaxed routines during the summer months, but with the new school year at hand, it’s important to reestablish them. No doubt, there’s a lot more to your morning than simply getting kids to school before the bell rings. By establishing routines, you can simplify your day and put things on autopilot. Develop a plan with your child for addressing homework and assignments. Make sure they keep you notified and make your expectations for completing homework clear.
These tips don’t address every aspect of you your child’s education, but by staying positive, keeping an open line of communication with your child’s school, and maintaining routines and expectations you’ll be well on your way to creating a support system that will help your child succeed.