School Success Tips for the New School Year
It doesnt matter whether you are sending your child off to college for the first time, or your two year old is starting a two-day preschool program, a new school year is just around the corner. Some children love school, while others dread it. Growing up, I was one of those weird kids that loved school. Every year at about this time, my mother would take me school shopping for new clothes and school supplies. I dont know if it was the shopping I loved, or the anticipation of a new school year.
In our family, education is important to us. We work hard to instill good success habits, and with these ideas, you and your children can enjoy a successful school year too.
Develop and Follow Morning, After School and Bedtime Routines
When my oldest son Kai was growing up, he was diagnosed with ADHD. It was then that I learned about how important routines were in a child's life. Children thrive on consistency and structure, and routines provide that repetition and instill good habits. Make up sheets of paper that list every step your child should take before school, after school and before he goes to bed. Be specific and practice these routines until they become natural and habitual.
Teach Your Children How to Set Goals
The sooner we teach our children to set goals, the better. While they are young (under age 12), encourage your children to set one academic goal and one behavioral goal each year. For instance, I will refrain from hitting my sister when I get angry. Academic goals can include completing homework on time, setting up a consistent reading program, or increasing a grade in a particular subject. As children reach middle school age, they can begin to learn how to set bigger goals or set a larger number of goals each year. To remind your children what their goals are, get creative and make a colorful goals sheet or vision board.
Communicate Often with Your Children and Teachers
Communication with your child and his teachers is critical to your childs success. Last school year was not an easy one for my younger son. We were in constant communication with his teacher, working together to shape his character in and out of school. Some children will voluntarily share whats on their mind, but many children internalize their experiences and feelings. Learn to ask them open ended questions instead of closed ended questions like How was school? Questions that can be easily answered with yes, no or fine dont allow us to get inside our childs world. Keep yourself emotionally available and non-judgmental so your children feel comfortable sharing. Ive always found children are more prone to share at bedtime and during active playtime.
Focus on Your Child's Interests and Talents
Every child is special and different. Some children seem to be born natural athletes, while other children have natural intelligence, humor, or artistic abilities. How do you know what your child enjoys? Pay attention to what gives your child energy and what activities she naturally gravitates towards. Help your child identify what he is good at rather than always focusing on where he needs work. There is enough competition and comparisons going on in schools today. Children should be encouraged to compete with their personal best rather than comparing themselves to other children. Instead of worrying about what Johnny got on his spelling test, teach your child to try and beat his last spelling test score.
Keep Your Child's Stress to a Minimum
Stress is all around us, and children are not immune to it. Children deal with their own stress: peer pressure or school bullies, intense sports competition, and academic struggles. Stay tuned in to what could be causing stress for your child. It's never too early to learn stress management techniques. In our home, we regularly work with our seven year old, teaching him how to plan better, control negative thinking, or combat fears and anxieties. Keep the family calendar balanced by minimizing after school and evening activities. Take care of yourself and your family by modeling healthy eating, exercise and proper sleep.
Success in school is a building block to success later in life. Using these tips will help you and your child create and celebrate a successful school year.
In our family, education is important to us. We work hard to instill good success habits, and with these ideas, you and your children can enjoy a successful school year too.
Develop and Follow Morning, After School and Bedtime Routines
When my oldest son Kai was growing up, he was diagnosed with ADHD. It was then that I learned about how important routines were in a child's life. Children thrive on consistency and structure, and routines provide that repetition and instill good habits. Make up sheets of paper that list every step your child should take before school, after school and before he goes to bed. Be specific and practice these routines until they become natural and habitual.
Teach Your Children How to Set Goals
The sooner we teach our children to set goals, the better. While they are young (under age 12), encourage your children to set one academic goal and one behavioral goal each year. For instance, I will refrain from hitting my sister when I get angry. Academic goals can include completing homework on time, setting up a consistent reading program, or increasing a grade in a particular subject. As children reach middle school age, they can begin to learn how to set bigger goals or set a larger number of goals each year. To remind your children what their goals are, get creative and make a colorful goals sheet or vision board.
Communicate Often with Your Children and Teachers
Communication with your child and his teachers is critical to your childs success. Last school year was not an easy one for my younger son. We were in constant communication with his teacher, working together to shape his character in and out of school. Some children will voluntarily share whats on their mind, but many children internalize their experiences and feelings. Learn to ask them open ended questions instead of closed ended questions like How was school? Questions that can be easily answered with yes, no or fine dont allow us to get inside our childs world. Keep yourself emotionally available and non-judgmental so your children feel comfortable sharing. Ive always found children are more prone to share at bedtime and during active playtime.
Focus on Your Child's Interests and Talents
Every child is special and different. Some children seem to be born natural athletes, while other children have natural intelligence, humor, or artistic abilities. How do you know what your child enjoys? Pay attention to what gives your child energy and what activities she naturally gravitates towards. Help your child identify what he is good at rather than always focusing on where he needs work. There is enough competition and comparisons going on in schools today. Children should be encouraged to compete with their personal best rather than comparing themselves to other children. Instead of worrying about what Johnny got on his spelling test, teach your child to try and beat his last spelling test score.
Keep Your Child's Stress to a Minimum
Stress is all around us, and children are not immune to it. Children deal with their own stress: peer pressure or school bullies, intense sports competition, and academic struggles. Stay tuned in to what could be causing stress for your child. It's never too early to learn stress management techniques. In our home, we regularly work with our seven year old, teaching him how to plan better, control negative thinking, or combat fears and anxieties. Keep the family calendar balanced by minimizing after school and evening activities. Take care of yourself and your family by modeling healthy eating, exercise and proper sleep.
Success in school is a building block to success later in life. Using these tips will help you and your child create and celebrate a successful school year.
About the Author:
Lori Radun is an certified mom coach and author of The Momnificent! Life ~ Healthy and Balanced Living for Busy Moms. To receive your free gifts "155 Things Moms Can Do to Raise Great Children" and "52 Positive Affirmations for Busy Moms" visit Momnificent or stop by her continuously updated blog.