Ensuring School Success for Your Child
Whether you are sending your child off to preschool, middle school, high school or college, a new school year has begun. While some children love school and anticipate the first day with excitement, others groan when they think about school. For me, I looked forward to starting school, and especially loved the day I went shopping for new clothes and school supplies with my mom.
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.
Establish Routines for Morning, After School and Bedtime
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.
Goal Setting is Not Just for Adults - Children Can Learn Too
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
Last year was a challenging year for my younger son. Constant communication with him and regular check ins with his teacher were critical to helping him be successful in school. A child will not always readily share what is going on at school. While some may openly share the ups and downs, for others it is necessary to ask open ended questions that encourage them to talk. Children will share more easily when parents are emotionally available and can listen without judgment. Create a space during bedtime or playtime to allow your children to freely communicate with you.
Help Your Child Identify His Interests and Talents
Have your ever noticed how some kids have natural talent for singing, some children are gifted academically, and others have a special knack for taking apart and putting things back together? That's what is so great about children. Each child is unique and special. With all the competition and comparisons in school today, it can be easy for a child to get discouraged and feel bad about himself. Instead, help your child recognize what her strengths are by paying attention to what gives her energy, and what activities she naturally gravitates towards. Encourage your child to embrace his natural interests and talents instead of trying to be like someone else.
Minimize Your Childs Stressors
There are so many things that can cause stress for children today. Whether its the pressure of difficult or excessive schoolwork, bullies at school, or intense competition in extracurricular activities, stress will affect the entire family. Pay attention to what might be causing stress for your child. Eliminate the stressor or teach your children effective stress management techniques. Learning how to plan better can help minimize some homework stress. Minimizing extracurricular activities keeps a family balanced. Teaching your children how to control their mind by thinking flexible thoughts, and keeping fears and anxieties under control can go a long way towards alleviating stress. Educate your child about the importance of healthy eating, exercise and proper sleep. But most important, take care of yourself so you can model peaceful family living.
My first born is a freshman in college, and my youngest is in second grade this year. We are anticipating a successful school year, and with these tips your family can enjoy the same.
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.
Establish Routines for Morning, After School and Bedtime
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.
Goal Setting is Not Just for Adults - Children Can Learn Too
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
Last year was a challenging year for my younger son. Constant communication with him and regular check ins with his teacher were critical to helping him be successful in school. A child will not always readily share what is going on at school. While some may openly share the ups and downs, for others it is necessary to ask open ended questions that encourage them to talk. Children will share more easily when parents are emotionally available and can listen without judgment. Create a space during bedtime or playtime to allow your children to freely communicate with you.
Help Your Child Identify His Interests and Talents
Have your ever noticed how some kids have natural talent for singing, some children are gifted academically, and others have a special knack for taking apart and putting things back together? That's what is so great about children. Each child is unique and special. With all the competition and comparisons in school today, it can be easy for a child to get discouraged and feel bad about himself. Instead, help your child recognize what her strengths are by paying attention to what gives her energy, and what activities she naturally gravitates towards. Encourage your child to embrace his natural interests and talents instead of trying to be like someone else.
Minimize Your Childs Stressors
There are so many things that can cause stress for children today. Whether its the pressure of difficult or excessive schoolwork, bullies at school, or intense competition in extracurricular activities, stress will affect the entire family. Pay attention to what might be causing stress for your child. Eliminate the stressor or teach your children effective stress management techniques. Learning how to plan better can help minimize some homework stress. Minimizing extracurricular activities keeps a family balanced. Teaching your children how to control their mind by thinking flexible thoughts, and keeping fears and anxieties under control can go a long way towards alleviating stress. Educate your child about the importance of healthy eating, exercise and proper sleep. But most important, take care of yourself so you can model peaceful family living.
My first born is a freshman in college, and my youngest is in second grade this year. We are anticipating a successful school year, and with these tips your family can enjoy the same.
About the Author:
Lori Radun is the author of The Momnificent! Life ~ Healthy and Balanced Living for Busy Moms and founder of Momnificent!, the home of Momnificent! University. For personal development courses and loads of free articles for moms, please visit Momnificent!, the leading coaching website for moms.
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