There’s a new season on the horizon: back to school season! It’s the perfect time to get your students back on track for academic success. By approaching back-to-school with a plan, you and your child will be in a position to tackle the new school year with confidence. Research shows that parent support is more important to school success than a child’s IQ, economic status or school setting.
Insist on a good night's sleep. Kids need their rest in order to concentrate and follow the rules at school. If your child has been staying up later during the summer, start enforcing an earlier bedtime two weeks before school starts.
Play board games. Not only are they fun, but they help your child get used to following specific rules. Before you start, read the rules out loud and ask your child to repeat them.
Know the daily routine. Ask for a weekly schedule of gym, science, music, and art classes. You'll be able to help your child prepare for the day and ask more specific questions about what happened at school.
Read together. Kids benefit enormously when their parents continue to read with them at home every day. An easy and fun way is with Notes from Me! Easy tear off notes to learn fun facts and clever riddles, and jokes. It’s the perfect way to bond and learn together.
Get organized. Find a specific place to put scissors, paper, crayons, and other supplies your children use, and help them get in the habit of putting them back where they belong just like they’ll do in their classroom.
Have the Right Attitude: Parents should show excitement and foster a positive attitude toward school and learning. By taking an active, ongoing interest in your child’s learning it can increase positivity and inspire the child to develop good learning habits.
Set up a Learning Environment: Create a regular spot to do their homework where they can sit up straight, spread out their papers, and not be distracted. If your child doesn't have a desk in her room, sitting at the kitchen table is much better than slouching on the couch.
Taking a more active role in your child’s education doesn’t need to feel like a high-pressure undertaking. There are so many small ways to start getting more involved: brainstorm a couple of goals for this new school year, be mindful of the kinds of things you say about school and education around your child and try to support any achievements (big or small) in the classroom or at home.
