Ensuring School Success for Your Child
It doesn’t matter whether you are sending your child off to school for the first time or tenth time, a new school year is upon us. For some children, the thought of school brings up feelings of dread, while others look forward to it. Personally, I loved school! I looked forward to the day my mother took me shopping for new clothes and school supplies.
Education is an important value in our home. For my boys, I model and teach good success habits so they can be successful in school. With these ideas, your children can be well on their way to experiencing a successful school year.
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.
Goal Setting is Not Just for Adults – Children Can Learn Too
Once you believe your children are old enough to understand, begin teaching them how to set goals. With children under age 12, keep it simple. Ask them to set one academic goal and one behavioral goal. For example, I will allow plenty of time to work on projects instead of procrastinating. Behavioral goals can include showing more respect, getting along with brothers or sisters, or doing chores on time. After age 12, show your children how to set bigger goals that require more action steps, or encourage them to set three or four goals each year. Have fun with your children creating a colorful goals sheet or vision board so they can be reminded of their goals.
Keep the Lines of Communication Open
Parents that are involved with their child’s education by keeping the lines of communication open help their child be more successful. Talk to the teachers regularly and make sure you are available to talk with your child. When a child is struggling in school, working together with the teachers can help you be a team in shaping your child’s character in and out of school. While some children start talking the moment they walk in the door, others internalize what is going on at school. Ask open ended questions that encourage your child to talk, and listen without judgment to what is on their heart and mind. Bedtime and playtime are great times to get children to open up.
Stay Tuned In to Your Childs Interests and Talents
Every child is unique. While some thrive in sports, others are more prone to musical, academic or artistic abilities. Pay attention to what gives your children energy, and what activities they naturally gravitate towards. Nurture those interests and talents so they feel confident about being good in something. Help them to define who they are and what makes them special. There is so much competition and comparisons in schools today. Steer your children away from comparing themselves to others, and instead encourage them to compete with their own personal best. For example, when I took my son and a friend bowling, we didnt compete against each other. In the second game, we tried to beat our score from the first game.
Minimize Your Childs Stressors
Stress, believe it or not, affects a child’s life as well as our own. While child stress is different than adult stress, children have their own set of pressures to deal with. Peers pressure them, teachers sometimes have high expectations, and kids are continually faced with trying new things. Stress for a child can be expressed through misbehavior, irritability or increased sensitivity. If your child is experiencing stress, incorporate stress management techniques to help them cope. Help them learn to have flexible thoughts, stand up to bullies, or manage perfectionism and procrastination. Try not to overbook the family calendar with too many extracurricular activities. Make healthy eating, exercise and proper sleep important goals for all family members.
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.
