WOW! Who can believe we will all be back to school by this time next week. Getting the year off to a positive start can make a big difference for your child’s overall school experience. We surveyed our tutors and did some web surfing for you to come up with a few tips to make the school year a positive one for you and your child:
• Form a positive relationship with your child’s teacher from the beginning of the year
– Attend open house, be a part of PTA, volunteer for a field trip or help out in some way. Being involved can make all the difference in the world. It shows your child what a high priority he or she is and fosters a positive relationship between home and school.
Last week I ran into a parent I worked with six years ago and the thing I still remember about her is she helped me with every field trip the year I taught her son. I still love her for that!
• Be enthusiastic – This is hard sometimes! Especially when you are juggling getting kids to school, packing lunches and backpacks, feeding everyone (breakfast and lunch) and trying to get yourself together for work.
Still, our kids watch us to see how to respond to new situations and changes in life. If you are positive and excited, your child will be also. Remind yourself that each day is an opportunity to learn something new and share this enthusiasm for life and learning with your child.
• Routine, routine, routine – Being well rested makes a huge difference in the way children can focus and be their “best selves” at school.
Establish a consistent routine for bedtime and waking so your child arrives at school ready for the day’s learning.
• Set goals – Sit down with your child and set goals for the year together. Be sure that some of the goals are non-academic. For example, your child might set a goal to be able to read a particular book by the end of the year and also strive to make 2 new friends. (My 4 year old’s primary goal in life right now is to learn how to do a cartwheel.)
Check in periodically to discuss the goals and give your child tips and support for achieving them. Share your experiences: What goals have you set and achieved in life? What did you do to achieve them?
• Homework Hot Spot – Find a spot in your home that is dedicated to homework and have it stocked with the items you’ll need to get through what can be a challenging time. Try to make the spot attractive and inviting—especially if homework is a struggle at your house.
• Put down your iPhone – OK. Guilty as charged. I LOVE my iPhone and being able to have every connection in my life at my fingertips, but recently I have started forcing myself to put it down and/or turn in off for hours at a time so I can be fully present when I interact with my child.
When I ask her about her day, I need to really listen to her answer…not just mumble “uh huh…great honey” while I text a friend. This is probably the single best thing I have done for my family this year.
• Value progress, growth, and practice
– ERG recently hosted 3 of the nation’s leading experts on reading. One of them is Stephanie Harvey who reminded us all, “Smart is not something you are…smart is something you get.” We want to foster in our children the belief that they can get smarter through effort and practice!
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