TALK WITH YOUR CHILD BEFORE THE YEAR STARTS:
- How do they feel about the new year? Accept their feelings and talk about them.
- Set attainable goals for the year. Make these goals Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and decide on a Time frame to evaluate. (SMART)
EXAMPLE: I will practice tying my gym shoes everyday, and be able to do it without help by the end of September.
START WITH A CLEAN SLATE:
- No matter what has happened in previous years, let that go and enter this new year refreshed and ready to make it the most positive year ever!
SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL READY TO LEARN:
- Make sure they have had a nutritious breakfast and have had plenty of sleep.
- It is helpful for children if their before/after school routines are consistent.
This helps you strike a balance between family time, schoolwork, play, and rest.
- Post routines in appropriate places as reminders, so your child can be as independent as possible.
BE ORGANIZED:
- Decide what works best for your student. Glue stick or liquid? Separate folders or an accordion folder? Color code folders and notebooks? Then, make sure you use the system you have decided upon.
- Go through folders on a daily/weekly basis.
- Have your child pack their backpack the night before.
HAVE A PLACE AT HOME DESIGNATED FOR DOING SCHOOL WORK:
- This place should be comfortable, well-lit, quiet, and have all the supplies needed readily available.
- There should be minimal distractions.
AUTOMATIC HOMEWORK TIME DAILY:
- Even if your child has no homework, expect them to read and/or write daily.
- Take your child’s grade times 10. This is how many minutes they should work each night. Example: First grade would be 10 mins.
TALK ABOUT THE SCHOOL DAY:
- This is a great way to find out what’s going on from your child’s perspective. It will provide a great opportunity for you to help them solve problems, encourage them, or praise them for great things that are happening!
GET INVOLVED:
- Attend school events.
- Volunteer in the classroom, at school, or become a member of the PTO.
- Talk with the teacher regularly. This doesn’t always need to be a formal meeting. Develop a positive relationship. Remember you’re a TEAM!!!