Tips For Parents on Back to School and How to help your Child(ren) be Successful in School!!!

by Darla Beamon Unique Designs
1.  Always remember you know what is best for your child, not the principal, nor the teacher for that matter, and while it is important to get our input, ultimately it is up to you to be there for your child to give comfort, safety and security so he/she will grow to be a kind, loving and productive citizen of this world...and that is the most important aspect about parenting in my opinion. ps...dont tell any one I as the teacher told you this....not (had to add the teen attitude in there)...shout it to the world!
2.   Be sure to state your expectations concerning homework times/places, what and when chores are to be done, amount of time on the telephone or watching television and when it is alright for them to do so.  It is important to stay with routines that are set and followed. Consistency is the key to being successful. We all understand that emergencies occur, and we all adjust to them. It is important to teach your child that if the emergency interferes with getting homework done, it is their responsibilty to let the teacher know. Of course for children in K-4 it is difficult to do so, but one way of helping them, is by sending a note to their teacher explaining what had occured, breifly, and when the work is expected to be made up. If your child is sick, teach them to stay on top of the work that is incomplete,and if they are absent for two or more days arrange to pick up the work they have missed. Or have an older sibling pick up the work for him/her.  For older children have them create a study buddy that can pick up the work they have missed.  Teach your child to manage their time when it comes to large projects and reports. It is much easier to do a little of the work every day until it is completed. Also, another tip to helping your child with a project or research paper is to discuss with them the topic they are working on which will show them how important it is to do a good job.
3.    Brown Conroy, the author of 20 Secrets to Success With Your Child, also advises parents to think ahead to what difficult situations their children may encounter, such as making new friends, and to talk about ways to deal with these situations before they occur.
 
 4.   Anxiety is a major concern of children going to school. Help them feel at ease by visiting the school, and showing them where the cafeteria, restrooms, etc. are located. If they walk to school, walk to the route with them prior to school beginning. This would also be a good time to discuss strangers with your child, how to handle different situations and who to go to for help. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends telling children to look the bully in the eye, stay calm, and stand tall. Teach children to respond to bullying by saying, “I don’t like what you are doing,” “Please do not talk to me like that,” or “Why would you say that?” Tell your child to walk away from a bully, and teach him/her when and how to ask for help.
 
5.  Parental involvement is extremely important in helping your child succeed. Be sure you know and your child knows who the principal, vice-principal, school nurse, and other personal is at the school. Volunteer at your child's school on a consistent basis. Know when parent nights suck as Back to School, Literacy Events, Carnivals, etc are and be sure to attend them. Make it a family event. Letting your child's teacher know about your child in order to make connections. When I was in the classroom, the first day of school I would assign homework not to your child, but to parents. I asked my parents to write a letter to me as their child's teacher anything they felt it was important for me to know. Such as any special needs their child hand. If there had been a recent tramatic event such as divorce or the death of a loved one, an illness, or a recent move. I would also ask them to tell me how they felt their child learned best, what their study habits are, and the things they like, hobbies, their strengths. It helped me to find a way to connect to with my students. Write a letter to your child's teacher giving them information about your child that will help him/her to ensure success for your child. It is extremely important that as the parent you work with your child's teacher. When parents and teachers work together as a team school can be a exciting place for your child to be. And when a child is excited about being at school they will be excited to learn and do their absolute best. Make school a cool thing for your child.
 
6. Be sure to know what the curriculum/subjects/content is that your child must learn. There are standards your child must meet in order to be successful in the grade they are in. Be sure to know what those are and what they are working on everyday. Your child's teacher or school can get a copy of the standards to you. You should also be able to find them on the district's web site. The NEA suggests finding out the goals your child’s teacher has for the year and how students will be tested. In addition, look for ways to help your child develop academic skills at home. Younger children’s literacy skills, for example, can benefit from playing reading and rhyming games with parents. More advanced readers should be encouraged to talk about what they’ve read. For additional ideas, ask your child’s teacher to recommend educational books, websites, games, or crafts.
 
7.   It is important that your child eat a healthy diet. Be sure your child eats breakfast at home, or make sure your child eats breakfast at school. Students who eat breakfast focus better in class, perform better on tests, behave better, and are more likely to maintain a healthy weight.  Find out how to obtain a copy of the school menu and pack lunch on days the school serves meals your child doesn’t like. If your child packs her own lunch, establish guidelines about what she is allowed to take. Consider limiting sugary soft drinks or drink boxes and junk food with low nutritional value, such as potato chips. Limit the amount of soda, sweets, and junk food as they are wasted calories. In addition to fruits and vegetables, nuts and low-fat cheese make healthy snacks.
 
8.  There are times in ones life that we all need help from others. Sometimes you might just need their advice. Be sure to attend the parent meetings, school site council meetings, coffee hours, parent workshops to connect with other parents and be sure to write their information down and compile a list with names, phone numbers, home and email addresses for carpooling and emergency babysitting. This list is also important for those times when you cannot be on time to pick your child up.  Keep a copy at work so you know whom to call when your schedule changes unexpectedly.   

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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