The new school year starts Monday morning. Over the next few days we will head out to complete our children’s back to school list…supplies (check), backpack (check), school fashions (check), open house (check); however the most important thing is to keep our children engaged in their studies throughout the school year. Once the family returns to its school year drill, how can parents keep kids excited about school like it’s the first day of school…be involved! Working Divas, let’s help our children and their teachers in making them Grade A students and future leaders. Review the tips below and enjoy the school year!
It doesn’t matter if your child is entering first grade or his or her first year of high school, your child should know that you are going to be involved. Parental involvement is a great way to help your child stay motivated about school because it communicates that you are concerned about your child’s education. Make an effort to meet your child’s teacher(s) at the beginning of the year. Attend school events such as Parent/Teacher Conferences and PTA/PTO meetings and check in periodically to see how your child is doing both academically and socially. Also, consider volunteering for a few class or school functions.
Making homework and study time a priority can also help children stay motivated about school. Set-up a homework area that is free from distractions and look over your child’s school work and homework assignments. Make sure your child keeps a homework folder and writes daily assignments in an academic planner. Check your young child’s backpack for notes or letters from school. Sit with your middle/high school child to review his or her academic planner. Also, be aware of tests and project due dates. You don’t want your child getting into the habit of cramming for a test or trying to complete a major project the night before it’s due.
For the child who struggles with staying motivated about school, offer him or her extra incentives. Keeping an incentive chart is a great way to visually help your child track his or her progress and set realistic attainable goals. However, be careful with how you structure your reward system because you don’t want to your child to become dependent on getting things. If your child is very reluctant about school establish and reinforce a consequence system.
Encouraging your child to participate in extracurricular activities, knowing who your child’s friends are, and regularly conversing with your child will also positively contribute to your child’s motivation about school.
(source: Blue Ribbon School Supplies)
