Ensuring School Success for Your Child

Article Written By: LoriRadun

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.

In my own home growing up and in our family today, we take our education seriously. Although my boys are not quite as willing and excited as I was about school, I still work to instill good success habits. Here are some ideas you can use with your children to ensure a successful school year.

Establish Solid Morning, After School and Bedtime Routines

Morning, after school and bedtime routines provide consistency and structure for a child. They help children stay organized and instill good lifestyle habits. Post routines for your children outlining each specific step you want them to take. Be consistent and help your children practice these routines. When my older son Kai was diagnosed with ADHD in 3rd grade, routines kept him organized and contributed greatly to his success in school.

Give Your Children Lessons in Goal Setting

The sooner we teach our children to set goals, the better. While they are young (under age 12), encourage your children to set one academic goal and one behavioral goal each year. For instance, I will refrain from hitting my sister when I get angry. Academic goals can include completing homework on time, setting up a consistent reading program, or increasing a grade in a particular subject. As children reach middle school age, they can begin to learn how to set bigger goals or set a larger number of goals each year. To remind your children what their goals are, get creative and make a colorful goals sheet or vision board.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Last year was a challenging year for my younger son. Constant communication with him and regular check ins with his teacher were critical to helping him be successful in school. A child will not always readily share what is going on at school. While some may openly share the ups and downs, for others it is necessary to ask open ended questions that encourage them to talk. Children will share more easily when parents are emotionally available and can listen without judgment. Create a space during bedtime or playtime to allow your children to freely communicate with you.

Stay Tuned In to Your Childs Interests and Talents

Every child is special and different. Some children seem to be born natural athletes, while other children have natural intelligence, humor, or artistic abilities. How do you know what your child enjoys? Pay attention to what gives your child energy and what activities she naturally gravitates towards. Help your child identify what he is good at rather than always focusing on where he needs work. There is enough competition and comparisons going on in schools today. Children should be encouraged to compete with their personal best rather than comparing themselves to other children. Instead of worrying about what Johnny got on his spelling test, teach your child to try and beat his last spelling test score.

Help Your Child Minimize Stress

There are so many things that can cause stress for children today. Whether its the pressure of difficult or excessive schoolwork, bullies at school, or intense competition in extracurricular activities, stress will affect the entire family. Pay attention to what might be causing stress for your child. Eliminate the stressor or teach your children effective stress management techniques. Learning how to plan better can help minimize some homework stress. Minimizing extracurricular activities keeps a family balanced. Teaching your children how to control their mind by thinking flexible thoughts, and keeping fears and anxieties under control can go a long way towards alleviating stress. Educate your child about the importance of healthy eating, exercise and proper sleep. But most important, take care of yourself so you can model peaceful family living.

My first born is a freshman in college, and my youngest is in second grade this year. We are anticipating a successful school year, and with these tips your family can enjoy the same.

About the Author

Lori Radun, The Momnificent! Coach, is a certified life coach, inspirational speaker and author of The Momnificent! Life " Healthy and Balanced Living for Busy Moms. A guru to conscious mothers everywhere, Loris mission is to help moms raise their energy, raise their morale, and raise their consciousness while raising great kids. Momnificent is a place where mothers go to receive great resources and unconditional support on living magnificent lives.

You Can Link Directly to "Ensuring School Success for Your Child" by using the url:
http://www.allbestarticles.com//family/parents/ensuring-school-success-for-your-child.html

This Article Has Been Published on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 and Read 372 Times

Find All Best Articles at http://www.allbestarticles.com

Rating: Not yet rated

Comments

No comments posted.

Add Comment

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.

Related information on Parents

Being a Good Single Parent
Parents Of Troubled Teenagers Struggle At Home Everyday
A Few Fast Tips On Baby Carriers And Baby Slings
Picking a Child Care Center for Your Young Child: Some Important Considerations
Irish Baby Names and Spanish Baby Names
The Mom Anxiety Factor: How to Cope
My Daughters Are Growing Up Too Fast, And It Needs To Stop
Does discipline really change the behavior of children?
What Are The Most Effective Parenting Tips (2-12 Year Olds)?
Solutions To Child Behavior Problems
Be On The Lookout For Child Behavior Problems
Different Types Of Child Behavior Problems You May Want To Know About
Dealing With Temper Tantrums
How To Organize Your Kids Room
The Complex Simplicity of Raising Your Child
Kids Canada Clothing Can Be Affordable At A Discount Store
There Is No Need To Pay Full Price When You Can Buy Carters Clothing Online
Use an Online Clothing Store to Save Money
Suggestions for Baby Toys Gifts For The Holidays
Education: The Dreaded SATS - A Child's and Parent's Nightmare!
How to Deal with the Needs of your Special Child
Baby Carriers - Much More Efficient Than Ever Before
Bullying an Ongoing Threat to Today's Teens
Make Baby Night Nursing Easy
Ensuring School Success for Your Child