Five Ways to Keep Your Child on Track This School Year!
by Kathleen A. Matchunis, B.A., M.S. Certified Professional Coach & Tutor
Are you groaning at the thought of getting your child through the school year? Oh, yes, the joy of helping your child with homework after working all day. Not! What can you do to make this year less stressful and more productive?
You should set a positive tone by establishing an honest relationship. Let your child know that you need them to share both good and bad news with you.
Make sure that you buy a planner for your child and teach him how to use it. Check it each week until he gets in the habit of using it correctly. Part of being organized is building good daily habits and making them a consistent part of your life.
Here are some tips to survive the school year with your child:
- Monitoring is extremely important. Choose a day and have your kids you show you their grades from the computer every week
- Discuss areas of weakness (without yelling) , by finding out what your child feels is difficult. Have your child take the approach of a detective to find out what could be done differently.
- Ask your child what he thinks he can do to improve his grades. If your child is not sure, have him contact the teacher and make notes on what he can do to bring up his grades. If you feel your child is not capable of this, contact the teacher yourself, and then work with your child on discussing his progress with his teacher
- Encourage a growth mindset in your child. Don’t just focus on grades. Focus on study habits, motivation, confidence, etc.
- Don’t allow your child to blame others for his lack of progress. If you feel that there is a serious problem, contact the teacher first and then the school administration, if you feel that the problem has not be resolved. Keep things positive by having your child take responsibility to find solutions to his academic challenges
- Have your child chart his progress to feel a sense of accomplishment
Does your child really know how to study? This topic is not always addressed by our schools. Does your child know his learning style and which study techniques work best with his style? If not, you may want to consult a professional academic coach who can help your child get positive results from his efforts. Call Kathleen Matchunis, B.S., M.A., an experienced educator and certified academic coach & tutor (Spanish, French, and English) at 954 294 9708 for a complimentary consultation. All sessions are customized to the needs of your child.
Have a happy and rewarding school year!
