When I was a little girl I was always excited about returning to school after Summer vacation. The night before the first day back, I would excitedly lay out my clothes, carefully assemble my new trapper-keeper and 64-piece Crayola crayon set (with the built-in sharpener on the back) into my backpack and try to calm my excited nerves enough to fall asleep while the sun was barely set against the August Summer sky. Before I knew it, my grandma was waking me up to a bowl of malt-o-meal, a cold glass of Tang and I was on my way to conquer a new day and new grade!
In just a few weeks, kids all over the country will start heading back to class just as full of excitement as I was as a child many years ago. As a parent, I know that you want to prepare them as much as possible to be successful from the first class period of August until the last bell of June. As a private tutor and educator, I want the same for the many students I will have the pleasure to teach this year. Below are a few tips to get you started on the right foot towards a year of success:
Create a Realistic Schedule: During the Summer months, your family may be more lenient about things like strict bedtimes, television consumption and studying. While this may encourage rest and a break from the expectations of the Fall, Winter and Spring months, as students prepare to head back to class it will be very important to prepare a set of routines that will be conducive to high academic performance. To achieve this, consider dynamics such as bed times, study times and night time routines including packing lunches and preparing clothing or uniforms that will cut help promote a smooth transition back to school.
Designate a Learning Space that Encourages Focus and Productivity: The environment in which your child studies can impact how much the benefit from the time they spend there. For most students, I recommend a designated area that is clutter free and well-stocked with learning essentials that you child will need to complete their homework or focus on studying for a test. Make sure that the surface is big enough to accommodate their books and folders, have sharpened pencils, highlighters, crayons, staplers and outlets to charge electronics within reach as well. In addition, while I do sometimes the use of soft music playing in the background while studying (more here), sources of distraction such as loud TV, disruptive siblings and mobile devices (unless used to complete the assignment) should be minimized. Finally, having a healthy snack such as fresh fruit, raw nuts and water can be beneficial in ensuring your child is full and focused as they study.
Limit Useless Media: I’ve been a private tutor for almost three years now and in my work, I spend quite a bit of time observing the parenting habits of my clients. To that end, I can absolutely say that, without a doubt, my highest achieving students have come from homes where opportunities to over-indulge in media were limited. In fact, I once taught a set of siblings who won so many academic awards at their elementary school that the principal mailed their certificates and trophies to them at home because they felt it was pointless to even have
Rather than watching hours of TV during the week, encourage your children to read books that are interesting to them.
an awards ceremony as the XYZ family kids had won them all. While this is certainly a topic of discussion in and of itself, one of the things that I noticed while working with this family is that the parents only allowed their children to watch tv as a recreational activity for one hour during the week from August through June. Outside of this hour, they were allowed to consume television during family time (for example, if an athletic event was being aired) or if they were watching something educational (which was closely monitored). In families who had similar restrictions I noticed higher academic performance as well compared to my clients who were much more lenient in this area. Instead of watching TV or playing a video game, they were encouraged to read a book, research an interesting STEM topic (for which they could use their tablet or laptop), or write. As the school year gets underway, consider how much time your child spends consuming tv or video games and whether or not it may be beneficial to adjust it.
Keep it Balanced: In the same way that it’s important to limit unproductive habits such as overindulging in TV and video games, it’s also imperative to not go overboard on studying and extra-curricular activities. As the stakes continue to rise for students competing to get into colleges and prepare for the workforce, many parents want to do everything they can to ensure their children have the best opportunities to exceed including enrolling them in advanced classes, signing them up for community service work and piling on the activities they believe will help them stand out when it’s time to apply for college. While all of this is extremely important to cultivate a well-rounded student, too much of it can be detrimental as well. Many students who are stretched thin with academic, social and extra-curricular responsibilities suffer from depression, anxiety and even self-esteem issues as they try not to disappoint their parents, teachers and peers. This year, as you continue to give your children opportunities to flourish and thrive as students, remember to give them regular opportunities to rest, recharge and relax as well so that they will learn that they can have successful and balanced lives.
Connect with Your Child’s Teachers: One of the best ways to promote your child’s academic performance is to stay in touch with their teacher(s) during the school year. Most teachers will start the semester by sending home a newsletter with information about themselves along with contact information. Use this as a time to connect by sending a quick email to introduce yourself, find out when their designated parents conference times are, and to also let them know how they can get in touch with you should they need to. This will not only begin to forge a relationship with the person your child will spend most of their day with for the next nine months, but it will also inform the teacher of your child’s support system at home which is so important to their success a school. Afterward, take the time to touch base with them every couple of weeks in an email to make sure your child is progressing appropriately and that you are in the loop in the event that they aren’t. While teachers are very busy trying to educate dozens (and sometimes hundreds of students) at once, they will appreciate the efforts you make to be a mutual advocate for your child and their student during the time they are teaching them.
Outsource Help: Whenever a new client signs up for tutoring services with me I have them take a survey that has questions which help me to get a better idea of how to support them. One of those questions asks what the biggest challenge to academic performance is at home. Without a doubt, being short on time and arguments about schoolwork at home are the top two answers I get in response! To be sure, I have heard just about every reason a student may need a tutor and I have seen just about every kind of family dynamic and issue in the homes I have worked in that may be contributing to a poor academic performance, so I can say without any judgement whatsoever that if you need help, seek it out, please. Hiring a tutor, homework helper or academic coach to work with your child can provide a much needed mediator at times, give your child with the one-on-one time they need to be supported academically by someone they love working with and produce amazing results in the classroom and internally as your child’s self-esteem and confidence improves under their tutelage. In my years of tutoring, I have never heard a parent say the regretted hiring help and often it is one of the best things you can do to afford your child every advantage and opportunity they need to be their very best!
My warmest wishes to your family for a wonderfully successful school year, and before you go, please take a moment to let me know what you are most looking forward to seeing your child accomplish this year in the comments below ?
