Five ways to help your child do better at school
Use car time to talk with your children. There's no phone or television to interfere. No one can get up and leave. And kids know they really have your ear.
Parenting doesn’t have to be a demanding responsibility as viewed by many. Well, maybe not too demanding.
As much as modern parents have busy schedules everyday, they still need to be present in their children’s daily activities, including their schooling.
So, to try and make parenthood less challenging for our readers, we’ve researched five proven ideas they can use to help their children do better in school.
1. Making Time Count
*Put specific times on your calendar each week when you will spend time with your children. During that time, focus your love and attention on your child.
* Use car time to talk with your children. There’s no phone or television to interfere. No one can get up and leave. And kids know they really have your ear.
* Plan to eat at least one meal together as a family each day.
*Look for things to do together as a family. Get everyone involved in choosing how to spend your time together.
2. Reading to Your Child
* Try relaxing your family’s bedtime rules once a week on the weekends. Let your children know that they can stay up as late as they want, as long as they are reading in bed.
* Help your child start a home library; paperback books are fine. Encourage your child to swap books with friends. Check used book stores. Give books as gifts.
*Want your children to be good readers? Let them see you read.
3. Building Self-Esteem
* Have children make a “book” about themselves, with their own illustrations and wording. “A Book About Me” is a great way to help your child see themselves as “somebody.”
* Help your child discover their roots by talking with family members during holiday and other visits.
* Constantly look for ways to tell your children what you like about them, and that you love them. There is no age limit on this. “When I do something well, no one ever remembers. When I do something wrong, no one ever forgets.” Those words were written by a high school dropout.
* Let kids overhear you praising them to others.
4. Discipline
* In good weather, put two angry kids on opposite sides of a strong window or glass door. Provide each with a spray bottle of window cleaner and a rag. Then let them “attack.” Their angry words will turn to laughter…and your window or door will be clean!
* Try role playing to eliminate constant fighting. For five minutes, have the fighters switch roles. Each has to present the other person’s point of view as clearly and fairly as possible. Odds are, they’ll start laughing and make up. Better yet, they may come up with a compromise solution that both parties like.
* For better discipline, speak quietly. If you speak in a normal tone of voice, even when you’re angry, you’ll help your child see how to handle anger appropriately. And if you don’t scream at your kids, they’re less likely to scream at each other or at you.
5. Solving School Problems
* Try looking over children’s study materials and making up a sample quiz as they study for upcoming tests.
* Visit your child’s school in a time of peace before major problems develop.
* Make report cards a positive experience. Preparation: Ask, “What do you think your report card will tell us?” Getting ready is helpful. Perspective: Understand that a report card is just one small measure of your child. A child with poor grades still has plenty of strengths. Positive action: Find something to praise. Focus on how to improve.
* Be aware that your attitudes about school affect your child. If you hated math, be careful not to prejudice your child.
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