When my son was struggling in school, I couldn’t be on his case all of the time. I let him know I was on his side,” Michelle Gibson, mother of two from Dalton says.
But what works for one child might not work for another. “My children were total opposites in middle school. We had to learn what worked best for them individually.”
Going back to school after winter break can bring the same worries from the previous semester, but it doesn’t have to. Instead look at it as a good time to refresh with the following tips.
Use Available Resources
It’s the age of technology and resources can be limitless. “Use online resources that accompany the textbook,” says Cathy Dubois, eighth-grade intervention specialist for Westlake Schools. “Oftentimes there will be practice games, flashcards or other review materials that will help develop a better understanding of the text and material. Other resources can include an array of tutoring options and academic support.”
Elizabeth Helmuth, a licensed professional counselor and mother from Akron, suggests taking advantage of resources provided by your school district and community.
“Based on a child’s individual needs, professionals working with the child can assist in linking them with appropriate resources,” she says.
Set Goals
Goals can range in a variety of different forms.
Helmuth suggests formulating a plan to get your student set up with small daily goals.
“If you see piles and piles of work, it can be less motivating for the student,” she says.
Gibson finds it is important to celebrate the small successes.
“When my son moved from (letter grades) D to a C, we celebrated,” she says.”Even if it was as simple as a high five. His positive progress was recognized.”
Also, Dubois recommends tracking their progress.
“When your student reaches the stated goal, then give a predetermined reward,” she says. “You can also set the stage for broader, long-term goals to have the student strive for. Take students on a college tour during their middle school years so they can hear how important grades are to get into college.”
Exercise Time Management
With sports and other extracurricular activities, time management may be an issue.
Car rides can be great times to help kids study by quizzing or reading material to the driver or listening to books on tape.
“Make it known that homework and studying are not an option and are part of the day,” Dubois says. “Help your student to find time after school that will be devoted to homework and studying.”
Get Organized
Organizational skills can be helpful not only for the student but they help to keep parents in the loop as well.
“An organizational tool such as using an accordion folder works wonders for my students,” says Julie Hagans, a seventh-grade science teacher at Northwestern. “Agendas are also very helpful.”
Hagans also finds giving students a break every 25 minutes leads to better organization.
“They are kids that have energy, so giving them time to just stand up and stretch really helps with behavior, which in turn helps with their organization.”
Dubois suggests having your student clean out their binders regularly.
“Help your student determine what work can be tossed and what work should be filed in the binder.”
It may take time to get your student on a productive schedule, but it can be well worth it.
“We set up a system and stuck with it; morning and evening. It made a huge difference,” Gibson says.
“Be consistent. It is said that it takes 21 days to build a habit, so for 21 days really work at consistently taking time for schoolwork at home,” Dubois says.
Invest the time now to build good habits, which will pay off later.
Participate
This is essential for both students and parents. The student needs to be engaged in class by participating and asking questions and parents need to be involved in the student’s progress.
Communicating issues that your student is having with the curriculum or with peers is crucial.
“Communication with the school is key. I’ve found that if the school is aware of an issue, generally it gets addressed,” Helmuth says.
“Participating and being involved in motivating my son was very significant to his improvement,” Gibson says. “I made sure I had full communication with his teachers and had them email me with any issues he was having that I was not already aware of.”
Helmuth suggests participating in group meetings with your student’s teachers. “Meeting with school staff together (school counselor, teacher, principal and school psychologist) gets everyone on the same page and makes it easy to agree and formulate plans for students without conflicting goals.”
Boundaries should be a part of your communication plan as well.
“Limit screen time and, if necessary, take phones or video games away until homework and study time is completed,” Dubois says. “Students need parents to help make boundaries.”
Sometimes motivation and focus can be a hard task for students.
“Let students know that they have the power to be successful. If they visualize and make a commitment to succeed, they will,” Dubois says. “It is not about perfection, but effort and developing good habits.”
