School is back in session and that means less recreation, more education. Children are already dreading the piles of homework on the horizon. You, the parent, are probably concerned about parent-teacher conferences. If there is one common thread you share with your child, it’s that you both want to move on from school to do great things.
In order to get to better times, you and your child have to work towards them. Many school administrators acknowledge how important the parent’s influence can be. The main objective is to supervise your child’s lessons, but give them enough room to grow and discover ideas for themselves. Here are four tips that can help your child succeed in elementary and pre-school.
A Balanced Meal
Mornings can be hectic so simplify breakfast with easy to prepare items like oatmeal or half a bagel with peanut butter. Toaster pastries and sugary cereals are also easy, but they’re not very nutritious.
Any meal you make for your child should be rich in carbohydrates (whole-grains), protein (lean meats and dairy products), and fiber (fruits and vegetables). Explain to your children why certain foods are healthy and others aren’t. This will help them when they begin buying food on their own.
Organize
It’s important to let your children relax and play after school. But, there must be a point where you have to be the buzzkill and demand they focus on their work.
Give your child a daily planner to write down homework assignments in. Make sure they carry a folder for every subject. Before they go out the door the next day, make sure they have all the supplies they need.
Encourage them to keep their backpacks and desk spaces well maintained. They don’t need to carry every book or paper with them, just the right ones.
Rein in Media
With smart phones and devices becoming more common, it’s going to be harder to fight distractions.
Spend time with your child when they watch TV, play video games, or browse the internet. Familiarize yourself with current child friendly content. Don’t just set parental controls on your firewall, be them.
You should also take note of any underlying themes in the media your child enjoys. Take trips to the library to find books and DVDs related their favorite subjects. Find a way to tie their interests in with class projects. You could be introducing them to a fun, productive hobby.
Get Involved
Sending your children to school means you’re going with them in spirit. It starts simply enough by meeting the faculty and staff before the beginning of the school year.
Finding time to volunteer at your child’s school can be all about opportunity. Reliable adults are needed for chaperoning, event planning, and trade specific needs. A dad who’s in construction lend a hand towards renovating the playground area. If the school is considering an annex building, then a realtor could spring that for them.
At the very least, always ask your child: “How was school today?” or offer some homework help.
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