1. Go to Parent-Teacher Events
Sometimes your child may not be honest about how they are doing in school. They might be embarrassed to admit when they’re struggling.
Attending parent-teacher conferences is a great way to stay informed of your child’s progress.
You can even ask the teacher for at-home suggestions to improve your child’s grades.
These are usually scheduled at the beginning and middle of the year, but you can request one at any time.
In addition, attend back-to-school nights, which allow you to get to know their teachers. Plus, you better understand the course curriculum and what the professor’s expectations are.
Then you are more prepared to guide your kid in the right direction.
2. Tour the School and Website
Knowing the building layout can help you relate to your child. You want to have a general idea of where the main office, school nurse, and auditorium are. Plus, this is useful if you have to pick up your child at a particular spot after school.
Also, review the school website.
It has valuable information such as the calendar and contact information for staff members. You can also find things about school dances and testing dates.
Some teachers may have their own website with information textbooks and homework assignments.
3. Encourage Them to Keep Up With Work
As students grow older, the more intense and time-consuming the work becomes. To help your child focus:
- Provide them with a quiet and well-lit place to study.
- Give them all the necessary tools, such as desks and school supplies.
- Ensure the space is free from distractions by taking away their phone or turning off the television.
- Check-in periodically to ensure your child is on the right track.
In addition, understand your kid’s coursework load and encourage them to create a routine. Have them start homework at the same time each night.
To prevent procrastination, have them create to-do lists and set SMART goals, which are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-sensitive.
4. Create a Healthy Morning Routine
Have your child start the day right with a nutritious breakfast.
This can include food such as eggs, french toast, or cereal. Also, look for foods rich in whole grains, fiber, and protein. If you’re in a hurry, consider sending your child to school with a bag of fruit or yogurt.
A good breakfast can give them energy for the day and improve concentration and memory.
Another thing to keep in mind is teenagers need enough sleep to focus on school work.
They need at least nine hours of rest a night. To sleep better at night, have them wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends.
Plus, have them turn off electronics before bed.
5. Teach Them Time-Management Skills
Students have to juggle multiple responsibilities, from classes to extra-curricular activities. That’s why time management is critical but often not taught in schools.
So, help your kids be better organized by buying them a folder and notebook for each class.
Then show them how to use a planner to keep track of assignments and activities.
They can schedule study times as well. To help your child manage their time effectively, have them create a to-list and prioritize tasks.
To determine the most important ones, start with upcoming deadlines and expectations. Your kids can also use a time-management app, such as Todist.
6. Model Good Study Skills
Teaching your kids effective study techniques can improve their grades. This starts with careful planning. First, know when your child’s tests are and how much time it will take to study for them.
Then create a calendar to schedule study times between each test. It can help your kid feel less overwhelmed and not procrastinate.
Also, remind them of the importance of taking notes in class and reviewing them at home.
Try studying strategies like asking them questions or designing practice tests. Also, encourage your kids to make connections between topics and teach you the concepts. Along with learning, kids need to get a good night’s sleep.
7. Give them Time to Solve Problems
Often as a parent, your first response may be to help your child immediately. However, it’s critical to give them time to work out the solution independently.
You can help guide them, but try not to give away the answer right away.
It can deprive them of the opportunity to develop problem-solving skills and can hinder their academic performance in the future. However, if they have given it a valid effort first, it’s appropriate to help.
How to Help Your Child Succeed Academically
Children need encouragement and guidance to succeed academically.
While teachers play a vital role in this, parents can also help. You can teach them proper studying skills and send them off to school ready to learn.
So, follow these tips for a productive school semester.