This article is part of the following topics:   Back to School Middle School Motivating Your Child

Get a Great Start to Make Your Child’s Year a Success

Teachers, counselors and parents say doing these things helps ensure children get off to a great start:

- Review safety lessons—how to walk to school safely or ride the bus; classroom and school rules for behavior.

- Provide the supplies. Let your child go with you to buy them. This will help him get excited about school.

- Put your child’s name on things so they won’t get lost.

- Set the scene for homework. Match the environment to your child’s work style. Some children need quiet. Others are helped by a little sound—like classical music.

- Start your morning at night. Help your child choose the day’s cloths. Pack lunch. Gather homework and sign school papers. Line up breakfast.

- Establish bedtime and homework routines. Pick a time that your child will do homework and go to bed. Then stick to it.

- Don’t overschedule your child. Give him time to unwind after school—especially during the first few weeks of adjusting. Make sure he has free time to just play every day.

- Meet your child’s teacher. How can you help her? Ask about homework. How can you help your child at home?

- Teach respect by showing respect. Say “please” and “thank you” to your child.

- Be genuinely interested in your child’s school work. Ask about school every day. Ask him to teach you what he’s learning.

- Say at least one positive thing to your child each day.

- Insist that your child try hard to be a good student. If school is important to you, it will be important to him.

Copyright © Parent Institute

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