It’s the beginning of a new school year. Start your child off right with routines he can use throughout the year.

• Set goals. People who know where they’re headed are more likely to get there. At school, they decide they want to earn good grades and then figure out what they have to do to get them.

  Sit down with your child and talk about some goals for the coming year. Then break them down into smaller steps. What can your child do today to help reach his goal?

• Plan ahead. Some people seem to take the unexpected in stride. When the snow falls, they know where the shovel is.

  Other people are always amazed when things don’t turn out as expected.

  The truth is that things never turn out quite the way they’re planned. Help your child think ahead to be ready. You might say, “I know you are hoping to write all your report this weekend. But what if the weather is nice? Then you’ll want to play outside. Better write some of it today.”

• Finish what you start. Some kids don’t mind writing the paper, but don’t proofread and edit. As a result, their grade is lower than it should be.

  At home, they may just wash the dishes and leave them for someone else to put away. Help your child get in the habit of following a project through to the end.

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