Parents play a crucial role in the success of their children in school. Parents do this by establishing expectations, recognizing success, and providing rewards. Help your child achieve success this year in school by providing the support they need to succeed.
Let your child know what you expect from them while they are in school.
Purchase a school organizer with calendar so students have a place to track important assignment due dates and school events. The organizer also becomes a place for the teacher to write notes updating you on student performance.
Here are some of the behaviors and expectations you may wish to include:
Preschool to Grade School
- Respect and be kind to others
- Listen carefully to directions, and obey them
- Do not touch other people and do not let other people touch you
- Work quietly
- Do the best you can
- Don't be afraid to ask for help
- Ask questions
- Raise your hand before you ask a question
- Listen quietly while others are speaking
- Do not bring toys or gum to class
As your child becomes older, expectations will change and your list may look like this.
Middle School & High School
- Be on time for class
- Be prepared for class when it starts
- Turn in work on time
- Do your best
- Ask for help if you need it
- Be proactive in your education and social life
- Correct social issues quickly and peacefully before they escalate. If you need help, ask for it from your teacher or principle, and always let your parents know what is happening.
- Academic success comes before socializing and work
- Special privileges, such as driving the car, increased allowance are based upon your grade point average
Be a role model and establish some expectations for yourself, here are some strategies you can implement to help them achieve academic success.
- Take your child for regular health maintenance checkups with the Pediatrician, Dentist, and Eye Doctor. Most major insurance companies cover annual check ups. Contact your health provider to see what your policy covers.
If you don't have insurance or can't afford it, check with your school district. Many states now offer free healthcare for minors. Remember your child's health is important not only for their well-being but also for their academic success.
- Create a set bedtime for your kids and make it consistent seven days a week. By enforcing a set bedtime and wake up children are assured they are getting the right amount of sleep. Sleep plays and important role in a child's health and success at school.
- Ask your healthcare provider to establish the hours your child needs of sleep each night and set their schedule accordingly. This also should include teens. By getting them in the habit of taking care of their health now, you assure them a healthful future.
If your children doesn't want to go to sleep at a certain time or refuses. Give them a lights out policy. They must be in bed and at least resting if not sleeping. They may not like it but it is for their own good. As an added motivation, for parents, consider the extra personal time you will have at the end of the day after they go to bed.
- Create a place for children to do their homework, my parents made us do our homework at the dinner table. It was old fashion, but we always did our homework and our parents knew right away if we were having problems in a specific subject. If your child doesn't have homework give them something fun to do that's not related to television.
- Limit the amount of television watched, kids are very creative once they realize that they cannot nag you into watching TV. Also, place time limits on computer gaming, and non-educational Internet use. Get them to play in the backyard, go for a walk or read a book.
- Make sure they get 30 minutes of exercise a day. “Exercise is beautiful” is a saying in our house. We have made is an important part of our day. It's difficult to get into the exercise habit, but once you start exercising regularly do your body will feel energized and when you don't exercise your body will miss it. It really does make a difference in your life.
- Don't feel miserable if your kids tell you they don't like you or hate you. Just tell them that you love them but there are consequences to their actions. A parent's job is not to be liked or even loved by your kids. Sometimes that means you're going to hear mean things said to you. By giving them guidance, you show that you care and love them.
- Hug your kids and tell them you love them and let them know when they're doing a good job. Correct them when their wrong but don't forget to praise them when they're doing things right. Good Parenting is balanced.
Parenting is a thankless job, but rewarding. Parents play a crucial role in their child's success in school and in life. By setting goals, guidelines, and expectations you create an environment where your child knows exactly what to expect. Consistency is the key.
Once the rules are in place, don't change them unless you absolutely must. Give your child consistency. Don't forget to praise your child when they are succeeding in school and following the rule. Provided recognition rewards to let them know you appreciate their efforts when they work to follow the rules. Positive behavior reinforcement is important to a child's success. Your child might not like having rules, now, but when they become adults, they will thank you for caring so much and they will understand the effort you made on their behalf.
