Keep Your Family On Track At School
With the school year well underway, students have had their fair share of assignments and assessments. And while they may have started the year energized and ready to learn, at this point, some of the excitement may have worn off. You can keep your children on track at school by putting these supports in place at home.
Create a homework zone.
Make sure you have a dedicated space for children to complete their homework and study for tests. Some children need a quiet space for schoolwork, while others prefer to work with some background noise. Stock the area with appropriate school supplies, like pens, scrap paper, or a computer charger.
Show interest in assignments and grades.
Ask your children what they are learning in school, check that they are doing their homework, and help them study for tests. Some children may need very little hand-holding, while others will need more frequent monitoring to hold them accountable.
Stay in touch with their teachers.
Teachers often send home weekly communications or updates before big assignments. Read these emails promptly and check in with your children as needed. If your child is having trouble understanding what is being taught, reach out to the teacher (or, for older children, have them send an email) to request additional help.
Ensure they get enough sleep.
Studies show that children who get the recommended amount of sleep perform better in school, achieving higher test scores and better grades. Elementary school students need nine to 12 hours of sleep per night, while middle- and high-schoolers should aim for eight to 10 hours of sleep a night.
Praise a job well done.
When your child does well on a test or completes a challenging project, let them know you are proud of them! Your words will make them feel good and build their confidence. This can help to motivate them to keep up the good work and improve their learning outcomes. Your praise doesn’t only have to come after good news; you can recognize their hard work at any point.
