Top Ten Back-to-School Tips for Parents to Help Your Child Thrive (borrowed from challengesuccess.org)
Ask your child: “How was your day? Learn anything interesting? Get to spend time with friends?” instead of “How did you do on the math test?”
Resist the urge to correct the errors in your child’s homework. It’s your child’s work, not yours.
Work done with integrity is more important than an A. Pressure to achieve only high grades can make students resort to cheating.
Make time for PDF: playtime, downtime, family time. Research shows PDF is critical for overall well-being.
Create a technology-free environment during mealtimes. Every adult and child can benefit from a break from constant interruptions and distractions.
Collaborate with your child’s teachers. Assume best intentions and work together to solve problems.
Fight the temptation to bring your child’s forgotten homework to school. Kids gain resilience by learning from small failures.
An extra hour of sleep is more valuable than an extra hour of studying. Research shows sleep deprivation can be associated with depression and anxiety.
When your child wants to talk with you, stop what you are doing and engage. Does “I hate school” really mean something else: “I am being bullied” or “I don’t fit in?”
Help your child develop his or her interests and strengths. Discover what your child really loves to do outside of school, not what you think a college admissions officer would like to see on an application.
It is always important to practice proper study skills whenever completing work at home or at school. Some important things to remember:
1. Set up a study area, free of distractions, with all necessary materials and appropriate lighting.
2. Do the hardest things first when you have the most energy, then go back to the easier tasks.
3. If something becomes too frustrating, take a break and get back to it when you have a clearer mind.
4. Ask for help from a parent, older sibling, or your teacher, but don't expect someone to do your work for you.
5. Do your best...don't hurry through your work and ALWAYS double check your answers or writing.
Here are some links to great tips on how to prepare for various areas of the curriculum: