[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a parent, you are your child's first and most important teacher, in many aspects. However, once little ones enter school, they become exposed to a wide range of additional ideas, views and information. While this is obviously beneficial, long hours in the classroom, coping with teachers and peers and keeping up with academic demands can be a challenge for many kids ? mentally, physically and emotionally. Children who are consistently provided with support, compassion, encouragement and understanding are most likely to be successful in their daily school experience. These tips can help.
Set Up Your Child for Student Success
1. Keep it positive
As most parents know, kids have varying levels of interest and enthusiasm towards school. Their feelings on the subject may change based on new teachers, classes, social situations, projects and assignments, as well as how they are feeling mentally, physically or emotionally on a given day. Ideally, you can help them to form a positive mindset initially and continue offering uplifting support and counsel on a regular basis. Any problem is easier to tackle with an attitude of optimism
. Such an approach can be positively contagious!
2. Connect with school staff
It is much easier to support your child’s school experience if you are acquainted with the adults he or she interacts with daily when you are not present. Sometimes kids will offer feedback on teachers, so listen up. Whether they think a teacher is “cool” or “mean,” find out why. This matters, as it can expand your understanding. Additionally, attending back to school events ensure that you meet teachers early on. They will often provide insights into their personalities, teaching style, planned curriculum and more. Once you establish a connection, you can feel more comfortable emailing with questions, concerns or just to check in.
3. Tune in
Your child’s general attitude about school may also undergo phases, which is natural. For example, they may be happily engaged and doing well generally, but periodically encounter problems with teachers, peers, homework, projects, testing, etc. As these dynamics may vary, it pays to check in with your child regularly, tactfully and with compassion. If kids learn early on that it is safe to share what they are feeling and experiencing, they will often be more communicative and trusting, making it easier to address potential problems in the years to come.
4. Stay informed
Most schools offer a great deal of information about daily activities, projects and events. To stay abreast, read the emails, flyers, packets and circulars you receive, even if you are busy. The more you know, the better you can ensure that your child has access to all school-related opportunities and resources. Committed school staff and administrators should, and typically do, welcome questions. Again, establishing email connections with key players at your child’s school makes it easier to check in about schoolwork, behavior, health/wellness, peer-related issues or anything else that may arise.
5. Emphasize ethics and responsibility
School offers enlightenment in many guises. While the actual material studied is obviously important, the entire experience is educational, as it takes a considerable effort to participate consistently and do well. Conveying to kids that school is both a privilege and
a responsibility is important. While we want them to enjoy the journey, it is healthy for kids to feel accountable for their academic experience. This means showing up and doing the work, every day. Ethics also factor in, as academia offers lessons about honesty, equality, integrity, tolerance and other intrinsically valuable human traits, helping young people develop the framework to accomplish any worthwhile endeavor.
6. Resolve conflicts peacefully
All human endeavors include potential conflicts, and academia is no exception. You may find yourself facing issues as diverse as personality clashes, questionable school practices, bullying or other peer issues, behavior problems, even mental/emotional health concerns. Whatever conflicts or issues arise, calmly get the facts, and respectfully learn your child’s perspective, avoiding blame and shame. It pays to remain objective, assessing what worked well, and what might be a better choice next time. This approach also helps nourish healthy self-esteem in kids, and is an invaluable life skill to exemplify, at any age.
There are numerous additional ways to help ensure your children thrive at school, but these fundamentals are invaluable building blocks for what should be not only a positive educational experience, but a happy and fulfilling one as well.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="2/12"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="3/12"][vc_single_image image="162935" img_size="full" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://www.vitacost.com/natures-way-kids-brain-builder"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="2/12"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="3/12"][vc_single_image image="162934" img_size="full" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://www.vitacost.com/hylands-kids-naturals-organic-eldeberry-plus-gummies"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="2/12"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]