As the end of the Fall semester approaches, here are ten things to help your child be successful in school:

1.      Set an example: model the behaviors you are seeking.

If they see you reading, they will be more likely to do so. If you value learning, they will too. Discuss a routine with your child: a designated place and time to do homework every day. Make sure all materials are readily available to them. Encourage them to study as a daily habit, rather than cramming the night before a test. Encourage their curiosity and relate things to real life.

2.      Become involved with your child’s teacher, administrators, coaches, or PTO/PTA.

You want the school to know who you are and who your child is. It is much easier to address any potential issues/problems if a relationship has already been established. Monitor your child’s grades and progress via the online portals the schools provide. This will keep you from getting blindsided at the end of the semester.

3.      Make sure your child has healthy habits including getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, and participating in physical activity.

Decades of research have shown how vital sleep is to the growing mind. Nutrition fuels our body as well as our brain. Breakfast is important, and hydration is as well. Physical activity oxygenates the blood and clears out the “trash”, leading to better brain functioning.

4.      Limit screen time- enjoy more family time!

In today’s world, it is impossible to avoid screens altogether. However, family time is crucial to the development of healthy children and healthy parent/child relationships. Additionally, screen time should be limited around bedtime, as research has shown that the use of screens before bed negatively affects our sleep cycle.

5.      Talk to your child.

Ask your child’s opinion about things. Model how to have respectful conversations. Open-ended questions are best and encourage the student to use their imagery to express their thoughts. This will give your child the tools they need to develop relationships with peers and other adults.

6.      Learn through experiences.

Play games with your kids! They will learn valuable skills such as rule-following, taking turns, strategy, and how to win and lose graciously. Take “field trips”, like the zoo, library, a hike, sporting events, and bike or car rides.

7.      Reward effort, not perfection.

Don’t hold back praise for good effort, even if the goal wasn’t accomplished this time. This holds true for you and your child. If you- or they- backslide, that is okay! Talk about it and apologize if it is appropriate. This models good behavior and taking ownership of our actions- adults make mistakes too! Try to be 1% better every day.

8.      Practice, practice, practice.

What the brain does more of, the brain gets good at. This applies to all aspects of our lives, from sports, to learning, to socializing and more. The more you read, the easier it will become. The same holds true for math, writing, and spelling. Make the practice fun- gamify it!

9.      Mistakes are how we learn- they are okay!

They also help build resilience in your child. Let your child see your mistakes. It shows them it is okay! Think of mistakes not as failures, but as opportunities for growth.

10.   Be your child’s advocate, coach, teammate, and cheerleader.

It can be so easy, as adults, to lose our patience but remember that you are modeling appropriate behavior for your kids. The way you speak to your child will become how they speak to themselves, so be sure to use encouraging and supportive language. Communication about big feelings and circumstances will model the skills that they will need to be healthy and well-adjusted youth.