How Parents can Help their Keiki do Better in School

 

“Family is the first school for young children, and parents are powerful models.”

- Alice Sterling Honig

Keiki’s success in school can be enhanced when parents intervene. In the midst of our jobs, house work, chauffeuring kids to school, sports, and other activities, it’s easy to get bogged down with the busyness of the daily routine. In an already full schedule, it seems impossible to find the time to add “one more thing.” Reading is Fundamental provides 44 Proven Ideas Parents Can Use to Help Their Children Do Better in School. Here are a few of them. Please see their website for all 44 ideas!

Proven Ideas Parents Can Use to Help Their Children Do Better in School

(Author: Dr. John H. Wherry. Source: The Parent Institute.)

Photo: annais

Making Time Count

2. Use car time to talk with your children. There’s no phone or television to interfere. No one can get up and leave. And kids know they really have your ear.

5. Try giving children television tickets. Each week, each child gets 20 tickets. Each ticket can be used for 30 minutes of TV time. Any tickets remaining at the end of the week can be cashed in for 25 cents each. Parents can still veto a certain program, of course.

Reading to Your Child

6. Try relaxing your family’s bedtime rules once a week on the weekends. Let your children know that they can stay up as late as they want, as long as they are reading in bed.

8. Want your children to be good readers? Let them see you read.

Building Self-Esteem

14. Constantly look for ways to tell your children what you like about them, and that you love them. “When I do something well, no one ever remembers. When I do something wrong, no one ever forgets.” Those words were written by a high school dropout.

17. Help kids learn from problems, not be devastated by them. Many parents don’t ever use the word “failure.” They may talk about a “glitch,” a “problem,” or a “snag.” But even when something doesn’t work out as they’d planned, successful people try to learn something from the experience.

Discipline

20. For better discipline, speak quietly. If you speak in a normal tone of voice, even when you’re angry, you’ll help your child see how to handle anger appropriately.

21. Try a “black hole” to keep toys and other belongings picked up. All you need is a closet or cabinet with a lock—the “black hole.” When something is left out that should be put away, it gets put into the “black hole” for 24 hours. Once a favorite toy or something your child needs is locked up for 24 hours, there is greater incentive to keep it where it belongs. This works best when the whole family participates.

Solving School Problems

23. Visit your child’s school in a time of peace before major problems develop.

24. Make report cards a positive experience. Preparation: Ask, “What do you think your report card will tell us?” Perspective: Understand that a report card is just one small measure of your child. A child with poor grades still has plenty of strengths. Positive action: Find something to praise. Focus on how to improve.

Motivating Your Child

26. In addition to the three R’s, children need the four A’s: Attention, Appreciation, Affection, and Acceptance.

29. Motivate your children in math by challenging them to figure out how much change you should get back from a purchase. If they get the amount right, they get to keep the change.

Building Responsibility

34. One way to keep children moving in the morning: After they wake up, begin to play their favorite CD. Give them until the CD plays through to get dressed for school.

Reinforcing Learning

36. Estimating is an important math skill. We estimate how much our groceries will cost. We estimate how much time we’ll need to complete a project at work. You can help your child learn to estimate at home. Here’s one idea: As you’re driving, estimate the distance to your destination. Then estimate how much time it will take to get there. Use the odometer or a map to check your work.

Homework

39. Try playing “Beat the Clock” with your child during homework time. Look over the assignment and figure out about how long it should take to complete it. Allow a little extra time and set a timer for that many minutes.

42. Nitty gritty homework tips:

• Do the most difficult homework first. Save “easy” subjects for when your child is tired.
• Do the most important assignments first. If time runs short, the priorities will be finished. Do what’s required first.
• Finish the optional assignments later, even if they’re more fun.

One of the Five Protective Factors is Nurturing and Attachment. “A child’s early experience of being nurtured and developing a bond with a caring adult affects all aspects of behavior and development. When parents and children have strong, warm feelings for one another, children develop trust that their parents will provide what they need to thrive, including love, acceptance, positive guidance, and protection.” When children feel supported and secure, they are more likely to be successful in school. Parents have great power and influence; let’s use it wisely.