Tips to support scholastic success
By Contributor
It’s that time of year again, and back-to-school can be made more enjoyable if you help set your kids up for success. Here are some tips for a productive school year:
Advice for all parents:
* Be interested in what your children are learning. Help relate what they are learning to the real world;
* Stay involved. Be sure that your children are meeting their requirements;
* Know your child’s school, the principal and especially your child’s teachers.
Primary Students:
* Let your children see you read, and set aside time each day for family reading;
* Read street signs;
* Ask your children to read to you while you prepare a meal;
* Get your children excited about reading by taking turns reading pages or acting out characters;
* Talk to your children about what they read. Ask them questions that require them to read between the lines and think about what they have just read. This will help improve their reading comprehension;
* Introduce your children to a variety of literary styles and see which one they most enjoy;
* Help your children get a library card and take weekly trips with them to the library.
Intermediate/Middle Students:
* Set up a daily homework routine. Designate a homework area away from distractions like the television and Internet, and with adequate lighting and supplies;
* When it is time for your children to do their homework, reinforce strong study habits by also doing yours: balance your chequebook, pay your bills or immerse yourself in a book;
* Let your children read comic books in their spare time because comics can encourage positive reading habits and can play a role in improving literacy;
* Help your children identify difficult and easy homework tasks and get them to tackle the most difficult subjects first;
* Make yourself available to answer questions and offer help, but do not do your children’s homework for them;
* Ask your children questions and have them explain what they have just read or studied;
* Encourage your children to write stories and poetry.
Secondary Students:
* Continue with an established homework routine. Make adjustments as needed, such as after-school or weekend time set aside for working on big projects;
* Encourage your teenagers to take 20 minutes each night to read over their notes from that day, or rewrite them using colours to highlight important information so they retain it longer;
* Have your children take regular breaks to help alleviate eye, neck and brain fatigue while studying. This will help them be more productive and retain more of what they read and study;
* Encourage your teenagers to explore magazines or appropriate websites on subjects that interest them to keep them reading. Most local libraries carry selections of magazines on a variety of topics, including sports, science, mechanics and politics;
* Keep an assignment calendar on the fridge for quick reference of due dates, exams and how they fit with other activities.
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