Make school attendance a priority for your student.
Talk to your student about the importance of daily attendance in every class and how it helps their learning.
When students miss so much school they will not be prepared for the world of work and post-secondary.
Help your student build responsibility by reminding them to make up any missed school work after an absence.
Only let your student stay home if they are truly sick. Sometimes complaints of a headache or stomach ache might be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home. Contact a Guidance Counsellor for support if you think this might be happening.
Make every effort to schedule doctor, dentist and other appointments after school hours.
Plan vacations when school is not in session.
Check your student's attendance regularly through the TVDSB Parent Portal (click the blue box below).
Know the teachers and what they are looking for --> Attend Parent-teacher conferences OR call/e-mail the teachers (click on blue box below).
Set up a homework-friendly area at home --> This should be a well-lit area with no distractions. Have supplies such as pens, and paper available.
Set a regular study time --> Some students prefer to study right after school, other students may prefer to study after dinner.
Help your student make a plan --> On heavy homework or assignment nights, encourage them to break it into manageable chunks. Create a work schedule for the night -- Take a 15 minute break every hour.
Keep distractions to a minimum --> No TV, loud music or cell phone.
Make sure they do their own work -- > They won't learn if they don't think for themselves and make their own mistakes.
Be a motivator and a monitor --> Ask about assignments, quizzes and test due dates. Give encouragement, check completed homework and make yourself available for questions and concerns.
Set a good example --> Does your student ever see you balancing your budget or reading a book? Teens are more likely to follow their parents examples rather than follow their advice.
Praise their hard work and efforts --> Post aced tests and assignments on the fridge. Mention academic and school achievements to relatives.
If there are continuing problems with homework, get help --> Talk about it with the teachers, Student Success Teacher or Learning Support Teacher. Have your student attend Math Help, Science Help and/or English Help at Lunch. Some students may need a vision check up for glasses. Other students may need an evaluation for a learning disability or attention disorder.
Teens may have a difficult time knowing their strengths and interests. They may not know that what they enjoy doing can lead them toward a career path.
Your role as a parent is to encourage them to learn their interests, values, skills, strengths, beliefs, learning styles and preferred lifestyle.
Help them develop interests and passions.
Ask them the following questions:
What is your favourite subject at school? Why?
What did you like about working on a particular project or activity?
What was challenging?
What have you done that you are proud of?
Match activities and hobbies to careers.
How your teen spends their time is a sign of what they enjoy doing and are good at. Asking them questions to find out why they like their pursuits and get them thinking about the related occupations that might interest them. For example, if your teen loves basketball, you could have a conversation as follows:
What would you like about playing basketball as an occupation?
What other careers have basketball players gone to after playing basketball?
Do any of these careers interest you?
Help them identify and build essential skills.
One of the main fears that teens have about entering the workforce is that they feel unprepared. Help them build their confidence by identifying their talents, helping them recognize their skills, and talking about skills they still want to develop. Be observant and generous with your praise. Make a point of telling them successes that they can see. For example, talk about their improved grades and how they contribute positively to the lives of others.
Use Career maps so they can see the big picture.
A career map can help teens lay out the information they gather about themselves and create an idea of their future (click on the blue box below)
Prompt your teen to picture the future.
Ask your teen to think about where they want to be when they are 30 years old. Encourage teens to dream.
Questions to consider:
What will their personal priorities be?
Self-fulfillment? Income? Security? Family?
Will they work in an office or from home?
Bring your own career map to the conversation.
Make a map of your own career path. Try to remember events, interactions or opportunities that helped along the way.
How did you arrive at your current job?
Compare your map with your teens map and discuss.
Where did you begin?
What changes in direction have you made and why?