TIPS FOR PARENTS

TIPS FOR PARENTS

Simple Things That Will Help Your Child Be Successful in School  

~Dr. Judy Zimny

1. Make a schedule. Adjust the schedule as needed but have a schedule.

Note: Children need at least 9 hours of sleep every night!

            a. Sketch out their time from when they arrive home until bedtime. Example:

                    3:00-4:00

                    Free time/snack

                    4:00-5:00

                    Homework or free voluntary reading

                    5:00-6:30

                    Free time but no TV or electronic entertainment

                    6:30-7:00

                    Chores/responsibilities

                    7:00-7:30

                    Homework (if needed)

                    7:30-8:00

                    Dinner (no use of phone or TV during dinner; TALK with each other.)

                    8:00-8:30

                    Chores (if not finished earlier)

                    8:30-9:00

                    Get everything ready for tomorrow (clothes, backpack, etc.)

                    9:00-9:15

                    Brush teeth, shower, go to bed

                    9:15

                    In bed (may read until falling asleep)

            b. Keep large family calendars as needed; they help to show the big picture.

2. Prevent problems.

Ideas for Creating a Student Workspace

            a. Talk with your children every evening about their school. Ask open-ended questions. What did you do? What are you learning? What kind of work did you do in class?

            b. Schedule family events around school events. Make school the family priority—including homework.

            c. Look at and discuss your child’s homework and graded work. Call or email the teacher if you are not receiving your child’s homework or graded work.

            d. Schedule school activities and due dates on the family calendar.

            e. Integrate both difficult and easy work into your child’s schedule. Build tolerance gradually for more difficult homework assignments.

            f. Allow snacks or treats when needed to get through difficult homework or reading.

            g. Record long-term assignments on the family calendar. Guide your child in pacing them.

3. Respond to problems.

            a. Get information first. Ask, “What happened?”

            b. Be sympathetic. “What a bummer . . .”

            c. Ask your child what he/she would do differently next time to prevent the problem.

            d. Ask your child if he/she would like some ideas on how to prevent or solve the problem.

            e. Talk with your child’s teacher if more information is needed. Don’t just “let it go. . . ”

            f. Focus on solutions versus blame. 

4. Limit TV and video games.

            a. Monitor them.

            b. Limit them. One to two hours per day is ENOUGH.