Parents play a critical role in their child's success. These seven tips from http://www.goalsettingforstudents.com explain how to help your child set and achieve goals for the new school year.
1. Set 30, 60 and 90-day goals - with your child. What's most important for the first 30 days? Ask your child what they plan to accomplish and help them make a plan to get there. Creating a regular routine with time for homework, chores, outside activities and free time is critical. Help your child tweak their schedule for the best way to spend their time. At the end of the first 30 days, review what worked and what didn't, and then discuss the 60 and 90-day goals.
2. Write it down. Don't just talk about goals. Have your child write them down. The act of writing down goals reinforces the message. According to John Bishop, author of the workbook, Goal Setting for Students?, "There are two great benefits to writing down goals. First, it is implanting in their minds a gentle, yet important, message that they are responsible for their day. Secondly, this exercise teaches them that they cannot simply blame others for their lack of effort."
3. Watch your language. How do you talk about school with your child? Do you praise their teachers and tell your child they can do it? Or do you complain about how hard it is and that the teacher is expecting too much? Avoid "bummer words" like no, can't, won't, never, maybe, and if. Focus on motivating words like yes, can and will.
4. Avoid excuses. Teach your child the importance of taking responsibility and minimizing excuses. Help them create a plan for big projects, breaking them down into manageable pieces with deadlines for each piece. Avoid a last-minute crisis by planning ahead and having supplies on hand. Bishop says, "Don't find fault. Find a solution."
5. Set up rewards that fit your family. As a family, discuss the best ways to recognize your successes. Be sure to recognize effort not just results. Want to encourage reading? Create a reading log, and go bowling or go for ice cream once you've reached a certain amount of reading time. Mini-rewards for regular effort can often be more effective than one large reward for the entire school year.
6. Model goal-setting. What are your goals for the next month and the remainder of the year? Track them - and show your child how you do it. Discuss with them where you are and what obstacles you have overcome. This discussion can easily lead into their goals as a student.
7. Eat together. Take time to sit down together as a family, and give each member the opportunity to talk about what's working and what's not working. Strategize solutions - with the TV turned off. A common reason families don't eat dinner together is conflicting schedules so if the dinner hour doesn't work for you, consider a family breakfast. Even checking in for 15 minutes over cereal can provide a much-needed time to connect.
With a few simple steps, parents can get their children off to a good start for the school year ahead.
Accent On Success? is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping students achieve success in the classroom and in life. For more information on the Goal Setting for Students? workbook, which gives students a roadmap for success, visit http://www.goalsettingforstudents.com.
As a mom of 4 who's youngest child is about... Read More
Do you remember how you first learned the alphabet? I... Read More
Teens don't learn responsibility overnight. If you haven't been working... Read More
As parents, we want our children and teens to grow... Read More
When my daughter was born, I must admit there was... Read More
Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of... Read More
Many parents struggle with solutions to put their child on... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Parents, when you help your children learn to read, you... Read More
Sitting by her Pinocchio lamp, she smiled at me as... Read More
A study done by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute found... Read More
Life is funny.My twenty-year-old daughter, Melanie, has a her new... Read More
Several similar terms describe the central attribute of a character... Read More
When parents help their children learn to read, they help... Read More
Saying no to our children is not always easy or... Read More
You have just received a call from your child's teacher... Read More
Researchers have estimated that 25-35% of children in the United... Read More
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is making... Read More
The Theme from MASHI flipped the button on the remote... Read More
Discipline is a necessary part of parenting yet it makes... Read More
Spare the rod, spoil the child!This philosophy's been around a... Read More
In stepfamilies, big holiday expectations can lead to big disappointment--and... Read More
You do what you can to keep your little ones... Read More
The successful preschool idea behind many successful preschool learning centers... Read More
Here are ten simple pleasures you can enjoy with your... Read More
home cleaning services Mundelein ..Goal setting is essential for building a successful life. However,... Read More
My thirteen-year-old daughter recently called me up to say she... Read More
It happens every year. Just when you are settled in... Read More
It can be said that any man who procreates is... Read More
I've often thought that in 6 million years, archaeologists will... Read More
We are all aware of the child obesity epidemic that... Read More
Teens don't learn responsibility overnight. If you haven't been working... Read More
In the last few years, parents started getting more and... Read More
``Mom, can I go to the mall with my friend... Read More
I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, plus... Read More
Not all parents subscribe to the notion of "tough love,"... Read More
We were sitting in the family room. My kids had... Read More
Here are fourteen spontaneous time-outs, specially designed to help you... Read More
Anyone can become a parent; there are no tests or... Read More
What's in a name? Er?well, everything, really! Of course your... Read More
As a parent is seems that the majority of your... Read More
Q: A parent writes in to ask, "You write a... Read More
There are times when my ideas of raising a child... Read More
Handing Down Malignancy.Children may begin bright and eager to face... Read More
So, the thing is? I am feeling a little guilty.I... Read More
Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters'... Read More
In my opinion, these things matter...1. Enjoying childlike delights before... Read More
The back-to-school shopping is done. Brand new pencils, colored markers,... Read More
Parents of hyperactive children know the "Would you please just... Read More
Researched through personal experience!Budget Your Money. Even if you are... Read More
Parenting |