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.
One of the most important aspects of parenting, is ensuring... Read More
When it comes to the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity... Read More
Those of you that have children know what an excursion... Read More
1. Tell me something you like about yourself? Help your... Read More
A common problem many times facing parents is Colic. Estimates... Read More
Home schooling benefits children. As a parent, I feel it... Read More
Bearers of life, wipers of noses, givers of unconditional love... Read More
The time you will need to teach your children the... Read More
Let's face it.The job market is getting tougher every day.Computerization... Read More
All too often, children with learning disabilities are seen through... Read More
When my oldest daughter was born, I walked the floor... Read More
You can learn a lot from children.The best part of... Read More
Arabella Greatorex, owner of The Natural Nursery, reports on the... Read More
Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More
Often, the struggle at dinnertime with your picky eater is... Read More
Some people can concentrate on an assignment, to the exclusion... Read More
It can be hard being a parent with a teen... Read More
Travel is a common theme in my life -- probably... Read More
What one word best sums up summer fun? Water. I... Read More
It's no surprise that the self-image and self-esteem of overweight... Read More
One of the most powerful tools that parents have for... Read More
In my opinion, these things matter...1. Enjoying childlike delights before... Read More
To protect children's self-esteem or deflect complaints by parents, many... Read More
Baby names are as diverse as the people to whom... Read More
This article on parenting is by a practicing relationship counsellor/therapist,... Read More
reliable maid service Morton Grove ..Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it.... Read More
Volunteering together is a fantastic way to spend time as... Read More
Whether children attend public or private schools, they benefit when... Read More
There are some grounds to assume that a cognitive dissonance... Read More
When you hear the phrase, 'guerrilla parenting techniques', what images... Read More
One of the implications of the current trend toward smaller... Read More
It's funny how people seem to think that they have... Read More
What is child sexual abuse? Any sexual activity that is... Read More
We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit how... Read More
Does your child pout, blame and brood? Does he gripe,... Read More
I am crying tears of joy mixed with great sadness... Read More
Here are fourteen spontaneous time-outs, specially designed to help you... Read More
Words are truly powerful things. They are something that becomes... Read More
Search for Assurance: The Power of BelongingThe job hunt is... Read More
Ritalin is a good medication with a bad reputation. Its... Read More
Chiladult? Whatever you call them, teenagers are a changin' and... Read More
I recall somewhere in the recesses of my aging brain... Read More
When my oldest daughter was born, I walked the floor... Read More
It's no joy to be sick. It's even less joy... Read More
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More
Congratulations on your new baby! You have just brought your... Read More
Children are moral and make moral determinations... at least until... Read More
Not all parents subscribe to the notion of "tough love,"... Read More
Not too long ago my teenage daughter approached me with... Read More
How should one look upon Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)... Read More
Parenting |