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.
Many parental units are not "techies" and openly admit they... Read More
In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More
The key to lifelong learning is reading and writing. When... Read More
As I sit here and reflect on the past two... Read More
What is hard for parentsLetting them learn from their mistakes.Trying... Read More
Having a babysitter take care of your kids is sometimes... Read More
"If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think... Read More
Now is an excellent time to have your child's vision... Read More
How in the world do you get your child to... Read More
Some children practically potty train themselves, while others struggle and... Read More
Choosing to leave your child with a caregiver is one... Read More
Software for parental control is a useful tool, if applied... Read More
I used to have a really challenging job. It was... Read More
In speaking with parents a comment I frequently hear is... Read More
Why do some children still do best after divorce and... Read More
Criticism is punitiveOur children judge themselves on the opinions we... Read More
We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit how... Read More
Whenever parents discuss how to deal with bed wetting, the... Read More
Dear friends here we will charge up our mind with... Read More
The last decade has seen heightened interest in and awareness... Read More
I've learned numerous, important lessons on life, motherhood and men... Read More
Vacations are fun ! Weekends with the family are nice.... Read More
In the news, we hear and see an increasing number... Read More
We're all familiar with the over-indulgent parent. But there's another... Read More
Reading to your child at a young age is one... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More
As our children grow, they will be going to schools... Read More
Much has been said about the "gifted child" but in... Read More
MYTH: All teens have to rebel, and the teen years... Read More
The popularity of EEG Biofeedback Training continues to grow both... Read More
I'll never forget my first lesson in a glider.I'd been... Read More
There is nothing quite like hiking with small children. The... Read More
Here is something that you might want to keep if... Read More
"Do not think that love, in order to be genuine,... Read More
Tripping over the shoes and toys that seem to clutter... Read More
Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning... Read More
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
As a parent you will be asked to assist with... Read More
Strollers offer a wonderful and convenient service to parents and... Read More
Sitting by her Pinocchio lamp, she smiled at me as... Read More
Life is full of competition -- even in childhood. Kids... Read More
John was a 43 year-old sales manager at a large... Read More
People always ask my wife and I: "How did you... Read More
Past experience with federal education programs predicts that the No... Read More
Whether we realize it or not we teach our children... Read More
The children of Baby Boomers, the Echo Generation, are entering... Read More
My name is Duncan and I'm 2 years old. I... Read More
One of my first memories of childhood is that of... Read More
While on a recent trip to the grocery store, I... Read More
Managing money is one of the most critical skills we... Read More
Parenting |