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.
We begin forming healthy habits at a young age. With... Read More
Giving advice to a teenager is very easy; getting a... Read More
Imagine yourself lying flat on your back, totally strapped down... Read More
How do we deal with our seriously distressed children and... Read More
Think back to your own childhood. Chances are, some of... Read More
WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS AT CAMP, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED... Read More
Just the other day my oldest son asked:"Daddy, am I... Read More
When was the last time you and your kids rolled... Read More
In dealing with children with autism spectrum disorders, its all... Read More
Just two days ago, another 15-year old child was added... Read More
If you are currently homeschooling or considering homeschooling your child,... Read More
Home schooling benefits children. As a parent, I feel it... Read More
"Home Schooling ? Look Before You Leap"Are you considering home... Read More
In our last article about the neurology of ADHD we... Read More
My son recently had his third birthday party and it... Read More
Most of our Founding Fathers, including Ben Franklin, Sam Adams,... Read More
'I felt great until I walked into the classroom -... Read More
Encouragement comes when you focus on your child's assets and... Read More
When it comes to exams, or indeed any academic work,... Read More
Dear Vijay,I worry about not being a good parent. My... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
Should a parent give a child a tangible reward when... Read More
O.K. So now you have taken the step of having... Read More
I am in pain. I've been in pain all day.... Read More
The brightly colored plastic mobile dangles lazily overhead in the... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Mundelein ..What are we teaching our children about money? Hopefully something!I... Read More
? Let the child choose his or her own lunch... Read More
Parents, when you help your children learn to read, you... Read More
Suppose that you rearrange your life to homeschool your child... Read More
Research literature, recent books, and common sense, all point to... Read More
Most of us recognize the continuing escalation of violence around... Read More
You have a chore to do around the house, and... Read More
This article on parenting is by a practicing relationship counsellor/therapist,... Read More
Ever blown your top to your children, only to regret... Read More
Finding answers to a child's underachievement is often a difficult... Read More
The question I have for you drives right to the... Read More
At the ADHD Information Library we are big believers that... Read More
Reading to your child at a young age is one... Read More
For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
Early childhood educators have called play "children's work". Many parents... Read More
One of my first memories of childhood is that of... Read More
I am sure that this list can be jogged and... Read More
During one "generation gap" quarrel with his parents young Michael... Read More
Well first off, please to don't institute the ? hour... Read More
The 'phone conversation had nothing at all to do with... Read More
``Mom, can I go to the mall with my friend... Read More
"What age should my child start school?"This is a common... Read More
I will never forget the day that my daughter's sixth... Read More
What would it be like to have a clone? What... Read More
The successful preschool idea behind many successful preschool learning centers... Read More
Parenting |