We’re pretty embroiled in getting ready for back to school, and based on the conversations, posts and pictures on Facebook, Twitter and blogs, most of the rest of you are too!
It’s extremely important to my husband and me that our kids do well in school and have a positive experience – and that they provide a positive experience for their teachers as well. Aka, behave yourself!
I’m doing a series of posts about BTS for Country Crock, and this week’s theme is setting kids up for success in school. Since my husband is a teacher, I turned to him for ideas. Here are a few things we came up with that we as parents can do to help our kids be successful:
— Encourage reading. This is a pretty basic tip, obviously, but it’s a big one. Andy teaches science, but he often talks about how crucial reading comprehension skills are for success in every subject – kids have to be able to read and understand what’s being asked of them, regardless of if it is a literature exam or a chemistry test. Reading is the foundation for everything! And it’s one of life’s great pleasures, in my opinion. So, read to your kids, obviously, but demonstrate the importance of reading in your life by visiting the library together, having books in your home, and reading yourself! The next time I’m trying to read a book and Kate wants me to do something for her, I’m going to say “Not now, I’m trying to be a good example for you!”
— Stay involved. It’s important for kids to know that what they do at school matters to us – the bad things AND the good things. We usually go around the dinner table and ask each other what the best and worst parts of our days were. It gives us all an opportunity to tell about things we’re excited about, proud of, or worried about, but it also gives Andy and me insight into what goes on during Sam and Kate’s days. We also make an effort to let their teachers know that we support them and want to partner with them in regards to our kids. Since I don’t do drop off or pick up for Kate, it takes a little extra effort to stay clue in to her school life, but I think it’s important to do so.
— Cover the basics. We can’t usually be in the room helping our kids learn throughout the day, but what we do before and after school makes a huge impact on their behavior and ability to learn. It’s our job as parents to provide for their basic needs – only we can make sure they get enough sleep and eat a good breakfast!
Ok, that’s all I’ve got! But of course I want to hear from you. What tips for helping your kids succeed can you share with all of us?
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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Country Crock via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Country Crock.
