| Here are some tips for organizing a back-to-school | | | | reserve time for playing video games, watching TV, |
| routine. Kids feel more equipped to succeed in school | | | | and using the computer for when homework time is |
| when they understand their homework. If they don't do | | | | over. |
| their homework effectively, they risk getting further | | | | *Sleep. Based on each child's age and school schedule, |
| behind in their studies. | | | | choose a regular time for lights out. This time should |
| *Communication. Help your child get into the habit of | | | | give each child enough sleep so she wakes up and |
| bringing the student planner back and forth to school | | | | goes to school feeling well-rested and alert in class. If |
| every day. If the school or teacher requires a parental | | | | she takes a long time to fall asleep, move the bedtime |
| signature, take two minutes to sign the planner for the | | | | up by thirty minutes. If your child can tell time, you can |
| day. Be sure to read teacher comments. If you know | | | | also teach her to use an alarm clock to wake up in the |
| your child struggled with homework, you can also | | | | morning. |
| make your own comment. | | | | *Intervention. If you are involved in the homework |
| *Space. Establish a routine, for example, that you or | | | | routine, you might be able to discover if your child |
| your spouse cooks dinner while the other parent helps | | | | begins to struggle in an academic subject. Don't |
| the kids with homework. Be sure to turn off the stereo, | | | | assume your child knows how to ask for help from |
| TV, and video games during study time. Dedicate a | | | | the teacher. If you discover a problem, schedule a |
| children's desk or table in your home where your child | | | | conference with the teacher. Decide if it is appropriate |
| can study quietly. Guidecraft and Alex Toys make | | | | to bring your child to the meeting. At the meeting, |
| some really neat wooden desks for young children. | | | | establish a regular way to communicate with the |
| *Checklist. Teach your child to use a list of | | | | teacher, such as using a two-way journal, an email, or |
| assignments as a checklist. If your child tends to get | | | | a phone call. Ignoring the signs that a child struggles in |
| stuck on one assignment, perhaps in the same subject | | | | school permits the problem to get worse. Intervention |
| every evening, you can assist by assigning time limits | | | | is the key to finding ways to relieve a child's frustration |
| for working on each assignment. As your child goes | | | | with school and/or homework time. |
| through the list, he can check off completed | | | | Congratulations on your decision to facilitate a |
| assignments. If one assignment requires in-depth | | | | back-to-school routine for your kids! If you don't |
| assistance, devote time to tackling that assignment | | | | assume this important role, they will not receive the |
| after dinner. | | | | best educational experience. By setting up a routine |
| *Rewards. Give small rewards to your child for | | | | and encouraging good study habits, your kids are |
| meeting his or her study obligations, such as completing | | | | prepared for success. If problems occur, you are |
| all homework assignments. For example, you can | | | | prepared to take action. |