Target: K-12 Parents/Students
Finding motivation can be difficult at any age. In fact, the past year and a half have been difficult on students K-12 with so many changes to how learning has taken place. If you’ve noticed that your child is struggling to find the motivation to succeed in school, the Leon K. Weiner Foundation is here to help provide you with the steps to help students succeed.
8 Ways to Help Your Student Succeed in the Classroom
As parents or guardians, how you foster your child’s success at home matters. Setting an example of positivity and hard work is a solid start but getting involved at your child’s school and committing to educational goals can significantly impact how your child learns. Consider these tips for helping your child succeed in the classroom.
Form a Partnership with Teachers: Getting to know your child’s teachers showcases your commitment to your student’s success in the classroom. Make an appointment to meet each teacher and discuss how your child learns; everyone has their own learning style. Attend all parent-teacher conferences to discuss progress and don’t be shy about emailing or calling teachers when your child needs extra help.
Stay on Top of Progress: The more you know about how your child is performing academically, the more you can provide emotional support and encouragement. Most schools offer an online platform to survey grades and progress. Check this weekly, as there may be missing homework or other assignments that can be turned in for credit. You can also contact your child’s teacher to see which subjects pose the most challenges for your child and together you can create a plan of action.
Find the Help Your Child Needs: In addition to teacher support, schools also offer special services when needed. If you suspect your child may be struggling with behavior or learning disabilities, inquire about the help that is available through the school district. Your child may need to be tested for learning differences/disabilities and may qualify for free support. Or you may want to hire a 1:1 tutor to build confidence, self-esteem, and skills.
Monitor Homework: Part of helping your student succeed involves knowing his or her workload. Make sure that you communicate with your child daily about assignments due and ways to prepare for upcoming quizzes and tests. Be sure to see exactly what the teacher assigned, not just what your child interprets for you.
Teach Study Skills: In many cases, students struggle academically because they are unaware of study strategies. Take a proactive stance in your child’s educational endeavors by teaching study skills such as outlining, notetaking, organization, time management, memory techniques, test preparation, and test-taking. Share strategies that have worked for you, or hire a professional, and consistently implement these skills at home.
Ask Questions: If you have questions or concerns about assignments or expectations, it’s likely your child does, too. Be an advocate for your learner and ask questions when they arise. While most parents can direct questions directly to the classroom teacher, sometimes a school counselor or school psychologist will need to be involved.
Be Positive: Positivity is contagious. Your child will pick up on when you feel frustrated, too. When discussing academics and assignments or offering homework help, maintain a positive attitude, even when this is difficult to do, so your child does the same. When approaching challenging tasks with a positive attitude, it’s easier to find a solution when you have the right frame of mind.
Encourage Responsibility: The reality is that you can’t take on the difficult tasks for your student. Show that you support his or her endeavors but encourage independence and responsibility when completing the tasks.
The Ultimate Support System
The key element in supporting your child is to show him or her that you are along for the journey, like a teammate. Having a support system not only helps to encourage positivity, but also helps your child learn that he or she has a helping hand when needed.
The Leon N. Weiner Education Foundation is also available to assist with furthering involvement in educational endeavors and student success. The mission of the Leon N. Weiner Education Foundation is to build foundations for the future by providing educational assistance to children and adults who are members of families with low to moderate incomes. Learn more about these opportunities at https://www.weinereducationfoundation.org/.