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Tips for Parents
Some of us remember middle school as some of the best years of our lives, others remember middle school as one of the most challenging times. The same holds true for students today. For some, school comes easy and for others, not so. As a parent, you are your child's first and most important teacher. With this in mind, we offer some tips to help you as parents in the task of guiding your child to success.
TIPS FOR PARENTS
TIPS FOR PARENTS
- Support, Understanding, and Discipline - Middle school students need all three of these to be successful. Every middle school student has heard a teacher say, "you're not in elementary school anymore". This statement is grounded in the fact that middle school is different and challenging. As a parent, you walk a fine line of being supportive and understanding, and at the same time providing the discipline that a child needs to be successful. Remember that although he/she is now a middle school student, he/she is still a child, and children need discipline.
- Communication - communicate with your child about school. This includes talking to him about his/her friends, activities, teachers, and assignments.
- Be Enthusiastic - Show enthusiasm about school and homework
- Goal Setting - Set realistic goals for your child. Focus on one goal at a time and reward attainment of those goals.
- Organization - Help get your child organized. Break down large assignments into smaller parts. Set out completed assignments in an easy to find place to avoid last-minute rushing around in the morning. Use separate folders for each subject area to avoid "misplacing" assignments.
- 30 Minutes - Provide a quiet study area in your home complete with paper, pens/pencils, ruler, markers, etc. A minimum of 30 minutes per night (without distractions such as television, radio, computers, video games, phone calls, etc.) is needed for success.
- NEVER DO YOUR CHILD'S HOMEWORK - It's not all about the grade a child receives. Emphasis should be placed on how much a child knows and what skills they have. Students can't gain knowledge and skills if parents are doing the work for them.
- Expectations - Expect progress and use specific praise when your child accomplishes something.
- Be Positive - Focus on your child's strengths in school. We are all made differently. Focus on the positive.
- Focus on Learning and Improvement - Scores/grades should be used in conjunction with feedback on how to improve. Instead of focusing on the score or grade, focus your child's attention on what should be done to improve.
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