After the holidays, you may find your kids counting down the days to summer vacation. The last thing you want to do is let your children’s grades go by the wayside for the year’s second half. Unfortunately, it’s a common occurrence, according to several teachers. The weather gets better, kids get spring fever, and they anxiously await summer vacation. Below are some tips to help keep your kids focused during the second half of the school year.
Set academic goals
An excellent way to keep your kids focused during the school year is to establish academic goals. We’re halfway through the semester, so use their previous academic performances and work to develop realistic goals for your children to reach for the remainder of the semester. These goals will look different for each child, as each child has different academic needs that need to be met. It’s vital that these goals are based on positive outcomes.
Establish a consistent routine for studying
Kids naturally want to go out and play when the weather becomes more likable. Unfortunately, this can lead to kids rushing through their homework and studying, giving them more time to play. One way that you can combat this is by setting a scheduled routine for your child to follow so that they keep academics at the forefront of their minds. Your child will stay focused by giving them a place to study and a time frame to do it in.
Communication with teachers is essential
This may seem like a no-brainer, but effective communication with your child’s teachers is vital for their academic success. If a problem shows up, your child’s teacher is usually the first person to notice and work to reach out to you. You also have to feel comfortable talking to them if concerns arise. You and your child’s educator should be working together to make sure that your child is successful.
Vacations should be during breaks
While you may have the urge to schedule a vacation that works with your schedule, you also have to keep your children’s schedule in mind. Even though planning a vacation during the school year may give you discounted prices, your children will likely fall behind in class. Vacations should only take place during holiday breaks or summer vacations.
The second half of the school year is as important as the first. It’s our job as parents to ensure that we give our children the best possible environment for them to thrive. Keeping these tips in mind will give your children the ability to thrive in the second half of the school year and finish out strong.
Dr. Edward S. Thalheimer is the President and Founder of The Tutoring Center® Franchise Corp. For our part, we here at The Tutoring Center® are continuing to provide one-to-one instruction combined with The Rotational Approach to Learning® to prevent children from slipping through the cracks academically. Our programs help children achieve long-term success, build concentration and focus, and, with our outstanding instructors, find the love of learning. Don’t let your child fall behind this school year. If you’re interested in learning more, or you are interested in opening The Tutoring Center® in your community and joining a team of more than 120 franchise locations nationwide, please visit our website at TutoringCenter.com.