Create a Study Space
School success requires a good study space at home. Make sure your child's home study space suits his study style and fosters learning. Some children need a quiet, private place to study and finish homework. Other children may do better tackling assignments at the kitchen table, or where there's a little more commotion going on. Your child should never approach homework in front of the television, but it's alright to allow some background music, if it doesn't distract your tween from his studies.It's also important to stock a cabinet or drawer with any supplies your tween might need to complete his homework throughout the year. Supplies needed include paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, markers, paper clips, a stapler, scissors, a calculator, poster board, glue sticks, rubber erasers, and page protectors.
Help Your Tween Stay Organized
Keeping your tween organized is another key factor to achieving school success. If your child's school doesn't provide a daily agenda, purchase one yourself so that your child can keep track of daily homework assignments by subject, as well as after school activities, school events, and other commitments. Show your child how to organize his school binder by subject, and offer tips on keeping study guides, graded tests, and other papers organized and easily accessed when needed.At home, keep a family calendar posted in a visible spot and use the calendar to keep track of major school projects or research reports, as well as other important school functions. Be sure you budget time on the calendar for projects so that your child doesn't find himself frantically trying to finish a project the night before it's due. In addition, track your child's social commitments, so that he knows how much time he spends on non-school activities.
Stay Connected for School Success
Tweens don't always want their parents involved in their school lives, but even if your child doesn't want you to attend field trips anymore, it's important to stay connected to his school. Be sure you attend any school open houses or parent information nights. Keep informed of what's happening in the classroom by reading all the materials and newsletters your child brings home from school. In addition, the school website can provide detailed information about lesson plans, school philosophy, and more.You can also maintain an open line of communication with your child's teachers by communicating through email, or by touching base by phone when needed. Parent-teacher conferences are another wonderful way to meet your child's teachers and develop a relationship with them.
It's especially important to make contact with teachers as soon as you realize your child is struggle with a certain subject, loses interest in school, or complains that he's falling behind or doesn't understand a certain concept that's being taught in the classroom.
Nourish Your Tween's Body
Your tween's body and brain are growing rapidly, and neither can grow properly without good nutrition. Be sure your child eats a healthy breakfast each morning before school, and that you continue to offer healthy snacks and meals throughout the day.Consider Your Child's Schedule
Tweens are busy people, there's no doubt about it. Many tweens are eager to participate in after-school activities, sports, student government, music lessons, and other wonderful opportunities. While it's great to encourage your tween to develop hobbies and passions, it's also important to make sure that your child still has time to do nothing. Tweens need down time in order to hang out with their friends, spend time alone and with family, and re-energize themselves for school and all their other responsibilities.It can be difficult to know if your child's calendar is overbooked, but if your tween complains that he's always busy, or never has time to do what he wants to do, it might be time to reevaluate his commitments. Also, if your child loses interest in certain sports or activities, it may be time to take a break.
