How To Help Your Child Prepare For The School Year Over Summer Break
Preparing your child for the upcoming school year is crucial, but it can be difficult to help them find focus and motivation during the summer months. When a student is struggling with their classes, however, summer break is a great time to help them find a more relaxed approach to their learning. Many parents have found that introducing something fun into the mix is helpful, and there are various ways to go about it, such as cooking, getting out into nature, and taking field trips.
Of course, it’s also essential to figure out where your child’s learning strengths and weaknesses are so that you can tailor a lesson plan to their needs. Every individual is different when it comes to how well they retain certain information and how they process it, so what works for one child may not work for another. Finding your child’s specific learning needs will help to reduce frustration on both your part and theirs.
Here are a few things to consider this summer before school starts:
Consider an Assessment
A Functional Behavior Assessment is a tool that helps parents and educators isolate issues with learning in a student, so they can figure out the best way to help that student learn and retain the information. It’s a beneficial process for students who exhibit behavior that inhibits their ability to focus, and requires some observation of the student in a learning setting to see where the problem areas occur. It can also be extremely useful in helping to diagnose a learning disability.
Make it Fun
There are many ways you can help your child find the fun in learning, no matter their age. Cooking is an easy way to help with math concepts for younger children, and it also aids in teaching responsibility and following directions. Look online to find out what kind of learning tools are near you, such as a children’s museum or a nature preserve, that can help your child find an interest in biology, and take a field trip. Introducing concepts that your child is interested in will allow them to make connections that will help them focus once school is back in session.
Schedule It
One of the most difficult things about summer for many young people is that there is little structure to their days. Even older kids need a routine to help them focus, so help your child stay on track by guiding them during the summer days. Set up a reading goal and set aside a specific time each day to work on it, or structure the day so that they can work on the concept that gave them the most trouble during the school year in short bursts. Limiting summer learning to an hour at a time can help keep concentration in place.
Prep for the Upcoming Schedule Change
Getting ready for the new school year takes a little preparation, so it’s a good idea to start a few weeks before summer ends. Talk to your child about their new schedule--especially if they are transitioning to a new school--and help them get used to going to bed a little earlier each night so they’ll be able to handle it when the time comes. Having a sleep routine will be immensely helpful when it’s time to get up early everyday.
Create a Study Space
Does your child have his or her own work area? Just like adults who work from home need quiet and space to accomplish their work, kids need a place where they can focus on learning, apart from other household activities. Home office spaces are desirable these days, so not only is this an opportunity to help your child learn, done correctly, you reap the bonus benefits of improving your home’s value. If your child doesn’t currently have a study area complete with a desk, appropriate electronics, good lighting and a comfortable seat, it’s time to set one up.
Helping your child prepare for the new school year over summer break takes a little patience, but with a little planning you can keep problems to a minimum. If possible, talk to your child’s educator about the best ways to approach the issues they faced during the school year. This will give you a good idea of where to begin.
Guest Post Written By: Kristin Louis via Parentingwithkris.com
