Help for Parents School Series by Carolyn Miskel

Dear Parent: 

Have you received a Mid-Term Progress Report for your child? Don’t freak out! These are generally sent to you if your child is not fairing well in his/her new grade content. Whether your child is failing the system, or the system is failing your child, all hope IS NOT lost. Talk to Jesus. Talk to yourself. Talk to your child. Talk to the teacher(s). 

1. Talk to Jesus: You will need direction for a plan toward progress.  
2. Talk to yourself: Remind yourself that you are your child’s first teacher and advocate. You likely know how they learn. You surely know their personality and behavior patterns. Do you have an after-school routine that includes homework/study? Remind yourself of any resources that the teacher/school shared (homework helplines, programs used for learning, websites).
3. Talk to your child: Ask them to teach you what they learned in school, while they are doing their homework. Have conversations about what they enjoy, approaches that are helpful, and learning challenges. Invite them to be a part of the solution. Run ideas by them. 
4. Talk to the teacher(s): Devise a partnership. Ask for further resources that would be helpful. 

October 2023

HELP! I need an After-School Routine. 

Hello parents, 

Are things getting out of hand with gaming and screen time? Is your child forgetting to get homework completed? Do you hardly see your child after they get home? It may be time to look at an After-School Routine.

For children that are young and must manage themselves, you may want to provide a visual checklist or task board that is tied to weekly rewards or allowances. Base the final routine on your child’s needs, attention span and learning behaviors. Give your child time to unwind after school. You know what it’s like when you get home from work. Set time for a snack break, nap (if needed), homework/study, chores, screen time (TV/tech/games), dinner/family time, and bedtime. Allow time to review learning, at least once a week. Have your child teach you what they’ve learned. This can be included at the end of homework/study time. You will be able to assess what they know and understand, as well as when they’ve not grasped the concept(s). If they are stuck, refer them to resources that the teacher recommended, to refresh their memory and help with solutions. 

Please DO NOT forget to allow your child to be a kid and not just a student. They’ve spent a significant amount of time in school during the weekday. They are a part of the family, a community, and society. This is just as important in producing a well-rounded young person. Make sure you are preparing them for these roles in life, as well.