“Help! My high school student is struggling in ____________.” As a teacher for many years, and now as a principal, I’ve had many conversations with parents that reflect this sentiment. Parents really want to help their children succeed in school, but many times, they’re at a loss to know how.
Throughout my experience, I’ve seen that some common strategies for supporting students at home can make a significant difference in their academic performance. Here’s what I’ve found really helps:
- Establish routines. All students thrive in a predictable environment. When students know what to expect in class, they are able to focus on what they are learning, rather than figuring out what is going to happen next. This translates to the home as well. Establish a homework routine and keep to it. A sample routine might be to come home, have a snack, and then begin homework or studying. Having a set routine minimizes the stress of figuring out what to do and when to do it.
- Foster a distraction-free environment. When students are studying or doing homework, help them focus by removing the distractions from their environment. This would include the TV, cellphone, tablets, and other even other conversations. If your student works at the kitchen table, talk with other people in another room. Be considerate of your children as they seek to focus on their homework.
- Engage your student’s learning. Ask your student, “What did you learn today?” When he or she answers, “Nothing,” push a little harder or focus the question. Ask, “What did you do in Biology today?” Engaging your student in this way will serve two purposes. First, it will help to establish that what they are learning is important, since you are talking about it. Second, in order to summarize a lesson, a student has to understand it. By talking about it with you, your student will have to process and review the lesson in his or her mind, which leads to better learning.
- Manage conflict well. If conflict occurs between your child and a teacher, or you and a teacher, don’t engage it in front of your student. Support the learning process with your student and speak with the teacher in private. Just as it is important for children to see their parents as a united front, it is also important for students to see the parent/teacher relationship as a united front. Make phone calls, write emails, have meetings-- whatever you need to resolve the issues-- but stay united in front of your child.
- Keep grades in perspective. Finally, remember, it's only a grade. In our culture today, we tend to get so focused on the number that we lose sight of the actual goal-- learning. We don’t send our children to school to get an “A”; we send them to learn. A grade is simply one measurement of what has been learned and what still needs work. Focus on the learning. Use tests, quizzes, and homework grades to help direct your student’s studying. If your student is doing their absolute best and is getting a 75, then be happy and encourage them. If your student is getting a 95 and isn’t working that hard, then push them to grow more, even if they already have an “A”.
I hope you find these suggestions helpful. Each is simple, but can yield positive results. We still have some time left in the school year. Give them a try!
