As the winter break comes to a close, a new term awaits, and that can fill many children with dread. However, school doesn’t have to be synonymous with fear and in fact can be enjoyable and exciting. At Tutor Doctor we know how important it is for kids to enjoy school and have a positive attitude towards learning. Here are a few ways you can help your children learn to love school and get on the right track for 2017.
Be a Role Model
As a parent, you are probably the most influence in your child’s life. Displaying a positive attitude towards school is extremely important as it will set an example that your child can adopt.
Get Your Child Involved
Often kids think school is just about homework and hours spent in the classroom. However it’s also about fun after-school activities such as sports and clubs. Encourage your kids to pursue their interests outside of regular school hours as this will give them something to look forward to once the school day is over. There are probably many possible activities, so there’s bound to be something for everyone!
Avoid Over-scheduling
On the flip side, it’s also important that your kids aren’t overscheduled. Make sure they have a healthy balance of after-school activities, time to complete homework, time to socialise and a few hours to relax too. If they do have a different activity every day it might burn them out, which could lead to negative associations with school. If this is the case, ask your child which two activities/clubs they enjoy the most and cut the others from their schedule.
Have a Homework Routine
Homework is still a huge part of school for any child. Making sure your child has designated homework time as part of their everyday routine is crucial. It will ensure they have time to study and stay on top of their schoolwork, meaning they will always be ready for their lessons. There really is nothing worse for children than to know they’re unprepared or haven’t completed the work that’s due — in fact, it will make them dread going to school even more. Having a fun, vibrant homework space for them at home will also make this assigned time much easier and — dare we say — enjoyable.
Encourage Meaningful Relationships
Remind your child that with friends, quality is much more important than quantity. Avoiding the word ‘popular’ is also a good idea- instead encourage your child to have a few meaningful friendships. Knowing they have a great circle of friends at school to talk to, play with and share problems with will make it much more fun!
Show an Interest
Always try and show an active interest in your child’s school life and remain positive when discussing it with them. Ask about assignments, what subjects they are enjoying, who is their favourite teacher — anything school related, really. Doing this will encourage them to say out loud about all the things they love about school, which should help them realise that it’s not as bad as they think and that many aspects are exciting! If you can, why not try and go the extra mile by volunteering or being aware of what’s going on in the school community? Doing this shows your kids that you value the effort they put in at school and that you care about how they are progressing.
