October 29, 2007
Help Your Student Maintain High Hopes For The Future

Having high hopes helps students do better in school, say researchers.

According to a six-year study, more hopeful students earned B’s and above. Students with lower expectations averaged C’s.

Students with high expectations were also healthier. They coped better. They had more athletic achievements.

To instill high expectations in your student:

• Help your child envision the future. Ask, “What do you see yourself doing when you grow up?” “What brings you happiness?”
   

• Help your child set and achieve short-term goals.
   

• Help your child develop his/her special talents—singing, piano, athletics, science.
   

• Avoid stepping on your child’s dreams. Focus on what he/she can do, not on what he/she can’t.
   

• Expose your child to successful people—in your community and through biographies.
   

• Talk about successful people. What attitudes, qualities and skills made them successful?
   

• Foster a “can do” attitude. Stress that success depends more on effort than on ability or intelligence. Hard work and persistence do pay off!
   

• Turn “setbacks” into learning experiences. Ask, “What did you learn from this experience?” “What can you do to succeed next time?”

October 22, 2007
Get Your Youngster to Talk by Asking Specific Questions

How does your young scholar respond when you ask, “How was school today?” or “What did you do at school today?”

Here are some suggestions to encourage your child to share about the school day:

Slow your life down. Reshuffle your priorities so you have time to talk with your child and time to listen patiently.

Look for moments to talk. Don’t always insist on a formal conference at the kitchen table. Utilize time while you’re washing dishes or driving kids around.

Don’t just dive into heavy topics. Focus on lighter topics first to get the conversation started comfortably.

Be ready to talk when your child is. Drop what you’re doing and give your full attention.

Be open and as understanding as possible—not critical or reactive. If young people don’t feel safe about telling bad news, they won’t tell or they won’t tell the truth.

Ask an older child to explain an issue to a younger sibling. This may motivate him/her to participate in family conversations.

Ask specific questions. “What was the best/worse thing that happened to you today?” “What was your favorite part of the day?” “What made that special to you?” “What do you think will be your favorite part of school tomorrow?” “What did you think about…?”

Drop in at bedtime to chat. This is when children are tired, their defenses are down and more apt to share their thoughts. Plus they will look forward to this special one-on-one time with you.

Admit and apologize to your child when you’re wrong. This not only breaks down barriers, models what to do when they err, it also gives children permission to talk about their mistakes.

October 1, 2007
Teach Your Young Scholar to Keep Study Areas Organized
There’s so much to keep track of as young scholars progress in school. Organized students give these tips for peers who want to adapt organization skills:

*Know that the key to organization is to simplify. The less you have to keep track of, the less likely you’ll lose things.

*Before going to bed, check to see that you have everything for the next day. Store these things in your backpack, ready to go, and your backpack in a place where you will remember to take it with you. Be sure your parents see the paper from your Wednesday folder and sign any forms meant for their information.

*Always ask, “Do I really need this?” before adding a paper, notebook or anything to a container, backpack, or study area.

*Create a study area to do homework without distraction and a place to have your supplies ready to do your work.

*Commit to a study time to start that will work for you almost every day after school. You might want to have a snack first, but be sure to not start too late.

*Start after-school study time with a five-minute cleanup of book bags, notebooks, papers and supplies in your study area. And be sure to clean up when you finish your work also.

*Once a week, clean and organize your backpack. Remove old papers, items that could distract you at school, and old lunch bags. Make sure everything in your backpack is organized so that you can easily find what you need.

*Keep a calendar or agenda of due dates for assignments and plan time for reading and long term assignments.

September 10, 2007
With your young scholar, talk about the hopes and dreams he or she has for the school year. Discuss how to support those hopes and dreams at home. What would it look like and sound like to work toward achieving those hopes and dreams? Share your hopes and dreams that you have and talk about how your child may support your success in achieving your hopes and dreams also.

August 23, 2007
Model respect in your family through your words and actions. If a member of your family uses name-calling or insults another family member ask that family member what it would sound like to speak respectfully, to restate what they have said in a kind and respectful manner. Make it clear that your family members are expected to speak with respect and kindness to each other.