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Education
Views
 Halfway
Through The School Year
Doing Better During the Rest of the School Year
December 2005
by Barry H. Willen, Executive Director of Sylvan
Learning Centers in Eldersburg and Westminster
With
the holidays coming up and winter break beginning, parents and students
need to assess how the first half of the school year has gone. You
need to renew or strengthen your commitment to helping your child
make the most of the remaining school year. Here’s how.
Review and renew. Sit down with your child and assess how things
have gone at school thus far. Ask your child: What can we do to
make the second half of the year as good as, or better than, the
first half? Be specific. Have your child come up with some concrete
examples of subject areas in which he excelled, and why, as well
as areas that need improvement, and ways to make that happen. Then,
take the list out on a regular basis throughout the remainder of
the year as a reminder of your commitments.
Stay involved. As children progress from the earlier to the more
advanced grades, they are required to take on increasing amounts
of responsibilities. Though your children need to eventually become
independent, they still need your assistance now. Parents must stay
involved every step of the way, but do not get too intrusive. Know
how much homework he needs to do, when he has tests, and when long-term
projects are due. Research shows that the most successful students
have one thing in common; they have involved parents.
Commit to communicate. Make it your New Year’s resolution
to have daily discussions with your child about school. If your
child does not seem willing to talk about what happens at school,
check your approach. What’s your tone? Are you judgmental?
Are you attempting to solve problems or give advice? If your child
feels threatened by your motives, he’s likely to clamp down.
But if you simply listen, chances are you’ll get more out
of him. Also, if you have not maintained periodic communication
with your child’s teachers, start doing that as well. Talking
with her teacher will help you to find out what happens at school.
Take time for family. Children should spend as much time building
family memories as they are evaluating academic progress. Strengthening
bonds with your children in non-pressure situations, will help make
it easier for them to turn to you for academic support.
This column is contributed by Barry H. Willen, Executive Director
of Sylvan
Learning Centers in Eldersburg and Westminster. You
may contact Barry at 410-552-1966 or sylvaneldersburg@yahoo.com.
Read
May 2005 Education Views
Early June 2005 Education Views
Mid June 2005 Education Views
July 2005 Education Views
August 2005 Education Views
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