Encouraging Your Child to Succeed in School and Why it is Important

Encouraging Your Child to Succeed in School and Why it is Important

Andrea Keith, 06/25/2012

In fall 2011 over 49.4 million children were set to attend public elementary and secondary schools, and another 6 million were in private schools. In 2009 the national dropout rate was 8.1 % (National center for education statistics 2011). These Children who do not get their high school diploma are essentially guaranteed a life time of low wages, worse health than the average American and are at a higher risk for jail time. Children who are more successful in school are more likely to delay sexual activity, have higher self-esteem, lower depression rates, and less likely to engage in substance abuse (Brockman 2012).

We all have busy schedules, 80% of mother’s work, so how can we find time to help? Luckily children are naturally curious and by taking a few steps to make school work more interesting and fun your children will be more likely to want to succeed.

Make a plan. Along with your child set a time for homework and reading, this time should be 20-30 minutes for elementary children and 30-45 minutes for high school students, and should be uninterrupted time. If your child helps make the rules for homework time, they will be more likely to follow the rules. Stay consistent on these rules; don’t make excuses for them to skip homework time (Nelson 2007).

Be encouraging and make it fun. Compliment your child; help them feel that they are smart enough to learn their school subjects. Don’t tell your child that they can’t do their school work. As a parent if you treat learning as boring, you are teaching your child that learning is boring. Have fun learning with your child, children who think school is fun naturally do better in school, and want to learn more. Ask your children questions throughout the day that are related to what they are learning; relate their homework to the real world. For example when your child is learning fractions, let them help you bake show them the measuring cups and how the fractions work. Ask them for help in doubling the recipe (Nelson 2007).

Set the right atmosphere and example. Make sure that you have the right attitude when your child asks you for help on their homework, don’t get frustrated with them (Nelson 2007). Turn off the television not only for your child, but for yourself. Be a good example and read, showing your child that you enjoy reading will encourage them to read as well.

Know your child’s teacher and make sure you have an open line of communication. Volunteer at the school for parties and field trips as often as you can. If your child is having difficulties at school meet with the teacher or the administrator to see if you can work out the problem (Nelson 2007).

As a parent you might feel like your child is smart enough to succeed without your involvement, or you might not feel that your help will make that big of a difference. However, studies have shown that no matter the neighborhood or home situation children whose parents are involved with their education earn higher grades, take higher level classes, attend school on a regular basis, pass their classes, and have better social skills, graduate and enroll in college and find productive jobs (Bridgeland 2008). You are the key to your child’s academic success.

References:

Bridgeland, J. M., Dilulio, J. J., Streetor, R. T., Mason, J. R., 2008. One Dream, Two Realities Perspectives of parents on America’s High Schools. Civic Enterprises in association with Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED503358.pdf

Brockman, M. S., Russell, S. T., Academic Success. Building Partnerships for Youth, National 4-H Council and the University of Arizona. Retrieved from http://cals-cf.calsnet.arizona.edu/fcs/bpy/content.cfm?content=academic_success

National Center for Education Statistics. 2011. Back to School Statistics. US Department of Education. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=372

Nelson, P.T., 2007. How Parents Can Help Their Kids Be Successful in School. Families Matter! A Newsletter Series for Parents of School-Age Youth. Retrieved from http://ag.udel.edu/extension/fam/fm/issue/documents/FMweb-HowParentsCanHelpTheirKids.pdf