Preparing your kids to do well in school can set them up for success for the rest of their lives because it ensures they work hard, and it also allows them to be great at whatever they put their minds to. It all starts with the parent.
Affording the Best Possible Schools
While hard work is important, sending your kids to the right schools is critical because the right school will challenge them while supporting them along the way. Consider investing for their future education by creating a savings account, such as a 529 college savings plan. There can be tax advantages to these plans, and they allow you to cover all or part of your child’s college education. You might also use a low-rate Private Parent Loan to help you pay for their education especially if you have not been able to save up as much as you would have liked.
Attending School Events for Parents
It’s a good idea to stay involved with your kids’ lives at school, and one way of doing that is by attending any event set up for parents, such as back-to-school nights. You can use this time to meet teachers and staff at the school and understand expectations for your child. Try to attend all parent-teacher conferences as well, as these are a great time to learn about your child’s progress while in school. You can have conversations with the teacher and learn about strategies that will help your kids do their best while in school. You can often request specific meeting times with your student’s teacher during the year and this is a great option of they have special learning needs. You will often be able to meet with any staff member at the school as well, and this can give you insight into your child’s behavior at school.
Researching the School
No matter where your child is in their educational journey, you should become familiar with the school and its website, so you have a good idea of what to expect. Know where the important offices are, as well as any athletic fields, gyms, or playgrounds. Look over the school website to find important contact information and put that into your phone. Sometimes, teachers will have a portion of the website where they publish tests, assignments, and any upcoming trips. You can often find relevant special resources on the site as well.
Making Kids Work in School
It’s important to keep up with your kids’ homework and know what they have to work on next. Doing homework can help kids apply the things they have been learning in school while developing learning skills and a good work ethic. Your child should prioritize homework, and you can enforce this by preventing them from doing anything else fun until the homework is done. Give them a good study environment, which should be free of distractions like TV or other people in the area. You should be around during homework assignments to offer assistance if your child is stuck. Still, try to balance that with encouraging them to search for the answer themselves.
