The #1 Thing Teachers Wish Parents Knew to Ensure a Stress-Free Back to School Season

 But let's face it, parents: when the holidays are over, and the new semester begins, our kids can struggle to get back into the swing of things. As a parent, you want to see your child succeed, but sometimes it feels like they're stuck in neutral.

As a children's success coach and a 5th Degree Taekwondo Black Belt, I've worked with numerous kids and parents, helping them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. And let me tell you, it's not just about the kids – parents play a vital role in their child's success. So, what do teachers wish parents knew about helping kids succeed after winter break?

Set Clear Expectations: The Power of a Pre-Game Plan

Before the new semester starts, take some time to sit down with your child and set clear expectations. What are their goals for the semester? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What challenges do they anticipate facing?

As a parent, you're your child's most influential coach. By setting clear expectations, you're helping your child develop a sense of direction and purpose. It's like creating a pre-game plan for a sports team – you're identifying the opponent (in this case, the challenges of the new semester), developing a strategy, and assigning roles.

I remember working with a young boy named Alex, who was struggling to stay focused in school. We sat down with his parents and created a "Back to School Success Plan." We identified Alex's strengths (he was great at math) and weaknesses (he struggled with reading comprehension). We set specific goals for the semester, including improving his reading skills and staying organized. And we developed a plan for how Alex would stay on track, including regular check-ins with his parents and teacher.

By setting clear expectations, Alex and his parents were able to develop a sense of clarity and direction. Alex knew what he needed to work on, and his parents knew how to support him.

Establish a Consistent Routine: The Discipline of a Champion

Consistency is key when it comes to developing good habits. As a parent, you can help your child establish a consistent routine that includes dedicated time for homework, reading, and physical activity.

Think of it like this: when you're training for a marathon, you don't just show up at the starting line and expect to perform well. You train consistently, day in and day out, to build up your endurance and stamina. It's the same with your child's education – consistent effort and practice are essential for building knowledge and skills.

As a Taekwondo instructor, I've seen firsthand the impact that consistent practice can have on a child's development. When kids show up to class regularly, they begin to develop a sense of discipline and responsibility. They learn to persevere through challenges and push themselves to new heights.

So, how can you establish a consistent routine with your child? Here are a few tips:

• Create a schedule: Plan out your child's day, including dedicated time for homework, reading, and physical activity.
• Prioritize: Make sure your child is getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet.
• Be consistent: Stick to the routine, even on weekends and holidays.
• Make it fun: Incorporate activities that your child enjoys, such as reading together or playing a sport.

Foster a Growth Mindset: The Art of Embracing Challenge

As a parent, you have the power to shape your child's mindset and attitude towards learning. By fostering a growth mindset, you can help your child develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

So, what is a growth mindset? It's the idea that abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work, dedication, and persistence. It's the opposite of a fixed mindset, which believes that abilities and intelligence are innate and unchangeable.

When kids have a growth mindset, they're more likely to take risks, embrace challenges, and persist through obstacles. They believe that they can learn and grow, and that mistakes are an opportunity for growth.

As a parent, you can foster a growth mindset in your child by:

• Praising effort, not just results: Instead of praising your child's grades or achievements, focus on praising their effort and persistence.
• Emphasizing progress, not perfection: Celebrate your child's progress and improvements, rather than expecting them to be perfect.
• Encouraging self-reflection: Help your child develop self-awareness by encouraging them to reflect on their own learning and growth.
• Modeling a growth mindset yourself: Kids learn from what they see, so make sure you're modeling a growth mindset in your own life.

Communicate with Teachers: The Power of Partnership

Finally, it's essential to communicate with your child's teacher to support their success. Teachers have a unique perspective on your child's strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. By communicating with them, you can gain valuable insights and work together to develop strategies for supporting your child's learning.

Here are some tips for communicating with your child's teacher:

• Schedule regular meetings: Set up regular meetings with your child's teacher to discuss their progress, goals, and challenges.
• Ask open-ended questions: Instead of asking yes or no questions, ask open-ended questions that encourage the teacher to share their thoughts and insights.
• Share your child's strengths and challenges: Provide the teacher with information about your child's strengths, weaknesses, and learning style.
• Be proactive: Don't wait for problems to arise – be proactive in communicating with the teacher and seeking support when needed.

I remember working with a parent named Sarah, whose child was struggling in math. Sarah scheduled a meeting with the teacher and asked for her insights on how to support her child's learning. The teacher provided Sarah with some valuable strategies and resources, and together they developed a plan for helping her child catch up. With regular communication and collaboration, Sarah's child was able to get back on track and excel in math.

Avoid Overpraising: The Dangers of Inflated Expectations

As a parent, it's natural to want to praise and encourage your child. However, overpraising can actually have negative consequences. When kids are overpraised, they can develop an inflated sense of self-importance and entitlement. They may begin to expect praise and rewards for every little thing they do, rather than developing a genuine sense of self-motivation and purpose.

Instead of overpraising, focus on providing specific, genuine feedback that acknowledges your child's efforts and progress. This will help them develop a more realistic sense of self-worth and a growth mindset.

Practice Active Listening: The Secret to Understanding Your Child

Active listening is a powerful tool for understanding your child and supporting their success. When you practice active listening, you're fully present and engaged with your child, paying attention to their words, tone, and body language.

Here are some tips for practicing active listening with your child:

• Give them your undivided attention: Put away your phone and other distractions, and make eye contact with your child.
• Use open-ended questions: Encourage your child to share their thoughts and feelings by asking open-ended questions.
• Paraphrase and reflect: Repeat back what you've heard your child say, and reflect their emotions and concerns.
• Avoid interrupting: Let your child finish speaking before you respond.

By practicing active listening, you can build trust and rapport with your child, and gain a deeper understanding of their needs and concerns.

Stay Calm and Patient: The Power of Emotional Regulation

As a parent, it's natural to feel frustrated or overwhelmed when your child is struggling. However, it's essential to stay calm and patient, even in the face of challenges. When you regulate your own emotions, you create a positive and supportive environment for your child to learn and grow.

Here are some tips for staying calm and patient:

• Take a deep breath: When you feel yourself getting frustrated or overwhelmed, take a deep breath and pause for a moment.
• Practice mindfulness: Focus on the present moment, and let go of worries about the past or future.
• Use positive self-talk: Encourage yourself with positive affirmations, such as "I can handle this" or "I'm doing my best."
• Take breaks: If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a break and do something that nourishes your mind, body, and spirit.

By staying calm and patient, you can create a positive and supportive environment for your child to learn and grow.



Conclusion

As a parent, you have the power to shape your child's mindset and attitude towards learning. By setting clear expectations, establishing a consistent routine, fostering a growth mindset, communicating with teachers, avoiding overpraising, practicing active listening, and staying calm and patient, you can help your child succeed after winter break. Remember, it's a team effort – and together, we can help our kids achieve greatness.