What does a new school year mean to your child?
by Sharon Klafter, MEd and Kristen Tame, BS

August and September bring with them the start of a new school year. Does that conjure up thoughts of excitement in learning or a repeated struggle to motivate the children in your life to succeed in school?

There is no precise formula for producing a love of learning in all students, but as professional educators we offer some helpful hints that will start your child in that direction.

FOR PARENTS:
1) Find life, or at least a part of it, amazing yourself (share learning of new things).
2) Read to your child (discuss the meaning behind the words).
3) Promote responsibility in your child (emphasize the good feeling it brings).
4) Discuss your expectations for your child in school (and enforce them).
5) Focus on the positive things your child is doing in school (and talk about them often).

FOR STUDENTS:
1) Have a routine for homework (time and place).
2) Check all needed items before leaving for school (or better yet—the night before).
3) Have a goal of the day you wish to accomplish and envision yourself accomplishing it.
Share the outcome with your parents.
4) Find something positive that happened at school that day and tell your parents.
5) In your spare time research something YOU want to know—not something assigned by a teacher.
Be your own “information gatherer”. What you do with that information is up to you—1) keep it
to yourself –possibly in a personal log 2) share it 3) teach it to someone else

We cannot emphasize too much the importance of focusing on the positive things children do in school. Focusing on their weaknesses and not their strengths creates a self image full of defeat. Yes, practice is needed to turn those weaknesses into strengths, but allowing children to concentrate on their strengths with equal importance serves as a catapult to further learning. Allowing them the freedom to figure out their own abilities gives them confidence. You are their guide not only in school but in their young lives. Help them find the direction that will work for them.

IF YOU ARE HOMESCHOOLING . . .
Much of the above pertains to your situation also with some additions.
Model how to take notes from written material and from verbal instructions. Together, practice techniques for locating specific information in books. Have structure in your day making sure that your child understands the importance and excitement in learning.

Childhood, alone, is not where learning occurs. The objective is – to create the desire to be a lifelong learner.

Sharon Klafter and Kristen Tame
Elementary Educators
Live 4 Learning, LLC