Between buying new school supplies, picking out that perfect first-day-back outfit, and packing a nutritious lunch, one thing’s for sure: back-to-school is a big deal, for kids and for their parents! Every parent wants to set their child up for success, and success in school is the gateway to success in life. So whether it’s your little one’s first day of kindergarten, or you’re looking to bulk up your toolkit before your child enters their final year of high school, we’re here with our top seven parenting tips for school success.
Tip #1 for School Success: Start the year off strong at Back-to-School Night.
It’s important to be involved in your child’s education, and that starts at Back-to-School Night. This is the opportunity for you to meet your child’s new teachers and get a better understanding of what’s ahead this school year. On the same note, be sure to regularly attend parent-teacher conferences. It’s important to keep open lines of communication with your child’s teacher. They’ll be able to notify you of any challenges in school and help you and your child navigate school.
Tip #2 for School Success: Make sure your child starts every day with a nutritious breakfast.
It’s an age-old saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But the wisdom is classic because it’s true! Breakfast restores energy levels, getting your child’s brain ready for the day. Studies show that, without breakfast, mental function, ability to concentrate, and memory all suffer. That’s why our first (and easiest) tip for school success is to start each day with a nutritious breakfast. That doesn’t mean a poptart or a bowl of sugary cereal. Fruit, whole grains, and proteins are all a good choice for your child’s first meal of the day.
Tip #4 for School Success: Be timely.
Timely school attendance is important for so many reasons. Getting to school on time ensures your child doesn’t miss important information. It also keeps your child in the school’s good graces. But most importantly, it teaches your child that commitments are important to uphold. By enrolling in school, your child has made a promise to show up at the correct time each day. Show them that it’s important to uphold this promise, and set the expectation for future promises, but impressing the importance of attendance.
Tip #5 for School Success: Don’t forget to ask about their day.
As a parent, you set the example for your child’s feelings about school. You want your child to feel excited and inspired by school, not bored or uninterested. Show your child that school is exciting by being excited about it! Ask about their day, their classes, their teachers, and what they learned. Keep up to date with what’s going on, and follow up with things they’ve told you about. Praise their wins, whether it’s an A+ on a spelling bee or high marks on a report.
Tip #6 for School Success: Help with homework.
For many parents, this concept might be foreign. Many of us grew up in families where it was the child’s responsibility to help with homework. Perhaps you’re afraid that your ways of thinking may conflict with the ways your child is taught, and that might confuse rather than help. Studies show that helping your child with homework can help them make substantial progress in school, especially in the subjects they need it the most. Remember that helping means just that. Help your child do their homework, don’t do it for them.
Tip #7 for School Success: Keep your cool.
You probably already know that the way you act influences your child greatly. The phenomenon of emotional contagion shows that kids can “catch” emotions from their parents—good or bad. That’s why it’s important to keep your stress levels in check, so that you can parent with a clear mind, no matter what life or school throws at you. Learn what works for you to manage your stress. Whether it’s regular meditation (we love Headspace) or calming supplements (like these potent CBD gummies), your stress management will set a good example for your child, and keep school stresses in check.
