InformatioNation InformatioNationBlog.com
Students and teachers alike are excited as we enter the home stretch of an unprecedented and challenging school year. Students at Brentwood private school Currey Ingram Academy have been working so hard and deserve some much-needed time off.
Much like marathoners at the 20th mile mark, students might feel that they are “hitting a wall” during this “home-stretch” season. Common among endurance athletes, this refers to a feeling of fatigue and energy loss. It’s important that the adults in these children’s lives are there to help them stay the course and finish the school year strong. Here are some ways you can show your support:
Continue checking in. Although you are by now well-acquainted with your child’s school schedule, it’s still important to engage them in conversation and ask how their day went. Showing interest in your child’s daily activities will help keep them motivated until the end of the year.
Stick to established routines. Parents might become lenient with enforcing bedtime routines, for example, as the school year is about to end. Continue to make time for homework or at-home reading. This will help your child develop responsibility and perseverance, reminding them that the work doesn’t stop until the job is done.
Lead by example. Words matter. If your child hears you say that you can’t wait for the school year to be over, he or she will most likely adopt this mindset as well. Avoid speaking negatively about school or schoolwork in the presence of your child, if possible. Encourage them to do their best and not skip or be late for class without a good reason to do so.
Celebrate wins, no matter how small. What might be easy for some students might be a struggle for your child, and vice versa. Recognize accomplishments and take the time to celebrate them; consider having dinner at a favorite restaurant after an exam, for example.
Strike a balance between work and play. Encourage your child to engage in physical or imaginative play after school hours as a respite from a busy school day. This is a great alternative to video games and internet surfing (which are okay — to certain extent).
Keep the momentum going. There will be moments where your child could feel demotivated. It will help to remind him or her of how far they’ve come to help them see beyond their current frustration. Consider stating something like, “You’ve made a lot of progress with your writing skills this year!” Planning a fun summer — whatever this means for you and family — can also give them something to look forward to.
Identify one or two challenging but reachable goals. Setting goals is an effective way to keep students motivated, even toward the end of the school year. Examples of these goals include moving up a level in reading, maintaining positive behavior for a certain length of time (“I will eat more vegetables for the next two months!”), having the confidence to speak in front of an audience, or memorizing multiplication tables.
As parents, you play a crucial role in helping your child finish the school year on a high note. Like every athlete, your child needs a coach to guide and cheer them on as they make one final push. You can then enjoy the break and spend quality time as a family after it’s all over.
Currey Ingram Academy is a private school in Brentwood that supports and empowers students with learning differences to achieve their fullest potential – academically and socially – within an environment that fosters holistic student development. Get in touch by calling (615) 507-3173.