Ways Busy Parents Can Help Children Succeed in School

1.  Use time in the car with your child, or other pockets of time, to squeeze in a little more learning.  Of course, your child can't read library books in the tub- but he can count his toes.  He can't write an essay in the car- but he can talk about what he's going to write or, perhaps, review spelling words.

2.  Set priorities.  Decide what's most important to you.  (Odds are, it's your kids.)  Then consciously decide how to spend your time.  Make sure your decisions reflect what matters.  Have a choice between cooking a fancy dinner or reading with your child?  Order a pizza and read the book.

3.  Spend one-on-one time.  Kids need both "quality" and "quantity" time with you.  There's nothing like spending time alone with a parent to make a child feel special.  Every week, make an appointment to spend some time alone with each of your children.  Get out your calendar and write it in.  Then treat that appointment as seriously as you would an important business meeting.

4.  Find your child's "prime time" for studying.  This may be a key to his success in school.  One mother found that after her daughter, a real early bird, set her study time for 5:00 a.m., her grades went up.  Another family of night owls found that late evening study hours were best.  Work with your child to find the homework time that's best for him.  You might find that his "prime time" works to your advantage too.

Homework Time:

     Nathan likes to start homework right after school.  Elise prefers to relax first.  Luis listens to soft music when he studies, while Bella needs silence.

     Which homework routine is best?  They're all fine!  With help from their parents, these students have discovered what works for them.  Use these strategies to help your child find a winning homework routine.

When and Where?

     Try planning a regular time each day when family members do quiet activities.  You'll help your youngster focus by limiting distractions.  For example, she can do homework in the kitchen after school while you pay bills or cook.  Or everyone can read in the living room at night while she works in her room.

Take a Break

     Schedule short periods of work to fit your child's attention span.  If she has an hour of homework, she can do 30 minutes and then take a break (run around outside, have a healthy snack) before finishing up.  Tip:  Have her keep track of time - and stay on task - by setting an alarm clock to signal her break.

First Things First

     Before she starts, help your youngster put her assignments in order.  Have you noticed she gets more done when she does written work first?  If so, she can complete her math worksheet, then practice spelling words and, finally, study science.  Idea:  Suggest that she rank homework from hardest to easiest and tackle the more complicated work first.