Tips for Helping Your Struggling Learner Transition Back To School After the Holidays
Coming back from Christmas break can be stressful for kids, and even more stressful for students who feel they are behind. They have been on a relaxing break having fun and schedule free, so moving back into a routine can be met with resistance. Try the following tips to help your child soar in this New Year.
Make a big deal about a new planner:
Focus on the fact that it is a new year and they can set new goals. I know I love the excitement of a new planner, the pages are clean and crisp and I can reinvent myself. Take your child shopping to pick out a planner, talk with them about how you like to get organized, show them how to do it. Help them pencil in fun things they want to accomplish, then sandwich in the school tasks they make dread. Add in possible reward they have to look forward to, maybe a movie night, or a special dinner from their favorite place.
Help them set goals:
Yes that’s right teach them to dream big! If their goal is to start reading chapter books, or to memorize their multiplication facts help them create a reasonable timeline so they can accomplish this goal. Have fun with it let them use their art skills and create a fun timeline to their academic goal. This make learning fun and teaches them the value of hard work.
Create a new study center at home:
Allow your student to create a cool and inviting place to do homework or engage in learning. Let them build a cool nook in their room with pillows and a fun light where they want to read. If you have a special corner in the basement where they can make a clubhouse for school this can increase their buy-in when it comes to homework or reading time. Something as easy as new homework pjs can excite the most resistant learner to sit down and tack the most unwanted tasks.
Be real!
Show them things you need to work on and goals and dreams you have yourself. I often told my kids about things that were hard for me when I was young, and how I handled them. I still do that I show them that I am human and I fail daily but I just keep trying to do my best. Hard work over time is what creates success. I talk about this with students I tutor as well, and show them examples of people that they can relate to that have had hardships to overcome, so they can see its possible. When learners struggle they want to see that It will get easier so they don’t feel like giving up. Inspire them, and show them that overtime the load will get lighter as they put in the effort.