Summer break is so close that your child can taste it (and so can the teachers I'm sure!). It's so easy to just write off the last few weeks of school as not as important, but it is also a transitional time. Your child will start a new grade in just a few months, and during the summer they tend to forget some of that school stuff. By making sure your child is prepared for the jump, you will ease that transition in the fall. So here are some tips on how to help your child finish the school year strong:
Check in with the teacher
It’s a good idea to check in with the teacher at this point to see if there are any unfinished assignments, or missed tests that will be important to that last report card. Your child doesn't always have a good idea of what they might be behind on or what they might have missed. Finding out now will give your child some time to catch up on top of any current work, and get it handed in before report card deadlines.Nicer weather and longer days means a great temptation to head outside and play instead of staying in and doing school work. So try to set up a routine where your child has some playtime, but still has time to focus on school work. It’s really easy to let those routines slide when the fun outside is calling, but it’s important to stay on top of schoolwork these last few weeks so they don't start the new year behind.
Routine is important, but it’s also important to not make homework sessions too long. Older kids can handle about 45 minutes of work before taking a break, but for younger kids it should be shorter. Take frequent breaks to help them stay fresh and not lose their focus. Tackle one subject at a time and try to keep distractions at a minimum.
Kids can get frustrated with their shortcomings when it comes to school work, so it’s important to remind them of their strengths, and show them how they can use them to overcome obstacles. Help them study for tests so they feel more prepared, or let them rehearse an oral presentation in front of you or their siblings to take away the jitters.