Tips for creating a home environment to help students succeed in school

A Commentary Piece

By Michael Robinson

Image by Thomas G. from Pixabay

08-13-15

  As a former student and a person who earned a teacher’s certificate in Elementary Education, I have learned that a home where education is valued and is set up to help a child do the best they can in school doesn’t happen by accident. With Uvalde CISD classes having just started, the beginning of the school year is a great time to create positive and productive routines that make a child’s home a springboard to his/her success in the classroom. 

  Most parents want their children to learn and bring home good grades, but few know that a few things done at home can make or break a child’s chances. 

  Back in the 1970’s and early to mid 1080’s when I attended public school, many parents and teachers too chalked up a student’s poor grades to one thing: a lazy, unmotivated student.

  Such students were often harshly scolded and punished, making the school year miserable.    

  Fortunately, educators and parents alike have more knowledge about learning disorders such as dyslexia, ADHD, and a host of other factors that can be identified and addressed.

  Positive study routines at home can make a huge difference! Here are a few tips:

1. Keep in contact with your child’s teacher. Have the teacher’s contact information on hand and reach out to the teacher on a regular basis on how your child is doing. 
2. Set a specific place at home, where your child can work on his/her homework each evening. Let your child know that a specific time frame such as  between 4PM and 7 PM is the time home work is to be done. Set firm limits on cell phones, games etc. until all homework is completed. 
3. If your child needs help with math or some other subject, spend more than 1 minute helping the child. Help the child with several math problems, not just the one until the student gets the hang of the problem solving process. If your child seems to consistently struggle, reach out to the child’s teacher and/or find out about tutoring resources. 
4. Provide small treats and rewards for completed work, Allow the student snack breaks, small treats or play time as tasks are accomplished. 

5. Honestly assess the child’s home life. Is it generally peaceful or are parents fighting a lot?

Does a family member suffer mental illness? Is there drug or alcohol use in the home that could affect the home environment?  

Back when I was student teaching, a 5th grader used to come to school sleepy and exhausted. I learned from my mentor teacher/the classroom teacher the student often slept on the apartment front porch because his parents screamed and argued for hours each night.

6. Make pleasure reading time a priority and have the entire family participate. For 40 to 45 minutes a day, make it a routine for all family members to read a book, magazine or something of interest to each particular person. Have reading materials at home and/or make regular visits to the local library.
7. Know your child’s abilities and don’t have unrealistic expectations about his/her abilities to earn top grades. Not all students are straight A students. Academic abilities vary. Don’t make earning Straight A’s  the end all ,be all thing.

      8 . Encourage reading for pleasure and writing for pleasure. When a child or anyone reads and or writes a lot and learns to enjoy doing it, when it comes to the high stakes reading or writing assignments, the student will likely do well. 

9. Show and tell your child you love them and it’s not a conditional based on grades.
10. If possible, as a family, visit museums, historical places and attend educational events outside of school. Children need experiences to build upon and these trips will give your student something to read or write about.