It’s hard to believe that October has already arrived. September both flew by in a second and seems to have started eons ago. Though many questions about the new school year may remain, what’s clear is that now is the time to make moves within the current system. Initial tests, back to school nights, and teacher conferences are just around the corner, so it’s time to assess what is working—or not—for our kids as they navigate the fall semester and help them make the necessary changes.
If you don’t feel like you know how your child’s learning is progressing this year, take advantage of opportunities to communicate with their teacher—at conferences, via email, or using apps provided by your school. Consider asking some or all of these important questions if you aren’t able to answer them yourself:
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- Have I seen any concerning content gaps in my child’s understanding?
- What are some of the more challenging ideas or skills that my child needs to hone in order to be successful in your class?
- Does my child perform at a similar level in school as when working at home? If not, what differences do you notice?
- Does my child’s performance on any single assignment stand out (either for good or bad reasons)?
Once you’re armed with information, it’s time to get to work. Even students who aren’t missing assignments or whose grades are on track have room for growth. Have your child make a plan for that growth and ask how you can help. It’s important to remember the ways that structure at home contributes to student success. Consider ways to help your child develop strategies to overcome academic setbacks or build structure into their schedule.
If you’re not sure where to start, or if your child feels overwhelmed, we’re here to help. Our academic tutors are ready to help address content gaps or tackle challenging concepts that are on the horizons and our executive functioning coaches can offer systems to motivate and improve performance across the board. Contact us to learn more.
