Since school takes up most of kids’ lives, they’re more aware of the start and end of the school year than the calendar year. So, even though we’re starting a new year, for kids, it’s more important that they’ve reached the halfway point of the current school year.
On the bright side, the beginning of the new year and the second half of the school year could be a great time for parents to help kids think about how they did in the first half. This will give them a chance to take a break, get back on track, and get ready for the third and fourth quarters of the school year.
Here’s how you can help your student get a good start in 2025 and the final half of the academic year:
- Take a look at the first half — Both parents and kids should take a moment to think about the first half of the year. Make a list of all the good stuff and all the not-so-great stuff. Now, let’s figure out what worked and what didn’t. We can use that info to make plans for the future. And if something didn’t go so well, we can find ways to avoid it next time.
- Engage in a thoughtful discussion about school — Take some time to understand what your student likes and doesn’t like about school. Think about how they’re doing in different areas, like academics, socializing, and behavior. If they’re struggling with a particular subject or seem to be having a hard time fitting in with their classmates, it might be helpful to talk to them about it. And if their behavior has suddenly changed, especially if they’re becoming less interested or acting out, it might be worth having a chat with them to find out what’s going on.
- Set new goals — Did you and your student set some goals at the start of the school year? Did they make it? If your student aimed for an ‘A’ in math but ended up with a ‘D,’ don’t be too hard on them! Instead, let’s set a new goal for the third quarter — aim for a ‘C’ and then aim for a ‘B’ in the fourth. Think of it as a fresh start!
- Review organizational and study skills — Sometimes, kids can get overwhelmed by the mess of their school supplies. This can waste time and make them feel confused. To help them out, try and help them organize their stuff and then make a list of things they need to do. You can also teach them some good study habits so they can always finish their homework and be ready for tests.
Going hand-in-hand with starting the second half of the school year is learning to make resolutions for the new calendar year. Did you help your child make resolutions last year? How many did they keep? Making resolutions for the new year is a self-improvement strategy that can be employed throughout one’s life, and it’s never too early to start.
There are numerous suggestions for teaching children how to set and achieve resolutions. One of the most practical and memorable methods is the SMART goals approach, an acronym that outlines the essential steps for successful goal-setting.
When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Be Specific: Kids often make broad resolutions, like “I’ll spend more time on homework.” But it’s better to be specific, like “I’ll dedicate two hours each night to homework.”
- Make it Measurable: If your child has a homework goal of two hours, it’s a breeze to see if they’ve hit it. If it’s 9 p.m., and they’ve been glued to the TV since 6 p.m., it’s pretty obvious they missed their homework target.
- Ensure Achievability: Setting goals that are too hard to reach can actually be counterproductive. For example, if your child wants to graduate 8th grade by the time they’re 10, but they’re only a solid “C” student, that might not be realistic. Also, if your child has trouble sitting still, a two-hour study session might be too long. Maybe you could break it down into eight 15-minute increments instead. Remember, if you want to make a resolution or set a goal, it’s important to make sure it’s achievable.
- Make them Relevant and Realistic: When setting resolutions for your child, it’s important to make sure they align with their interests and are realistic. While it’s awesome that a 5th grader might dream of being the first human on Mars, a more achievable and relevant goal could be to get a “B” in English. Remember, goals should be relevant to your child’s current situation and should be attainable.
- Set a Timeframe: Resolutions and goals need a clear end date. This makes them measurable. For instance, raising a math grade from a “C” to a “B” is a great goal if it can be done in the next quarter. Without a specific timeframe, the goal becomes just a dream.
Parents and teachers should team up to make sure students get a solid start for the second half of the school year. It’s totally possible to turn around bad grades in the last two quarters. Working together, parents, teachers, and students can come up with a realistic plan for a great third and fourth quarter of school.
