Back-to-School Tips

• Set the tone for expectations. “Let your child know what kinds of grades, and behavior, is expected of him or her,” Bavaria says.
  
  
• Support the expectations you set forth. Go beyond telling your child that he must meet his deadlines at school: help him to set up a system that can make it easier for him to do so. For example, if your child receives a long-term assignment, suggest breaking down the project into smaller chunks, and scheduling due dates along the way. Use a calendar, chart system, or whatever it takes to keep your child on track.
  
  
• Establish good homework habits early in the year. Set a regular time for homework, whether it’s after school or after dinner, once your child has had some time to unwind from the school day. Make the environment conducive for homework: allot sufficient space, get rid of extraneous distractions like TV and radio, and make yourself available to answer questions—but don’t do the work for your child.
  
  
• Stay in contact with schoolteachers and administrators. Attend the first parent-teacher association meeting. If you can’t go, meet them by phone or email. Let the teachers know you’re interested and want to do what you can to help make the year successful for your child. Share with the teacher any specific challenges or skills your child has.
  
  
• Talk about school every day. When you ask your child about school, use open-ended questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” answer. Ask about all aspects of school, from academic subjects to whom your child sat with during lunch.
  
  
• Always let your child know how important education is to you.