These next few months are always difficult for students. Cold weather and snow keep kids indoors. Kids feel somewhat cramped - almost jailed. Frustrations begin to mount and constant, close proximity make dealing with these frustrations even more difficult.
School continues. Expectations are still expected to be met. The bar continues to rise although academics become the last thing on many students' minds during the winter.
This is where you come in. It is really important to check in with your child. Ask him/her about their day. Look through their folder and have them explain their work to you and what they are studying. Review their homework with them and point out careless mistakes. During conferences, many parents were pleased to say how independent their child has become. This doesn't mean that they are mature enough to handle each school day/assignment on their own. As a parent myself, it's easy to overlook their school work when there are so many other household things to attend to. However, we must continue to make school a priority and model that for our children.
Now that you know these winter months are difficult for many kids in school, make sure to talk to them about what may be bothering them and review their work with them. Make sure they keep up with their reading and are practicing their math facts. If they know that school is a priority with everyone in the family, the more they will focus and concentrate on making every day a great one.
