The best school success results come from performing the same actions over a long period of time. These are called habits. When habits are focused and channeled in the right direction, unbelievable results are possible. School success needs a gameplan and the hard work of perseverance. We will save the perseverance for another blog.

For now, here are two school success tips that if you put into practice will reap incredible fruit.

School Success Tip #1: Set Daily Tasks

Daily routines are paramount. Don’t neglect them. Do what it takes to make sure they are enforced. A few recommendations;

• Each night go over your child’s agenda and look at the tasks that they have been assigned. You could request the teacher(s) to sign the agenda for verification.
• Check your child’s completed tasks each night by using Google classroom or another teacher website and PowerSchool.
• You should be monitoring both your child’s homework and their grades.
• If you need a PowerSchool account (used by Wake County Schools) you can contact the school’s secretary.
• Help your child review nightly by quizzing them: spelling words, math facts, or notes and handouts from core classes.
• Be in contact with your child’s teacher(s).   If you do not have your child’s teachers’ email address, then it can be found on the school’s website.
• Help your child sort through their notebooks, binders, and book bags. Put all loose papers where they belong and take out old material to keep at home.
• Review material from the day, day before, or week before. Review something every day

School Success Tip #2: Create A Reward System

Your child will have a greater chance at success at school if they are involved in a reward system. Making sure the rewards have daily application and incentives that are meaningful to the child will engage their brain and willpower.

• Each day when your child wakes up, they have a choice to make and a job to do. They can choose to use their agenda, bring home materials, do homework and review or not. They are in control of the reward/consequence.
• Create short term and long term rewards for your child. Although they may not get the reward one day, the next day they have a new opportunity to make a better choice and earn their reward. Short term reward systems are generally more effective.
• The reward that you give your child should be something of value to them. For example, let the reward include phone use, playing video games, playing sports, or other enjoyable activities.
• Let them choose their own reward, with your approval of course.

Does it sound too simple? Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that make all the difference. Set recurring daily tasks and set a reward system, you won’t believe the results. Always be willing to tweak as you figure out the right system that works for your child.