Ready to Learn

Give your child the necessary tools to manage time wisely

“I don’t want to do my homework. I want to watch TV instead.” “Mom, I have a big project due for history. Tomorrow.”

Does your child ever say any of these things? Helping your child learn how to manage her time is one of the best ways to help her do better in school.

Here are some tips on helping your child make time for learning:

• Follow routines. Routines make life easier for parents. Kids who know dinner is always at 6:30 will be ready to come to the table. Kids who know that homework time is always before they can watch TV may grumble, but they’ll follow the rules. Create regular times for homework, reading and watching TV.
• Make transitions easier. Some kids have trouble moving from one thing to another. Give plenty of advance warning. “Remember, homework time starts in five minutes, so finish your snack.”
• Help your child plan ahead. Take a few minutes at the end of the day to prepare for school in the morning. Have your child write a checklist of things that have to go to school.
• Allow enough time. Big projects take time to finish. Help your child break big jobs down into smaller tasks.

Reprinted with permission from the November 2006 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2006 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: Marilyn E. Gootman, The Loving Parent’s Guide to Discipline, ISBN: 0-425-17450-6 (Berkley Books, 1-800-788-6262, www.penguinputnam.com).