Parents Sow The Seeds For School Success

By Sifu Cathal Walsh

Back to school is without a doubt one of the most exciting times of the year for children (and parents) everywhere. It is a time for new friends, new teachers, and new challenges! Every parent certainly wants their child to enjoy a happy, rewarding and safe year ahead. The problems and disappointments of yesteryear can be put to rest and everyone can start with a clean slate... right? Well it depends. The seeds of a successful or difficult school year are usually sown during the first few weeks of September. This is the time when teachers “get to know” their students. The early weeks of school are also a time when students establish their patterns of behaviour that will likely be with them throughout the entire year. So, what can be done to ensure a successful start this year? Here are some tips that should help springboard your child to a successful year ahead… 

1. Get To Know Your Child’s Teacher. Good communication between you and your child’s teacher may very well be the most important ingredient to ensuring that your child has a successful year in school. Don’t wait for “meet the teacher night” to establish rapport with your child’s teacher. Remember, no one knows your child as well as you do and your insights will be greatly appreciated by your child’s teacher and will go a long way to aid in a successful school year. If your child’s teacher actively uses home-to school planners for communication, be sure to use it regularly! 

2. Set Goals! We all know about the power of goal setting. This is a great time of year for parents to teach their children how to set goals and reap the benefits of goals achieved. I recommend setting goals in only 2 or 3 key areas. Perhaps areas that have been a challenge in the past (getting to school on time, completing homework daily). Make the goals specific and measurable. It helps sometimes to have a reward in place for the successful attainment of goals every month or even every week. Goals achieved deserve to be rewarded. 

3. Be Prepared & Organized. School is all about preparing children for life. As adults we wouldn’t show up to work without the tools and equipment needed to do our job well. The same is true for children. School supplies are in abundance in the first couple of weeks of school but guess what? Children need their supplies organized and readily available all year long. Set up a plan to have essential supplies at home and at school. Also, check with your child’s teacher (see tip #1) to determine what their expectations are for classroom readiness. 

4. Get Involved. There are many different ways to be involved with your child’s education. Ask any teacher and they will tell you that those children whose parents show interest in what their child is doing at school perform better. If time constraints prohibit you from being a regular classroom helper, look for other ways to get involved. Parent Advisory Councils, after school coaching, or even set aside 15 to 20 minutes each night to review with your child what he or she did that day. What we focus on expands. Children have a keen sense of what we value as parents and respond accordingly. 

5. Avoid The Hurried Child. Success in school (and life) requires balance. After school activities are plentiful and many provide enormous benefit to children. As parents, we have a responsibility to ensure that our children live a balanced life and not an over scheduled one. Ensure time for play, homework, and structured activities that support your family’s lifestyle and your child’s interests and talents. 

There are many other factors of course, that contribute to success in school. Hopefully the tips mentioned here help your child get off on the right foot. Have a great school year!

Sifu Cathal Walsh is a former school teacher and principal. He is also a former Education Standards Coordinator for the BC Ministry of Education. He conducts workshops for parents and educators on topics of school safety and bullying prevention. He is the founder of SHAKU Family Martial Arts, with locations in Ladysmith, BC and Kingston, ON. Got A Question? You can contact Sifu Cathal at 1-888-742-5810 or by email at SifuCathal@SHAKU.ca. 

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