4 Parent Tips for a Great School Year

This guest post from StudyDog was written by blogger, copywriter and editor, Karla D. Smith:

The school year is in full swing.

First day of school nerves have calmed and there’s a new-found confidence in your child’s step as they climb on the bus or walk in their classroom door.

From the morning school bell to after school snacks, what was uncertain, unfamiliar and a little scary is now becoming routine.

But what can you, as a mom, do to help ensure the year ahead is a successful one for your young student, particularly as homework and project loads increase, after school activities pick up, and the “shine” of back-to-school begins to wear off?

Follow these tips to set your child on the path towards a happy and fulfilling school year – now and in the future:

1. Have a conversation: Simply be available to listen to and talk with your child. It’s an exciting time, full of new experiences, and your young one will gain from being able to express emotions, concerns and all the things they love about school. Knowing you’re there as a steady and willing sounding board will give them an important sense of security and support. And conversation helps build language, cognitive and social skills.
2. Support school work: Take an active part in your child’s school experience by monitoring their homework and progress, and celebrating their successes. Be sure to establish a regular homework routine. Provide a quiet place free from distractions and be available to answer questions (let them do the work), confirm assignments are completed, and help teach them to organize what needs to be turned in each following day.
3. Encourage reading: Model a love of reading by establishing a reading time of at least 20 minutes each day with your child. Whether you read to them, they read aloud to you, or they read quietly on their own, regular reading is a habit that will pay rich returns, increasing your child’s vocabulary and language skills, building their reading comprehension, and enhancing concentration and attention span – not to mention a love of literature. {Read Outside the Box Mom’s review of the StudyDog program.}
4. Sleep tight: A rested child is a happy and productive child. Studies show kids ages 5-12 need 10-11 hours of sleep each night. Keep a regular bedtime that allows for an adequate amount of sleep for your child. Reduce “screen time” prior to lights out and keep TVs and other devices out of the bedroom.  Bedtime is the perfect time to relax with a good book and for some quiet end-of-day sharing together.

With these simple basics, you’ll help develop positive habits with your child that will serve you both well throughout the school year.

At StudyDog, we want your child to be set up for success. Our educational software further reinforces learning and engagement on the home front with feedback, customized lessons, and easy-to-follow instruction in critical areas of reading that helps prepare them for a positive classroom experience.

Come check us out. StudyDog is offering a $15 off coupon on a 1 year subscription.

Have other tips to share? We’d love to hear them.

To help make the school year easier, StudyDog is giving away a one year subscription.

How to Win a One Year Subscription to StudyDog

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This promotion is open until September 30, 2014 at 11:59 pm EST and is limited to adults, 18 years or older.  The winner will be chosen randomly. Winner must respond to email within 24 hours or prize may be forfeited.  Promotional content and prize for this promotion is provided by StudyDog. Please also include email address.

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