3 Easy Ways to Start the School Year On the Right Foot

/in /by

School is starting and you want to help your child start the school year on the right foot.

A Written Plan

As you prep your child for this new school year, I recommend developing a written game plan.  Hold a sit down meeting and discuss the positive aspects of the last school year as well as the top challenges. Discuss and write out a short plan of steps or strategies for how your child can avoid repeating those challenges this year. If your child is going to earn a reward for his or her performance, set a short-term month reward and a longer term end of grading period reward. You want your child to experience success in earning the first reward to maintain motivation for persisting towards the longer term reward. If the first reward is missed, revised the game plan and a new short term reward.

They Have What it Takes

Second, your child needs to hear from you that you believe they have what it takes for this to be a great school year. Emphasize that you don’t expect perfection, but you do expect effort.  Validate that it is not always going to be easy but that’s ok because working hard is something you and your family are accustomed to doing. Let your child know you will support with not only encouragement but will help find tutors and other professionals as needed.

You Keep Learning

Last, continue to develop your parenting skills as parenting is a journey through many seasons.  As one option, I’ll be hosting a fall parent expo. There are state and national conferences for most disabilities where you can attend virtually to learn.  A few are below. I also included a link to a partial list of counselors in case you, or your child, need that support.

Counselors: http://www.Jimforgan.com/counseling
ADHD: https://www.additudemag.com
ADHD: https://www.theadhdconference.org/adhd2026/home
Dyslexia: https://www.dyslexiacon.org
Dyslexia: https://www.ortonacademy.org/for-parents/

Frame the school year so your child has hope and knowledge that when tough times come, you will work through it together. Parent, you’ve got this!