Getting ready for the last eight weeks

Mary Robinson / News Virginian
Published: April 14, 2008

Make sure Junior is getting plenty of sleep. Tired children have trouble concentrating.

Get tomorrow organized tonight. Instill the habit of collecting homework, projects, athletic equipment, backpacks and shoes the night before. Lay our tomorrow's clothes tonight. Departing for school tomorrow will be a breeze.

Ask yourself if the family needs to get up a little earlier in the mornings. An unhurried, relaxed morning is a beautiful way to start the day and provides time to prepare and enjoy that so-very-important nourishing breakfast.

Make sure your little darlins' are getting plenty of sunshine, fresh air and exercise. Rigorous exercise encourages the production of what I call "happy hormones." These chemicals are produced naturally in the body as a result of sustained, rigorous activity. These helpful chemicals improve mood, increase a body's metabolism and improve clarity of mind. One's brain actually thinks better when the body is well exercised. An hour a day keeps the lumps away, too.

Help your child conduct a backpack and binder clean out. This project just might improve Junior's ability to stay organized and you may discover some important things about school and school work in the process.

Don't panic or respond emotionally if you discover trouble in the backpack. Bad grades on tests and papers have already punished your child. Find out what's not going right. Are tests insurmountable challenges to your child- Perhaps she experiences anxiety attacks before tests. Perhaps she needs coaching in mini relaxation techniques. Maybe she needs to learn better study strategies. Maybe your son has fallen behind and doesn't know how to catch up.

A kind conversation with your child will reveal a great deal. Talk to his teacher. Ask "How can I help my child do better-"

This is the perfect time in the school year to make plans for a more successful next year. Summer is when a child's academic weaknesses can be shored up. Reading skills can be advanced, writing and word knowledge can be improved, children can learn a great deal of critical math facts and concepts before or after the family's summer vacation.

Good luck!

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