Floridian: Give your kids a boost in final weeks of school

Give your kids a boost in final weeks of school

By CAROLYN SANDLIN-SNIFFEN

The beginning of a school year has everyone's full attention, and the ending of a school year holds the promise that it will be over soon. But it's those six weeks before summer vacation when kids lose their enthusiasm. School days seem monotonous with uninspiring lessons, routine assignments and predictable lunches. What's a parent to do?

Don't give up. It's possible to pep up tired kids and give them that extra burst of energy needed to finish out the year. Here are some smart strategies for winning the game of academics.

Keep informed about what's happening. Many schools have established phone links for parents to tap into their children's activities. Rather than rely on kids as the sole conduit of school news, parents can call twenty-four hours a day and hear information on projects, field trips, tests and report cards.

Limit after-school activities. Warm weather and more daylight may be too tempting for some kids. Skateboarding for an additional two hours each evening leaves little time for studying. If a regular homework time was established at the beginning of the year, it will be easier to enforce now. Also, set a deadline, say 9 p.m., when all schoolwork must be put away regardless of whether it's finished or not.

It's fine to check the work of younger children, but with middle school kids you want them to take responsibility for accuracy and neatness. If grades or a call from the teacher indicate a problem, then you can intervene. However, your main goal is to let your child "own" the homework.

Offer to help with big projects and reports. Teachers still assign book reports, research papers and science projects in May, and though the child should do the lion's share of the work, parents can help proofread and make projects look polished.

Replenish school supplies. There's something energizing about opening a pack of clean notebook paper, unused pencils, fresh markers and colorful poster boards. When kids have an ample supply of materials, they're ready for any assignment.

Know your children's friends. As days lengthen, kids have more time to "hang out." If you don't like one of your child's friends, first ask yourself why. Does the friend act up in your home? Does the friend bring out the worst in your child? Second, ask -- and be willing to listen -- why your child wants to spend time with this person. Sometimes kids see qualities in others that adults can't spot. It's possible that your child is also uneasy with the relationship but doesn't know how to get out of it.

Next, express your concerns in a calm manner. Be specific about the behaviors that bother you, such as using vulgar language, being disrespectful, misbehaving at school or shirking academic responsibilities. If necessary, don't hesitate to use your parental "veto power."

When spring fever becomes acute, many kids don't want to go to school. A change in routine often helps -- for instance, bringing lunch from home instead of buying one at school, or walking to school with a different group of friends.

If changing children's daily routines doesn't help, be prepared to do some detective work. Sometimes kids have trouble with their friends or they've fallen behind in their studies. Help them identify what the problem is and assist them in solving it. When a child adamantly refuses to go to school or repeatedly cuts classes, seek help from the guidance counselor or an outside psychologist. This is a signal that your youngster is out of control or something is terribly wrong at school or at home.

One common motivational tool that parents use is to offer a child a bribe for being persistent. The trouble is that bribes never work in the long run because the child becomes dependent on rewards and doesn't learn self-initiation. What you're really doing is acknowledging that academic tasks are not worthwhile. Completing the work becomes merely a ticket to something else. A better way is to help your child become a problem-solver. Ask what needs to be done to finish the project (or write the report or pass the class) and work on a plan together for accomplishing the task.

Once the work is completed, express your appreciation and praise for good work. This kind of reward comes with no strings attached and doesn't undermine a child's self-motivation.

Resourceful parents know how to cheer and coach from the sidelines without getting swept up in the action on the playing field. Their positive reinforcement for a job well done goes a long way toward motivating kids into repeat performances.

Carolyn Sandlin-Sniffen teaches language arts and reading at Seminole Middle School in Pinellas County.