How Parents Can Help Their Middle or High School Child

In middle and high school young people are developing emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Parents can help their children be successful students by encouraging them in the following ways:

• Create a quiet space for homework to be completed. A place free from disruption and fully stocked with supplies (pencils, pens, paper, stapler, tape, calculator, etc.) is ideal.

• Communicate with students about their homework, and what large projects and tests are upcoming.

• Keep a family routine concerning dinner, homework, and TV.

• Remember that intrinsic motivation leads to greater creativity. Allow students to try a variety of activities in order to find their true interests.

• Encourage students to keep trying when faced with a challenge. Remind students that parents and teachers are available to provide extra help.

• Encourage children to read if they want to improve their scores on standardized tests. The best way to improve reading comprehension and vocabulary is to read a lot.

• Help children set realistic goals and work toward them systematically. Also, no matter what the goal (making a sports team, improving academic grades, or learning a new skill) remind children that the journey is as important as attaining the goal.

• Allow adolescents some freedom yet, stay involved in their lives. We all learn through experience and sometimes failure is the best teacher.

• Praise adolescents for their contributions to family, school, and community. This conveys a belief in their accomplishments and helps to build a positive self-image.