Be prepared and get involved. As children head back to the classroom, it is a good idea for parents to make it a point to have a strong presence in their child’s education. Kelly Walker, a Broward College professor of exception student education, suggests marking calendars with important school meeting dates, and planning to attend all meet and greets, and open houses that are scheduled at the beginning on the school year. It is important to form a strong parent-teacher relationship early on, and this can be as easy as establishing open communication by sending an email. This will help with the communication of any behavioral issues or learning problems. Early intervention is crucial, and if those lines of communication are kept open, it will be easier to address any sort of concerns that arise.
Recognize a child’s learning needs. As soon as you notice a negative change in a child’s behavior toward school, such as a struggle to complete homework, it may be time to consider a tutor. When looking for a tutor, though, be sure to consider the unique needs of the child. Online tutoring may work for an independent learner, while tutoring centers may help students that need more one-on-one instruction.
Discuss a routine before school starts. Establishing a routine for busy mornings and after school, and creating a structure will help students and provide a foundation for success. This includes setting a time for when they should start their homework and when they can play or relax.
Don’t forget about breakfast. Although mornings can be hectic, Melinda Luis, professor of health education at Broward College, recommends giving your student a head start by providing a solid and nutritious breakfast every day. According to Luis, children who eat breakfast have a better ability to concentrate and improved academic performance. Low-sugar cereals with milk and a fruit serving or other easy to prepare foods, like a mini-bagel with cream cheese or peanut butter paired with a fruit, such as a banana, are easy to eat on the run.
For more information, contact Angela Nicoletti at 954-201-7939 or [email protected].
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About Broward College:
Serving more than 68,000 students annually, Broward College provides residents with certificate programs, two-year university-transfer degrees, two-year career degrees and baccalaureate degrees in selected programs. The mission of the college is to provide high-quality educational programs and services that are affordable and accessible to a diverse community of learners. For more information, visit www.broward.edu.