Summer School Tips for Parents

Summer school is, perhaps, the most dreaded two words in any child's vocabulary, especially when combined. And for some parents, it may be the same, but for different reasons. Your child may be bummed that they have to spend a portion of, if not their entire, summer taking classes. And you may be concerned because you don't want them to get behind. The goal of this article is to give you ideas, places to start, in dealing with the situation in which your child is in summer school.

Please keep in mind that these tips are just general places to start. As with anything that relates to your child, you must tailor these suggestions to your own child, their personalities and their needs.

1. Good health - physical and mental. Make sure that your child is physically and mentally prepared to attend school that summer.

2. Review all the information - many times, summer school will send home a packet of information, including schedules and materials. Review it on your own and with your child.

3. Calendar, calendar, calendar. It pays to be organized and being organized yourself will teach your child how to be organized.

4. Make copies - of your schedule, all phone numbers and email addresses and other contact information for yourself and for your emergency contacts. Give copies to the principal, school nurse and anyone else that needs to be able to get a hold of you if something happens to your child at school.

5. Continue with the bedtime and mealtime routines. What is also particularly helpful is to turn off the television - do the flash cards, homework and any other things that will help your child excel. I find that using rewards is good motivation - half an hour of TV or video games once the work is done may work wonders for your child.

6. Find a place to do homework and stick to it, whether it is a quit room, bedroom or kitchen table.

7. Let your child know you care and don't overreact. Children pick up on our emotions very, very easily and respond to them. Breath, reassure them you love them and move on.

8. Do something fun - throw a party for them if they're doing well during the summer or get grades. It is positive reinforcement and might help your child emotionally in dealing with the fact that they have to attend summer school.

And remember that you will get through it!