Finish Strong!

Think of the last leg of a race. You’re exhausted and you can see the end in sight. It is so tempting to slow down as student spring fever sets in and the motivation begins to dwindle. For kids, the fourth quarter feels a lot like this final leg. So how do you keep kids motivated when it seems like they’ve checked out? Educational Connections provides some tips and strategies that parents can employ during the fourth quarter to keep kids motivated and to finish strong.

Instead of rewarding your child for grades or test scores, try offering smaller rewards for tasks that lead to those big results. The reward doesn’t need to be an item like a toy or game, but a privilege the student can attain in the recent future, like going out with their friends on the weekend or an extra 30-minutes of video game time.

One time a week, plan ahead for the upcoming week. Spend this time mapping out upcoming tests and projects. For example, if you see that your daughter’s science fair project is due on Friday, you may have her break the project into small tasks that she can work on nightly to avoid last-minute chaos.

If you find yourself slipping into the nagging role try implementing visual reminders. This can be done by just placing sticky notes or checklists in your student’s study area or by the front door, where they are sure to see them.

The routines that were set up at the beginning of the year may have gone by the wayside. If you notice this happening, find one thing that worked well at the beginning of the school year. Try to focus on getting that one thing back in place.

Every kid is a little different, but most students need about a half-hour break after school before they get started on their homework. This is enough time for kids to grab a snack and relax a bit. Try to encourage some outdoor free play to enjoy the fresh air and movement!

Sometimes the biggest obstacle to end the school year on a positive note is attending school daily and on-time. One way to help improve attendance is to think about a back up plan for getting to school even when challenges arise. Attendance Works provides helpful resources, such as My Family's Help Bank, to identify supports for you and your child.

This newsletter is a joint collaboration of the DOE Central District's School Social Workers and Human Services Professionals. The purpose is to highlight information that you may find useful, and does not serve as a comprehensive list. We do not endorse any specific organization. Mahalo!