Back to School

“School day, school days…”

It's that time of year again. Is your child having trouble returning to school? Some can't wait to be back with their friends. Others just love learning. Make it a special time with some new clothes and notebooks and backpacks. If it's a new school, see if you can visit the building early so your child can get find his classroom, the gym, the cafeteria, and the bathrooms.

These years are crucial in your child’s learning. The lessons taught in first through third grade are foundational. If they miss something, it will affect further schooling. If they can’t read with confidence by age ten, they will soon be left behind in many of their textbooks. If they cannot multiply with ease by age twelve, they will not understand fractions and decimals, or be able to tackle algebra and geometry in high school.

Give your child a regular time to do homework, whether it immediately after school or after supper. Even if they have no homework, have them review their spelling words, math drills, or just read a book. It should be part of their routine to study awhile each evening.



If they are having trouble in a certain area, don’t let it slide by. Talk to their teacher, and ask how you can help at home. Show them how that concept is used in your life. Many times they think it is boring or useless and don’t even try to learn it. Perhaps they can double a cookie recipe, using multiplication, or they could make a sign for a yard sale and also add up the profits. Have them write a letter to Grandma. There are many ways to incorporate school lessons into their life.

Each child is different and has various skills or interests. Listen to them; encourage their strengths. Forcing a child to take piano lessons or play baseball will only harden their will. Learning an instrument or playing on a team develop excellent skills, but not if they are forced.

One year of some type of music lessons is great. Let them choose whether it is singing, piano, or trumpet. Let them the best schedule times and ways to keep themselves accountable to it.


You could ask them to be on some kind of team each year, whether it is basketball, chess, or drama. It should be something that requires group practice under the authority of a coach or director.

Make school fun. Praise them for accomplishments, go to their programs and games, encourage them when it's difficult, gently push them to reach higher.

I realize that these suggestions don't all apply to homeschoolers. I'll talk about homeschooling next time.