It is not uncommon for your child to hate at least one of their lessons or one of their teachers. Children generally hate the lesson because they feel they are not very good at it and they don’t like the teacher because they feel they are being picked on (they may well be told off often for not paying attention or misbehaving) I see lots of children who express that their teacher has it in for them.

Why? Because they are misbehaving.

Why? Because they have no interest in the lesson

So what do they do? They talk, they are silly etc

They end up on report or in detention regularly and they and their parents want it to stop.

One way I get them to re-focus and be interested is by asking them what do they want to do with their life? What is their end goal? If that’s their goal what do they have to do to reach it? Yes they need qualifications and that means they need to listen and pay attention in class.

It works every time. How do you as a parent get your child to concentrate and be interested in the classroom?

My 7 year old once came home from school with sheets of paper with gems on them. Not real ones but large drawing of gems that you could cut out and colour in.  There was a note attached saying, ‘Please cut out the gems and write on the back of each one something your child has done for another person that is helpful, considerate etc.’

The task was two weeks long and I had to remember the things he had done to help me or another person. No matter how small the ‘good deed’ was I had to see or hear it, register it, remember it and put it on a gem when we got home (the good deeds mainly happened outside of the house, don’t ask me why).

The project tested my memory but also made me more aware of what he was doing when he was with me. The first couple of days he was really trying to get gems – picking something off the floor that someone had dropped, putting money in a charity tin, etc.  Then he forgot about the project so he got less gems. He got some though – he laid the table for me and tidied his toys away when I asked him to.

I think the project was good for me, as well as him, as I got to really tune in to how responsive he is to me and how thoughtful he is. I think this idea can make children really think about what they are doing for others. We often use stickers and rewards charts for children to behave in the way we want them to but I don’t think we place much emphasis on children doing something for another person, with or without prompt.

I think the gems are a lovely motivational idea. What do you think?

It was never my intention to work with children with ADHD, so when a parent asked me to help their child with his social skills I thought, why not? How different could it be to work with a child who was a bit more energised than the average child? Read more here>>

 Some parents find it hard to persuade their children to do their homework. It may be that their child is not interested in the subject they are learning, they may find it too challenging or it may be that they would rather do something else.

Whatever the reason, I have realised one thing. If we, as parents, show that we are interested in an activity then our children are more likely to show interest and want to join in. For example, if you love geography why not talk to your child about the world, bring out an Atlas or a globe and do a quiz. Ask them where do you find x country? what language do the inhabitants speak? what’s the local currency?  capital city? size of the country or population?  There are numerous questions you could ask to turn the subject into a fun and educational experience.

You could also look at articles on the internet together or look at books or magazines around a subject. My husband received his latest copy of National Geographic and in there was a poster of a storm cloud that he thought our eldest would like. He showed him the picture, he loved it and now it’s on his wall. He is nurturing him to take an interest.

Passing on your passion can really help your children learn especially if you do it in a fun and interesting way that they are responsive to. What school work are you able to help your child with and does your passion shine through?  Can you relate any experiences with your children that you would want to share with others here?

 Mornings can be rushed and you know me I don’t like rushing and I don’t like unnecessary stress so how can you get your child to ‘move it , move it’ in a way your child is responsive to?

Children love counting down time and races. Why not give them a ten minute warning before you are going to leave the house and put the stopwatch on for ten minutes at the same time. Your children can then keep an eye on the amount of time they have left whilst putting on their socks, shoes, coat etc.

What ways do you motivate your child to be ready and waiting?

Your child may want to do well at school but they may not know how to do the best they possibly can. As parents we can help them by giving the support and guidance they need. A listening ear is the first thing they will require….. but there are other ways you could help them.

• Nurture their passion to succeed
• Give them self-confidence and encourage them in all that they do
• Make them aware of possible obstacles
• Tell them that hard work and perseverance are needed
• Get them to enjoy working hard and applying themselves

What tips do you have to help your child do well at school?

 Starting a new year can be an anxious time for children. There is a new teacher to meet, new work, old friends they don’t want to see and possibly new friends to make. The summer was great fun but now the thought of returning to school can fill some children with dread. Our children may not say how they are feeling but they can display them in their actions.

Actions speak louder than words!

Children who are worried about going back to school:

- Are more likely to tantrum
- Are more clingy
- May have trouble sleeping
- May have headaches or stomach aches
- They may be more withdrawn
- May hide their feelings
- May also get angry or short tempered
- Can be moody
- Bite their nails

We can make the school return easier by talking to our children and let them know it’s normal to feel this way. We can also help them by making sure they’re getting enough sleep and exercise, before the term starts, as both help keep stress levels down. Finally we need to make sure that if we have feelings of anxiety of them going back to school that they don’t pick up on them.

How have you helped your child prepare for their new school year?