HELP YOUR CHILD SET OR RENEW GOALS IN THE SECOND SEMESTER

The school year is now humming at full speed.  The first semester is over, as is much of the review work you child may have done then.  You have probably had a conference with her teachers and have a better idea of where your child is strong and where she needs to improve.

Discuss goals for the school year with your child.  She should be the one to set the goals, but you can fulfill an important role if you brainstorm with her.

Here are some guidelines:

• Ask your child, “What do you think you could do?” to make an improvement.  Encourage her to write down five or six options.
• Have your child evaluate her ideas.  Are they specific?  Are they reasonable?
• Have your child list three or four steps she can take to meet the goal.
• Post your child’s plan in a prominent place.  Writing down goals and referring to them often helps in meeting them.
• Ask your child to consider giving her teachers a copy of her goals or make an appointment to discuss them.  They can give tips and encouragement.  Her teachers would probably like to know about the effort she is making.