April 21, 2022
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Looking ahead to the final bell
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Focus on school and avoid spring fever
he school year might be winding down, but this is one of the most treacherous times of the year when it comes to student attendance and focus. The advent of the nicer weather, plus the stress of intensive winter combine to produce a sort of “spring fever” that hits kids of every age, making them restless and inattentive. This is also the time of year when attendance numbers plummet as well, starting from April and worsening on through June. With spring in full swing, many students and families begin to think about the end of the school year. High school seniors aren’t the only ones who experience “senioritis” or the “end-ofthe-school-year-blues.” Even elementary school students can begin to shut down and dial back their efforts towards the end of the school year. It’s important to help children finish the school year strong. The goal is to raise responsible learners who don’t quit and are able to work hard despite distractions. School administrators are well aware of how the annual epidemic of spring fever impacts kids in the classroom. Toward this end, savvy teachers keep their students motivated with extra incentives, including engaging projects. Many teachers also instigate periodic “brain breaks,” when everyone takes a five-minute break to get up and stretch, or engage in some spontaneous, fun activity. Likewise, many schools schedule incentivizing activities during the last few weeks to keep kids interested and motivated. For parents, this can be a frustrating time of the year. You’re sympathetic about your child’s restlessness; but also concerned about keeping grades up, especially when it’s time for final exams. The good news is, with a bit of extra atten-
tion and creative thinking, you can be proactive in helping your child during these difficult last weeks of school. These tips, which can easily be implemented into your daily routine, can help your child stay motivated and focused until the bell rings for summer vacation. Create a list of mile markers Find out about upcoming school projects or assignments, and transfer them to a mile marker list, charting progress along the way. This will encourage your child to stick to the task without procrastinating, and will also help you keep track of your child’s progress without having to constantly ask questions. When the project is completed, plan a satisfying reward for your child. De-clutter work/study spaces Creating a peaceful, clutter-free work/study space for your child can go a long way toward relieving unnecessary stress. Encourage your child to join in with a bit of early spring cleaning, so that you’ll both be prepared for those last weeks of school.
Gear check After months of hard work and lots of time spent in the classroom, many [elementary level] students are left with less-than-ideal supplies. Pencils no longer have erasers and crayons have been worn down to nubs. It’s hard to do your best work when you don’t have the right tools. Support your children put forth their best effort up through the last day, by taking stock of their school supplies. A freshly sharpened pencil, a glue stick or two, and a new box of crayons can make a world of difference. Lead by example Kids learn by example, and are quick to adopt our attitude. If your child hears you talking about how you wish it was summer, or how you can’t wait for school to be over, he/she is likely to adopt that mindset. Avoid speaking negatively about school, homework, etc. in front of your child. It will be harder for your child to put forth his best effort if he thinks you don’t care, don’t like school, etc. We like to tell our kids that every assignment
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is an opportunity to do their best. Encourage your kids to try their best, continue to set aside time to complete homework, and prioritize school attendance. Your positive attitude about school (even when it’s sunny and almost time for vacation!) can help your children finish strong. Stick to the routine When it’s warm and light outside, it can be more difficult to enforce bedtime, but it’s super important to help your child continue to get a good night’s rest through the end of the school year. Stick to your child’s regular bedtime and continue to make time for homework and athome reading. Encourage your child to develop responsibility and perseverance by maintaining that good learners do what they need to do until the job is done. Sunny days and a looming summer vacation can’t stop motivated and eager learners! Maintaining your school-year schedule will help reinforce these beliefs. Reasonable and reachable goals Goals are a great way to keep students motivated and on-task towards the end of a school year. Help your children select one or two small goals to accomplish before the end of the school year. The goals should be challenging but reachable. For younger students some ideas include things like moving up a level in reading, memorizing their multiplication facts, having a certain number of positive behavior days, etc. Work with your kids to determine steps to take to work towards their goals and encourage practice at home. By creating a low-stress, supportive home environment and encouraging your child to keep studying without slacking off, you can be proactive in combating spring fever during those last two months of school. With your help, your child will have the satisfaction of seeing just how rewarding it is to finish the school year on top. And you’ll both be ready for the summer season. Above photo: It’s way too easy to let things slide as the weather gets nicer and kids are feeling worn down from months of study already completed.