D.C. EDUCATION BRIEFS: National Blue Ribbon Schools

Even though kids' motivation naturally declines following spring break, this is the time of year when they probably have the most work on their hands. Between deadlines, tests, assignments, and final presentations and projects, there is a lot that needs to be completed and turned in. The last quarter of the school year can have a significant impact on their performance and outcome, which is why helping your child conclude the school year strong is crucial. Here are some suggestions you can implement during the final quarter of school to keep your child motivated: Stick to routines. Try your best to continue to reinforce your child’s after-school routines throughout this time of the year to ensure a strong finish. Remain consistent and maintain a sense of normalcy with your child’s afternoon homework schedule and bedtime. Set attainable goals. Work with your child to set one or two attainable goals, such as submitting all homework assignments, following up with a teacher as needed, trying to raise a grade in a specific subject, or even increasing a specific amount of good behavior days. Setting and achieving goals can help your child stay focused and motivated towards the end of the school year. Incorporate incentives. Integrate enjoyable breaks and rewards into your child's everyday routine. Consider giving your child smaller rewards for tasks that yield significant outcomes, such as preparing for an important assignment or taking an exam. The reward can be a privilege, such as enjoying an afternoon with a friend or watching 30 minutes of television after completing homework. Create a countdown calendar. Help your child create a weekly schedule to assign and mark tests, assignments, and end-of-year activities. Children respond better to visual reminders and can remain engaged when holidays and assignment deadlines are combined. This will also help your child visualize what to anticipate throughout the remaining school days. Take advantage of being outdoors. Encourage your child to change scenery or enjoy some outdoor play and movement now that the weather is warmer. Doing homework outdoors, studying in the park, or even taking brain breaks can be very beneficial in increasing productivity and attention. Research shows that any form of outdoor movement or exercise can be beneficial, especially before homework, and can have a positive impact on focus. Click here for additional resources.

By Jessica Chamoun, Intervention Specialist According to research, kids who have close social ties perform better academically, have better mental health, show higher self-esteem, and experience a stronger sense of belonging. Forming friendships is a key component of growing up and plays a significant role in a child's social and emotional development. The support from parents and adults is a crucial component in helping children make and maintain healthy relationships. Here are some ways you can support and empower your child to form and maintain lasting friendships: Model healthy friendships. Children are constantly watching and learning from the adults in their lives. By modeling positive friendships and positive interactions with your friends and the people you encounter, you can set a good example and guide your child to do the same. Promote social interactions. Provide your child with opportunities to socialize and engage in social activities and playdates so that they interact with other children, practice their social skills, and build relationships with others. Teach your child empathy and understanding. Encourage your child to put themselves in another person’s shoes and see things from their perspective. When children practice empathy, they learn to communicate better, listen effectively, and respond in ways that are more supportive, understanding, and compassionate, enabling them to cultivate meaningful friendships. Role play. Take the opportunity to role play various social scenarios with your child. Teach them appropriate social skills so that they build more confidence and are better prepared to navigate different social situations. Read books that reinforce friendship and positive interactions. Look for books that highlight sharing, friendship, empathy, and compassion. You can teach your kids how to be good friends by having conversations with them about the characters, their emotions, and some of the outcomes of the story.