by Shaun Luehring

Created on: October 03, 2008   Last Updated: October 04, 2008

Have you ever wondered what your child will become in the future? Ever thought that your child has a lot of potential, but it just isn't showing? The good news is that you can link your child to his or her potential success by building just a few solid links.

LINK ONE - Define success with your child. Each child is unique, special in his or her own way. Talk about success with your child and come up with the definition together. Consider academic areas but also consider social, emotional, physical and spiritual success. This success should include high but realistic goals for your child (see number three).

LINK TWO - Communicate with and support your child's teacher. Research tells us that there is one factor, well above any other, that has the greatest impact on student learning. Plain and simple it is the teacher who will have the most effect throughout the year on your child's learning. So getting to know your child's teacher is important. Teaching is not always an easy job. There can be a lot of pulling mandates or requirements from administrators, parents, or even the community.

Therefore let the teacher know early that you are there to help when needed and you want to be very active in your child's education. Any advice they have will be appreciated. You are trying to build lines of communication and support, not just "winning the favor" of your child's teacher. You want the teacher to know that you realize how important he or she is in your partnership in education.

LINK THREE - Set goals. What do you want your child to accomplish this year? What does he or she want to accomplish this year and beyond? Maybe it is a certain grade in Math, or maybe it is getting all your homework in on time. Depending on your child there could be many different types of goals. The key is to set no more than three. Write them down, post them on the wall and spend time talking about them and how close they are to completion. One of my former students jumped two full grade levels in reading in the course of one school year simply from setting a goal and working towards it.

LINK FOUR - Develop a routine. Families are extremely busy. (I probably don't have to tell you that.) However, a nightly routine is essential to success in school. The order will depend on your child, but ideally include a family supper, time for homework, possibly some reading time, and have a special place for each. Set the schedule and go with it.

LINK FIVE - Encourage your child. Children need genuine feedback from their parents. Let them know when they are doing well and give them a boost when they need to focus. Don't just say "good job," but tell them what you appreciated about their grades, work ethic, or attitude.

LINK SIX - Keep your child physically healthy. Feed them breakfast (not just cinnamon rolls) and make sure they get plenty of sleep. Their brain needs rest and nourishment.

LINK SEVEN - Stick to stress-reducing activities. Children get stressed too! Don't make everything revolve around school. Carefully choose hobbies and down-time activities and stick to the schedule with the same enthusiasm of your nightly routine.

Building a successful school year for your child isn't as difficult as it seems. Building these seven simple links will build the foundation of all kinds of success this year and into the future.

As an administrator of a private school I've seen many children succeed and some who don't. The unifying factors for those who do succeed are a healthy combination of the links mentioned above. Try it and stick to it, and your child will truly succeed.

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