Helping Your Teen Get the Most Out of School

A good education has become more important with every generation, and today's teenagers are facing a much more competitive and complex world. Our economy is global and communication and commerce have become almost instant, so how do parents help their teens understand the importance of a good education in this evolving environment, when teens are thinking about friends, fashion, and music? There is a delicate balance between helping your teen achieve the most they can and pushing them too hard. That balance is difficult for all parents to maintain, but there are some techniques that help.

Start Teaching Good Study Habits Early

Teens are more likely to perform better in school if they already have good study habits and an understanding of the importance of succeeding in school. One important factor that can be taught early is the importance of homework. The more homework a child completes, the more likely that student is to get better grades overall and score better on tests.

Create an environment that is conducive to your teen's study habits:

• If your teen is struggling with homework offer to help them, find them helpful sites online, or find them a tutor.
• Make sure they have all the supplies they need to complete their homework.
• Background noise is fine if your teen says they need it, but turn on a radio rather than the television.
• Encourage them to do harder assignments first so that they can complete the more difficult subject before they become tired or distracted by other subjects.
• Allow them to take breaks. Everyone needs a little breathing time!

Classes that Count

Encourage your teen to take classes that will benefit them as they move on to college. The US Department of Education found that of the 75% of high school students that went to college, only 12% had completed significant college preparation courses. Many high schools offer AP courses or dual enrollment programs that will expose teens to college classes and their requirements. Having this valuable information early can help them succeed in college.

American students, including teens, continue to struggle in the areas of math, science, and foreign languages. These subjects are extremely important in today's global environment. Encourage your teen to take extra math and science classes. Help them choose a foreign language class that will benefit them in the work place by giving them a useful second language. Not all teens like math or science or foreign language, so the key for parents will be finding out how they can motivate their teen by helping them to understand the importance of these subjects.

Addressing Social Issues

Help your teen concentrate more on their success in school by helping them through social conflicts. Teens are trying to find their independence and part of that development involves the relationships they have with their peers and teachers. Help them build positive relationships.

Get to know your teen's teachers. A familiar defense when a teen is not doing well in school is to blame the teacher. They claim the teacher doesn't like them or is unfair. Knowing the teachers well enough to have a candid conversation with them will help you determine the real problem. Offer to speak to the teacher or the principal if your teen is expressing a real problem.

Your teen could also be under pressure from their peer group to be cool and not care about their grades. One way to counter this is to buy him or her books that you know they will enjoy. Once they get interested they are likely to continue reading regularly. Another thing you can do is go out with families who have children the same age. New interactions might help him or her see the limitations of their current circle of friends. The advantage to this strategy is the decision to change has to come from the child, although it was fueled by you.

If your child has problems paying attention, reading, or writing you can discuss these issues with a professional educational psychologist. If a learning problem is diagnosed and corrective steps are taken, you will be able to show your child just how far they can go despite any learning differences. You can also then set reasonable goals for your child. For instance, you might hint that he or she may not really be well suited as a professor. You must, at the same time, enthusiastically and clearly tell them that they would make a great architect, manager, or computer programmer. With a few positive options, he or she will not have difficulty moving forward and doing his or her best.

Even when your child is faced with a learning disability, you can talk with their teachers, help them adapt their learning style, and encourage them to do the best that they can. The disability should not be used as a crutch. Children with learning disabilities can still make the most of their high school experience by excelling in classes that will benefit them the most as they move on through life.

Fast Facts About Adolescents

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for 36 percent of all deaths in this age group. According to the American Automobile Association, teenage drivers account for only 7 percent of the driving population but are involved in 14 percent of fatal crashes.

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