6 Fun Ways to Help Your Kids Excel in School

Happy Sunday! I hope your weekend has been superb. Beth, who is a Life According to Steph reader that teaches second grade and moms for a living, sent me this article she whipped up to share as everyone with kids turns their attention towards back to school at some point in August, later or now depending on where you live in the country. Thank you Beth! 

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Helping your child to excel in school can be attributed to a variety of practices. It can mean making sure they get a good night’s sleep so they are ready to take on the day. It can also mean making sure they eat a nutritious, filling breakfast so that they can concentrate when they arrive at school.
Outside of the physical care of a child though, it’s also a good idea to incorporate learning methods your child will find fun. Below, you’ll find six fun suggestions that could potentially help your kids to excel in school. Take a look:

1. Read To and With Them
Helping your child to develop a love of reading can be a lot of fun for both of you. Get into the habit of reading with them every day, even if just for a short while. If they can read to you, take it in turns. Ideally, you should start as early on as possible, as this can help them to appreciate good writing and be able to pick up context clues. Reading helps with all kinds of skills, from writing their own stuff to communicating in general.

Via

2. Set An Example With Your Own Learning
If you can concentrate on your own learning and set an example for your kids, then that’s a great way to encourage them to excel. Monkey see monkey do really does have some truth in it, so show them that you also care about your learning and self development by learning new skills in front of them and talking about learning.

3. Allow Your Child To Follow Their Passion
If your child seems to have a love for something, whether that’s art, English, or maths, let them follow it. Let them talk about it, do Cazoom maths quizzes at home, and really help them to nurture the passion. You might think that other studies and subjects will be neglected, but this won’t be the case. Having passions from such an early age and getting kids excited about subjects is amazing!

4. Play As Many Games As Possible
Various games can teach kids all kinds of lessons: Clue for their process of elimination skills, Monopoly for skills with numbers and decision making, and so on, so break out those board games and have fun playing..

5. Make Sure Your Child Knows How To Switch Off And Relax
Teaching your child to shut down can be vital in improving their ability to switch on at the right times. Simple breathing exercises or even basic meditation can have a powerful impact on the ability to learn. It’s much better to teach them the skill of calming their minds rather than letting them sit in front of the TV. Look into Yoga and meditation for young people and you’ll be teaching them valuable skills for life.

6. Let Their Imaginations Run Wild 

Let your child write poems and stories. Let them make things and draw pictures. Allow them to use their imaginations as often as possible. Don’t correct them if they draw the sky green or the sea pink, simply ask them why they made that decision. You want to encourage them to let imagination flow, rather than force them to stick to reality.

Thanks for the opportunity to share six easy and fun things to do at home to help kids excel in school!

Random Inclement Weather Thoughts from the School Pick-Up Line with Jana Says

Today I am lounging around on a hammock on Castaway Cay, Disney's private island. Other activities include a massage on the beach. Hey ohhh. My long-time friend Jana who blogs over at Jana Says is here to pick up my slack today and will be responding to your comments below. Thanks Jana!

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For those who don’t know me, I’m Jana. I blog at Jana Says and Steph and I go way, WAY back to our years at the University of Delaware. You might have seen me in some of her Throwback Thursday pictures. We had fun.  Unfortunately, my life isn’t as exciting now as it was back then. In fact, a good portion of my week is devoted to time in my car, driving my daughter to and from places. Including school because she’s afraid of the bus. So each day, I
wastespend a fair amount of time waiting in the school pick-up line.  And I think. Which might or might not be a good thing. I've talked before about some of the thoughts that go through my head but now, with the winter and lots of inclement weather swiftly approaching, I have other thoughts.

In the morning
This line is incredibly long and slow moving. Kids need to toughen up and wait for the bus like we had to do.

 I really shouldn't criticize the other kids. My kid is just as bad.

I'm glad I remembered to warm up the car this morning. It's freaking cold out.

Is she wearing a warm enough coat? I hope they don't have outdoor recess.

Hey, why isn't that kid wearing a coat at all? Hoodies are not sufficient!!! His mother should know better.

I hate when people don't brush snow off their car. It's not that hard.

WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE TAKING SO LONG?

Oh, finally. We're moving towards the front door.

Where are all the teachers? Aren't they supposed to be supervising?

I guess I can't blame them. It's way too cold out. They can see the kids from the front door.

At least it's not raining/snowing.

I should check the weather to see if it's supposed to rain/snow today.

Oh, look at that. It's supposed to rain/snow.

I hate winter. I need to move somewhere warm.

In the afternoon

I think it's colder out now than it was this morning. I blame the snow.

I'm going to blame the snow for everything bad that happens during the months of December-March because it's really the worst thing ever.

That puddle is way bigger than it was this morning. I hope whichever teacher is walking around with the sign out clipboard doesn't step in it.

I'm glad this parking lot doesn't have huge potholes like the gym parking lot. My wheels would probably fall off. That would suck.

I should learn how to change a tire. But not until the weather is warmer. It's too cold for that shit. 

Why do I have 16 pairs of gloves and no scarves? If I could knit, I'd have 86 scarves. I should try knitting again.

Who am I kidding? Knitting is not a skill I will ever possess. I should surrender that fantasy.

What does one do with skeins of yarn? Is that what it's even called? I feel like it needs to be called "big knotted balls of yarn that serve no purpose".

I'm horrible at naming things.

That teacher has a pom pom on top of his hat! I bet someone knitted that for him.

I really need to stop thinking about knitting.

I should probably lower my music before that teacher gets to my car.

Why does Buckcherry's "Crazy Bitch" always play while I'm waiting for the child?

Let's go ahead and skip it today. I don't need these teachers thinking I'm a terrible and inappropriate parent.

WOOHOO! We're moving again!

Why is that teacher waving violently at my car? I'm aware that I have to move up.

Maybe she's doing it to keep warm. If that's the case, I can't fault her.

Okay, she needs to calm down now. My child is buckling her seat belt. Safety first.

OMG, I hate how people drive in the snow/rain.

I hate winter.

I need to move somewhere warm.

 Thanks so much to Steph for having me guest post again and Steph, if you're reading, I hope you're enjoying your vacation! Also, if you guys like intermittent posting, you can like Jana Says on Facebook; if you like pictures of dogs, books, and random stuff, you can follow me on Instagram; if you like nonsensical conversations, connect with me on Twitter; and if you like pins relating to food, snarky memes and pictures, and kids' crafts, find me on Pinterest.