{"id":154,"date":"2019-08-27T12:23:36","date_gmt":"2019-08-27T16:23:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/charafeddine\/?p=154"},"modified":"2019-08-27T12:23:37","modified_gmt":"2019-08-27T16:23:37","slug":"14-tips-for-a-successful-school-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/charafeddine\/2019\/08\/27\/14-tips-for-a-successful-school-year\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Tips for a Successful School Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

EDUCATION<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0By Joanne Foster, EdD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"14<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

SYNOPSIS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the new school year unfolds, the time is ripe to consider some important tips about creativity, productivity, and well-being so as to inspire parents and kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, I\u2019ve shared hundreds of strategies for strengthening children’s intelligence, productivity, well-being, creativity, self-confidence, resilience, emotional health, and more\u2026 Here are fresh adaptations of 14 of my favorite tips for fortifying kids\u2019 capacities now, and throughout the school year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CREATIVITY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe only way to stay creative is to keep looking for challenges and devising innovative ways to meet them.\u201d   <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(“Beyond Intelligence<\/em>” – p. 41)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 1.) Creativity develops over time, with the right kinds of learning opportunities, challenges, and supports. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People are at their most creative when they\u2019re doing what they love to do. Help children harness that enjoyment by finding their own niches and experiential pleasures, and support them in following their interests as they change over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 2.)  Resourcefulness furthers intellectual growth, and can spark inquisitiveness, reflection, and aspirations.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even a little resourcefulness can be the difference between complacency and ingenuity. Resources abound in different contexts, and through various kinds of experiences at school, home, in the community, online, and elsewhere. When kids are resourceful, what starts out as curiosity often evolves into strengths or qualities that they can develop, feel happy about, and share with others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 3.)  Co-create a comfort zone.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seek a time and place where others are available to offer reinforcement and encouragement, where momentum can build, and where moving forward is a positive occurrence. This positivity could arise from maximizing effort, setting and attaining reasonable goals, being spontaneous (or, conversely taking time), making mistakes but learning from them, and stretching boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 4.)  Help kids understand that creativity requires time and commitment, but it\u2019s worth it.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creativity derives from what is original, meaningful, and effortful. Creative expression is something people choose<\/em> to nurture\u2014it\u2019s an active decision\u2014and this sometimes requires courage, determination, and conviction. Encourage kids to ask questions, get answers, think things through, be inventive, stay open-minded, and exercise patience. Parents can also talk about how their own accomplishments come about from investing creative energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRODUCTIVITY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes, we need others to reassure us that we\u2019re capable, and that what we do is worth doing.\u201d  <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 (\u201cBust Your BUTS<\/em>\u201d – p. 112)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 5.)  Figure out what\u2019s motivating. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe it\u2019s challenge. Flexibility. Reassurance. Creative expression. Choice. Fun. Familiar routines. Incentives. Feelings of pride about personal progress. Or finding enjoyment in learning and achieving. The possibilities are endless, and they\u2019ll differ from one person to the next. If something is personally relevant (that is, it connects meaningfully with the child\u2019s life, interests, or vision for the future), that relevance can be very motivating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 6.)  Consistency and routines matter. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children function best when there\u2019s stability and guidance, and this is especially the case during challenge or times of transition. Sometimes behaviors or circumstances change or get \u201crocked,\u201d and this can be hard for kids to manage. Help them get back into a pattern or routine so they feel at ease, and less pressured. They\u2019ll be more inclined to move forward, and to use their productive energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 7.)  Listen to other people, observe, and consider how they tackle challenges and surmount obstacles. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a good way to acquire information and knowledge, and it provides a base from which to build new understandings. When children interact, communicate, inquire, stretch their intellects, and share ideas, it comes together and serves to contribute to their learning and personal growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 8.)  Pay attention to skill sets. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some children and teens need new or better strategies for pacing, organization, time management, or self-regulation. Help them find solutions to the problems they may be facing. For example, homework-related issues might involve learning to use an agenda or study guide; finding a quiet and well-equipped workspace; removing distractions; collaborating with others; or developing more efficient ways of goal-setting and monitoring progress. Kids may also need assistance dealing with instructions, clarifying expectations, or breaking tasks down into smaller, manageable chunks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WELL-BEING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can learn to define your own success, and the path you want to take to get there\u2026. If you\u2019re willing to challenge your understandings of success, and you don\u2019t focus exclusively on big accomplishments, you\u2019ll experience more successes\u2014and greater confidence.\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(\u201cBust Your BUTS<\/em>\u201d – p. 34)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 9.)  Be aware. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pay attention to children\u2019s reactions and behaviors (such as acting out, depression, aggression, procrastination, arrogance, or introversion). Parents who are attuned to their children, and aware of what they\u2019re up to\u2014and with whom\u2014are better positioned to help them respond to challenges, and any emotional upheavals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 10.)  Help kids recognize what underlies their feelings. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emotions might include fear, guilt, joy, embarrassment, jealousy, confusion, disgust, grief, hope, frustration\u2026 Encourage children to name and acknowledge what they\u2019re feeling in order to gain self-awareness. They may want to choose the time or place. Some children find it difficult to put feelings into words, so be prepared to help them with that. Drawing, journaling, or storytelling can be beneficial for children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 11.)  Convey pride.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celebrate the small successes as well as the bigger ones. Show that you believe in children\u2019s ability to succeed. This will help build their self-confidence and optimism, so they\u2019ll feel good about themselves, and be better prepared to tackle life\u2019s ups and downs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 12.) As children mature, encourage them to take stock of themselves from time to time, to reflect upon and become accountable for their actions. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Help kids make time for what really matters. This includes being gracious and increasingly mindful of others, and working hard. Integrity, confidence, forgiveness, and empathy enable kids to become caring and competent adults. Parents can model and share the importance of this\u2014focusing on becoming better, stronger, and kinder people, and empowering children to do likewise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 13.) Nurture children\u2019s autonomy as they grow, including learning to become active in decision-making, and problem solving. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Demonstrate ways of coping with changes, risks, and uncertainties because they are inevitable. There\u2019s a lot to be said for persistence, solid work habits, and effort. Help kids learn to become active decision-makers and problem-solvers, and to find supportive others\u2014family members, teachers, friends\u2014in order to work together. Obtain professional advice when it\u2019s required.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

AND, FINALLY\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThoughtful and patient direction within the complexity of kids\u2019 lives can make all the difference in whether they\u2019ll make smart decisions about what to do with the 24 hours they have each day. Like the rest of us, they appreciate support, understanding, and encouragement.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(“Not Now, Maybe Later<\/em>” – p. 68)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 14.) Give thanks. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be grateful for all that we have, all that we can accomplish, and all that our children can accomplish. Continue to foster and fortify their developing plans, capabilities, sensitivities, virtues, aspirations, enthusiasms, and value systems. In the whole scheme of things, these are what really matter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

EDUCATION\u00a0By Joanne Foster, EdD SYNOPSIS As the new school year unfolds, the time is ripe to consider some important tips about creativity, productivity, and well-being so as to inspire parents and kids. Over the years, I\u2019ve shared hundreds of strategies for strengthening children’s intelligence, productivity, well-being, creativity, self-confidence, resilience, emotional health, and more\u2026 Here are Continue reading →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":872,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blogs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/charafeddine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/charafeddine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/charafeddine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/charafeddine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/872"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/charafeddine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=154"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/charafeddine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":155,"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/charafeddine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154\/revisions\/155"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/charafeddine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/charafeddine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/charafeddine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}