There is no denying that the past two years have been hard on students. They have had to adjust to a lot of changes and deal with many unknowns. And yet they are expected to continue performing at the same level or higher than they did before. This has led to a lot of apathy as students feel overwhelmed and struggle to keep up.
Here are a few ways you can support your child in overcoming apathy and staying more engaged:
Start the Day Off Strong
Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy, filling breakfast so their bodies and brains have the energy they need. If they are constantly yawning or focused on their grumbling stomach, it can make it hard to pay attention to what is happening in class. Create a schedule and routine so they wake up each morning ready to go and aren’t scrambling to rush out the door and catch the bus.
Maintain Open Communication
Build a trusting relationship with your child so they feel comfortable coming and talking to you. Give them the space and safety to talk about whatever is on their mind. Worries can weigh heavily on them and make it harder to focus their energy on school. If they’re concerned about an ailing family member, a fight they had with a friend, their upcoming soccer game, or choosing a college, be available to talk things through with them.
Explore Their Interests
Many students struggle to see how what they are learning in school relates to real life. Help them build these meaningful connections by leveraging things they are interested in. What type of career do they think they want to pursue? What are their hobbies? Then, look at what they are learning and how that is important to their future. Help them study or practice at home by relating it to something that does interest them or connecting it to something they already know.
Celebrate Their Successes
“Successes” does not just mean As or perfect scores. Praise them for improving their grades, even if they don’t score a 100%. Recognize the hard work they put into their project, to working through a problem with their group, or in conducting research for their paper. Celebrate figuring out how to create their presentation online or helping a classmate with an assignment. A little bit of positive recognition can go a long way and make them feel seen and valued.
Manage Stress
Has your child stopped putting forth as much effort because they’re feeling stressed? Work on strategies to reduce stress such as journaling, yoga, meditation, playing or walking outside, being active, or doing something they enjoy. Be a positive role model by demonstrating self-care and stress management in your own daily life.
Don’t Give Up
Reassure your child that you are not giving up on them, and they should not give up on themselves. Help them to set goals and work toward achieving them. Talk to their teacher about things you can be doing at home to support their success. Sign them up for tutoring for classes that they find especially difficult, or even for help with skills such as organization, note taking, or studying.
Knowing that they have adults in their corner supporting them and wanting them to succeed can be motivating. Equip them with the tools and resources they need to do their best. Making things more manageable and letting them know it’s okay to ask for help can make a big difference. Contact Crafting Scholars today to learn more about our custom learning programs.