Summer is officially over and school is back in session! We know that keeping your kids on track can be challenging. But with the right strategies, you can help them stay focused, organized, and motivated throughout the academic year. Here are four ways to make this school year a success!

Consistency is crucial for keeping kids on the right path. By sticking to a set schedule for homework, meals, and bedtime, children can better anticipate each day's activities, leading to reduced stress and improved concentration. Cozi Family Organizer is a great app that helps the whole family stay on the same page with shared calendars and reminders. If the school-issued planner doesn't cut it for your student, go digital with the myHomework Student Planner app.

It's crucial to have weekly check-ins with kids throughout the school year. These regular conversations are essential for monitoring their academic progress and identifying areas where they may need extra support. They also provide a great opportunity to celebrate their successes and foster a positive attitude towards learning. Moreover, these check-ins create a safe space for children to express their thoughts and feelings, which is key to building strong communication skills and emotional resilience.

By setting goals and discussing expectations, weekly check-ins encourage responsibility and help kids stay organized and focused. Additionally, these check-ins strengthen the parent-child relationship, making it easier to address any social or emotional challenges, and ensuring that children feel supported at home and in school.

Help your kids develop effective study habits by creating a dedicated study space, free from distractions. Teach them the importance of taking breaks and using study aids like flashcards. A great tool for all ages is Evernote. This app is beneficial in organizing notes and to-do lists, helping students of all ages stay on top of their coursework. By establishing good study habits and utilizing helpful apps, students can manage their time effectively, retain information better, and reduce stress throughout the school year. Kahoot! is another interactive way to make studying more interesting.

Make learning fun for younger scholars with apps like Khan Academy Kids (Pre-K through 2nd grade) and SplashLearn (Preschool through 5th grade). For older students, apps like Focus To-Do can help them stay focused while hitting the books! If your student has trouble in math, IXL and MathMaster are phenomenal resources that give detailed step-by-step explanations of each problem.

It's essential to maintain a balance between academic and emotional well-being. Encourage your children to participate in extracurricular activities, engage in physical exercise, and pursue hobbies they enjoy. This can help prevent burnout and keep them motivated for their schoolwork.

Also, though we are in a digital age, let’s be sure to put down our phones, and iPads, and turn off gaming systems. Our eyes need a break from looking at screens non-stop. Apps like Google Family Link and Kids360 allow you to set time limits on apps that distract your student. Not only can you customize time restraints but you can track their location, protect privacy, block inappropriate content, and more.

Let’s set the tone for success by establishing these healthy routines and staying consistent throughout the year. I truly believe that by integrating some of the above apps, you can create a more balanced and organized environment for your kids. May your entire family thrive both academically and personally!

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