Lagging+Larry+-+What+to+do+when+your+child+is+already+behind+at+the+begiinning+of+the+year



Lagging Larry and Behind the Eight Ball Betty

What to do when your child is behind at the beginning of a school year.

1. Take an INVENTORY Questionaire - Ask your child: a. What do you like to do at home when you have free time? Once your child answers this, be sure to include this activity when he/she is finished with homework. b. Hobbies? c. Favorite website, tv shoe, video game - be sure to watch/play them with your child after homework is finished. d. favorite genre of books - supply your home library with this genre. e. When do you want to do your homework? Time etc.

2. Stey away from grades and focus on OUTCOMES - what are the skills and concepts you need to learn for all subjects this week. Once your child receives a poor GRADE on a test, he/she will associate the poor grade with what he/she DOESN'T KNOW. Focus on what he/she does know and NEEDS to know.

3. Extra help - a tutor - affter school.

4. Reading buddy with a more successful reader. Ask your child first if this would be something he/she is interested in doing.

5. Famous Role Models who struggled in school - [|www.pbs.com/readingrockets]

6. Memory Skills/Listening Skills - often times a child who is struggling has poor memory skills and/or poor listening skills. Restate what you want your child to do in different ways. Have your child repeat what you want them to do.

EARLY INTERVENTION in the KEY. If you think your child has more problems than just needing extra time and more parental involvement, then you need to have the problem identified early. Waiting until the late elementary grades will prove to be difficult in catching your child up with the rest of the class.