Webster County High School

Trial runs prepare your teen for new challenges In the teen years, students do a lot of things for the first time, like driving to school or interviewing for a job. Boost your teen's self-confidence when facing these firsts by encouraging a trial run. For example, think of questions an interviewer might ask. Then role-play with your teen. If it isn't possible to do a practice run, talk your teen through the experience. Your student will have a clearer picture the steps to take, and that inspires confidence. https://tpitip.com/?32hD18889

Give your teen some assignments at home Teens learn a lot from doing chores, like responsibility, self-care and helpfulness. It's reasonable to expect teens to be responsible for getting themselves up, preparing their lunch, washing and drying their clothes, changing their sheets and managing their money. It's also reasonable to ask your teen to contribute to your family's wellbeing by doing tasks such as babysitting, washing dishes and working with you on projects around the house. https://tpitip.com/?32hB18889

Decoding skills are key to reading new words Before children can learn to read, they must learn the sounds letters make. Then they can begin to decode, or figure out, written words by sounding out each of the letters. To help your child practice decoding, point to a new word. Touch each letter from left to right, saying its sound. Then blend all the sounds together to pronounce the word. Make a game of decoding words together all around the house! https://tpitip.com/?12hA18889

Sharing family history reinforces connections Few things build family unity like remembering shared experiences. Ask your teen to keep a family journal. Provide a binder and encourage family members to share stories and photos of special times spent together with your teen. Then pull it out from time to time to look through it together and reminisce. Your teen may also enjoy making a time capsule of your family's current interests to rediscover in the future. https://tpitip.com/?32fT18889

Right now is the right time to prepare for college No matter what grade your teen is in, you can help with preparations for admission to college. Discuss careers and the education they require with a middle schooler. Encourage a freshman to get involved in clubs, volunteer work or sports. Help a sophomore research colleges online. Urge a junior to prepare for and take college entrance exams if needed for schools of interest. Make sure a senior knows every application and financial aid deadline. Check in with your teen's counselor each year to be sure your teen is taking the classes needed for graduation and college admittance. https://tpitip.com/?32fL18889

Stop arguing when your decision is final Now that your child is a teen, you may be able to compromise on many things, such as curfews and clothing that you couldn't in earlier years. But other things, such as those that affect safety, are still non-negotiable. When these cases come up, don't argue with your teen. Simply state your answer, give your reasons and then say the subject is closed. If your teen argues, acknowledge that you disagree, but make it clear that you won't change your mind. https://tpitip.com/?32fK18889

Use upbeat music to wake your teen up It's your teen's responsibility to get ready in time for school or other commitments every day. So make it clear that you won't be providing a wakeup call. Instead, let a favorite band help. Suggest waking up to a fast-paced song that will help energize your teen's body and mind. Limit morning background noise to music, though. Streaming videos and TV will distract your teen. https://tpitip.com/?32fJ18889

Volunteering is valuable experience Volunteer activities can give your teen opportunities to show independence, take risks and shine, all while building a résumé. Informal activities, such as looking after a neighbor's child, are the easiest to find and may inspire your teen's desire to get more involved. More formal activities, such as a regular volunteer job, build responsibility and can help your teen explore a career field. https://tpitip.com/?32fI18889

Mix enterprise and exercise to get your teen moving Has your teen become a couch potato? Wouldn't exercise unless paid to? Well, maybe somebody WILL pay. Many odd jobs involve physical activity. Could your teen clean out a neighbor's garage? Or find jobs doing yardwork, like mowing lawns, planting shrubs or trimming bushes? Your teen might even work up a sweat babysitting an active child. https://tpitip.com/?32fG18889

Help your teen establish a list-making habit The emotional and physical changes that happen during the teen years can make many kids forgetful and disorganized. This is usually a temporary phase. But if your teen's memory needs a boost, encourage the habit of writing down lists. Suggest that your student make lists of favorite songs, restaurants, books, etc. Then your teen can carry the habit over to school and make lists of tasks and assignments. https://tpitip.com/?32fF18889

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Study groups work when they take studying seriously You may not believe it if your teen says a group is meeting at a friend's house to "study." But studying with others can help teens master material and practice collaboration. The key is to form a group in which members really study. For the best results, your teen should choose four to six people who want to do well in school. They should divide the work in ways that play to members' strengths, and then be sure to stick to a schedule so they stay on track. https://tpitip.com/?32eS18889

Your teen benefits when you stay involved Need a reason to stay involved in your teen's education? How about three reasons? Teens with involved parents: 1. Have more positive attitudes about school and learning. 2. Are better readers. 3. Finish their assignments on time more often. To boost academic achievement, encourage your teen to set learning goals, and talk often about school and how class topics relate to life outside the classroom. https://tpitip.com/?32eR18889

Listening works better than lectures You've lectured until you're blue in the face, but your teen keeps doing things you've said not to do. That's probably because lecturing often makes teens defensive, angry and defiant. What works? Working on a problem together. To encourage cooperation, say, "I'd really like to hear what's going on with you so we can talk about it." Teens are more likely to react positively if they feel their parents are listening to them. https://tpitip.com/?32eQ18889

Get to the bottom of a poor grade If you discover that your teen's grade in a class is low, or even failing, ask some questions before you react. Did your teen complete and turn in the assignments? Was the class too challenging? Is your student in an honors class when a regular class would be a better fit? Does the teacher think your teen is capable of doing the work? Then, discuss possible next steps. Could your teen repeat the course over the summer or next year? https://tpitip.com/?32eP18889

Encourage your teen to preview and summarize science reading Reading a science text is not the same as reading the sports pages. Encourage your teen to preview the headings, subheadings, summaries and review questions before starting to read. What can the pictures or diagrams tell your student about the text? Then, when reading, suggest that your teen stop after each section and try to explain it before moving on. https://tpitip.com/?32eO18889