Student Behavior Tips

Helping improve student behavior is a task that most parents and teachers dread. It's important to get involved in your child's day-to-day life, but not too involved; you want to make sure your child is doing his work, but avoid nagging him. Yes it may take some work, but the outcome is well worth the effort. Your child will actually appreciate that you are interested in helping him to succeed.

Students Should Aim for Excelling, Not Perfecting

Encourage your student to do his best in school. Make it clear that you want him to excel, but that you don't expect perfection. Confusing excelling with perfecting may put too much pressure on your child. Here are some behavior tips that may help you help your child become the best student he can be:

Student Behavior Tips

• Talk to your child. Make sure you're aware of what classes he is taking, what he thinks of his teachers and/or the course material, what he's learning, etc. This will keep you aware of what is going on in your child's life and allow you and your child to set realistic goals.
• Set expectations about student behavior and performance. Let your child know what grades you expect in certain classes; this will give him a clear cut goal to work towards. However, make sure your expectations are in-line with your child's ability, don't expect A's in every class. You might want to set consequences for low grades and rewards for achieving good grades. A good way to do this may be with a student behavior contract between your child, yourself, and the teacher that outlines expectations in the classroom.
• Obtain resources. Make sure your student has what he needs at home to complete assignments and projects. This likely will involve the use of computers, so if you don't have one make sure your child has access to a library or homework center. Additional resources may include study guides and a dictionary.
• Stay involved. Attend parents’ night or other events where students need support. Feel free to communicate with your child's teacher when necessary. Don't be afraid to ask tough questions or act as your child's advocate.
• Participate in study time. When your child is studying or doing homework, offer your help. If it's not needed, read a book or engage in another quiet learning activity rather than watching TV or listening to the radio.
• Congratulate your child on good behavior, or for fulfilling student behavior contracts. If you notice your child has really stepped up his work ethic, let him know. Tell your child how proud you are of his choices and praise him for a job well done.

Getting Students on the Right Path to Better Behavior

Children aren't able to excel in every class all the time. If you see that your child is on a general path to better student behavior, then what you’re doing is working. It's important to give kids some breathing room and lay off the nagging; nagging only adds to the pressure students feel about grades and behavior. If you stay involved and positively encourage your child to put his all into school, you're bound to end up with a better student for life.