Posted by: Sara Carbone on: March 19, 2012
“A little less conversation, a little more action” sang The King. Very true when it comes to helping the kid who avoids and procrastinates. A kid avoids homework for many reasons – it’s hard, boring, overwhelming or just plain inconvenient. Lecturing and nagging doesn’t tend to work. So try some action instead. Sit down and [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: March 10, 2012
With arms crossed, Rebecca stares stonily at the bedroom wall. Anna peers down anxiously at her. “Your work habits are going to keep you from ever being able to hold down a job. If -” says Anna. “Stop talking.” Rebecca’s hand coming up could halt an oncoming train. “Just leave.” “Look, we know you can [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: February 26, 2012
Even the most confident kids have moments of doubt about themselves and school. Others struggle with anxieties about adult approval, their grades and their abilities. One thing you can do is help her create a list called 50 Positive Things About Myself. Start with all the things she can think of, school-related and otherwise. Go [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: February 20, 2012
Joyce Meiklejohn of NY reflects on helping her two teenagers, Grace and Erick, with school. Sara Carbone: What do you think teenagers typically struggle with in school? Joyce Meiklejohn: A kid who is not doing well in school or making poor choices is very unhappy with his circumstances. Much like the adults around him, he has [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: February 7, 2012
Erica is an experienced educator currently teaching 7th grade science at a Westchester, NY public school. Sara Carbone: When are parents too involved? Erica: Some parents are overly involved, requesting homework directly from the teacher. At the middle school level, this does not prepare your child to take responsibility for her schoolwork. She becomes dependent [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: February 4, 2012
Using a planner or agenda is an extremely important skill, one that your kid should learn sooner rather than later (4th or 5th grade). Here are some things she can do to use it effectively. 1. Put anything and everything in there – not just academics. This way she learns to be responsible in all [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: January 23, 2012
Below is an interview with Sarah Schrag, a former student of mine when she was in high school. She currently attends Boston University. Sara Carbone: What do parents do that doesn’t work? Sarah Schrag: Parents generally act in ways that the think helps their child, but their kid may never tell them how damaging it is. [...]
Posted by: Sara Carbone on: January 22, 2012
1. When your kid gets a poor grade on a test you: a) Lecture him about what he did wrong until his eyes glaze over or he walks away b) Get into a fight about it and take his cell phone away for a week c) Sit down with him and start with several gentle, [...]