10 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in School This Fall Ready to help your child make this the best school year yet? We’ve got some tips to make the transition to the classroom easier and keep your student focused! 1. Ditch unnecessary technology during homework. Keep the focus on the task at hand by limited phones, tablets and computers, when possible. 2. Decide on a regular homework schedule. Involve your child in the discussion to come to an agreement. Do they need time to unwind and have a snack before getting started? Or do after-school activities require they wait until after dinner? 3. Designate a space for homework. A comfortable area stocked with school essentials can help keep your student focused on their work. 4. Enroll them in personal brain training. One-on-one brain training targets the cognitive skills that make up the foundation of ALL learning. These include brain skills like memory, auditory processing, attention, processing speed, logic & reasoning, and visual processing. It also gives kids a HUGE boost of confidence! 5. Learn to recognize the signs of frustration. They are lots of reasons that kids procrastinate or take forever to do simple homework. Find out if the work is boring, too hard or too confusing and address those concerns immediately. 6. Create a calendar. Keep track of upcoming tests, writing assignments and projects and check in with your student to make sure they’re preparing early. 7. Ensure they’re taking the correct level classes. Advanced placement classes can help prepare your student for college, but not every class is a good match for every student. Talk to the teacher and evaluate if it’s the right fit for your child. 8. Feed them brain food. Sugars, food dyes and highly processed foods can wreak havoc on kids’ brains. Opt for foods that help keep the brain at peak function: blueberries, salmon, sardines, eggs, nuts and leafy green vegetables. 9. Reevaluate medications. Allergy medications can put your student in a fog. Stimulant medications for ADHD can have side effects. Talk to your pediatrician about potential alternatives, such as allergen immunotherapy or nonstimulant medications. 10. Ensure they get plenty of quality sleep. Sleep helps recharge and “reboot” your brain. Too few winks and your memory, attention and processing speed all suffer.