Transitioning from middle school to high school is difficult for parents and their teenagers. As a parent, your job is to support and guide your child through this emotional time. Here's help you child prepare for high school.
Instructions
1. Talk to your child about his feelings. Chances are, she's experiencing many emotions ranging from dread to elation. Although you have high school memories of your own, share them sparingly and focus on your child's individual journey. Show an active interest in her life and establish open lines of communication before high school begins.
2. Attend orientation. Although your child may discourage you from attending, you must learn about schedules, expectations and rules. This is also a good opportunity for you to meet teachers and counselors, observe students and get a feel for the environment in which your teenager will soon spend much of his time.
3. Discuss your expectations for academic performance. Inform your child that the primary purpose of high school is to gain knowledge and skills to prepare her for a successful future. Make sure she understands the relationship between high school grades, college admission and career attainment.
4. Ask your child to visit a guidance counselor to discuss an overall high school plan. If your child excels in academics, the counselor may suggest advanced placement courses. If your student struggles in school, the counselor can recommended helpful resources like after-school tutoring.
5. Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities. Sports and clubs provide an adult-supervised venue for interaction with peers and a healthy outlet for emotional and creative expression. If your child wants to try out for a sport, help him develop skills that will increase his chances of making a team.
6. Prepare your child for peer pressure and the many temptations she will face in high school. Teach her refuse drugs and alcohol, and defend herself against physical or sexual aggression. Let her know that she can come to you with any of her concerns without worrying about judgment or punishment.
7. Ask your child to visit a guidance counselor to discuss an overall high school plan. If your child excels in academics, the counselor may suggest advanced placement courses. If your student struggles in school, the counselor can recommended helpful resources, such as after-school tutoring.
Tags: your child, high school, academics counselor, academics counselor suggest, advanced placement, advanced placement courses