The recipe for success at school

First ingredient: books!

Read, read and read some more! Not only do I say it over and over, but I can't help signing my kids up for book and magazine subscriptions, or hunting for that little literary gem that will win them over and capture their attention. A book they fall in love with often sparks an irresistible urge to discover the author's other books, and that snowball effect is precious when you're dealing with more “reluctant” little readers. For me, instilling a love of reading is just as important as all the big and small essential needs of everyday life. With that in mind, going to the library regularly is a lovely ritual that costs nothing and lets you discover a whole host of literary styles.

Books not only let us travel and escape on a shoestring (or even for free!), they also help grown-ups and little ones alike enrich their vocabulary by discovering new words, beginning with picture dictionaries and later through all kinds of literary genres, each one as different as the next: non-fiction, humour, history, fantasy, tragedy, drama, adventure and many more.

Expanding their word bank helps young and not-so-young alike express themselves better, but also better understand the world around them, explain their ideas more easily and share what they know with greater confidence. It's easier for a child to give an opinion, ask for something or say what they like or dislike when they have a good vocabulary, meaning a wide range of words they know and have absorbed.

Once children are able to write sentences, however simple, those with a broad vocabulary not only find it easier to write and come up with ideas, they often stand out delightfully from the rest: their sentences are better worded and longer, and their word choices vary from one sentence to the next.

Whether our budget is big or small, books remain accessible to everyone. And the good news is that there's no right or wrong kind of reading! Whether it's a comic book, a magazine or a light novel, the point isn't to discover Balzac before everyone else, but rather to catch the reading bug, the kind that makes us want to discover another book, another author, another illustrator or a new series. And besides, who would complain about spending a lovely moment snuggled up with their kids, whisking them away for the length of a story?

It's music to our ears when children start babbling, making new sounds and naming the things around them. Language development is sometimes underestimated when it comes to academic success. That's why it's important to pay close attention to how words are pronounced, how sentences are put together and the vocabulary used, which can be enriched through conversations about new topics or visits to new places. Small pronunciation errors usually show up in writing too (writing “fing” instead of “thing,” or “chrain” instead of “train”). They can also be seen in sentence structure, so it's best to keep a close ear on how your little brood talks!

If you notice little “verbal typos,” you can simply repeat the word back with the correct pronunciation, stressing exactly how it's said and exaggerating the target sound. Speaking slowly also supports learning. There's no need to ask your child to say it again. If your concerns persist, a speech-language pathologist can offer help and advice to guide you in better supporting your child.

This question often goes unanswered, or the answer isn't very satisfying. Have you ever tried asking it differently? For example, you could ask instead: “What did you learn today? What stuck with you?” By focusing our questions more on learning and understanding (and less on what the child did), not only are we likely to find out a little more, but our little one will also realize that “they know what they know.” This is what's called metacognition. Knowing what they know makes it easier and simpler for them to apply their knowledge to new situations in everyday life, outside of school: telling time when they need to, cooking a recipe with fractions (math), explaining why the sun sets earlier (science) or the origin of tipis (social studies), and so on. In education jargon, this is called knowledge transfer, and it's essential to learning.

(Let) simmer gently...

As parents, adults, caregivers and educators, we play no small part as role models for children. They watch us, spy on us, copy us and repeat what we say and do, sometimes to our great delight and other times... not so much!

The more good things children hear about school and the school community, the more motivated and engaged they'll be in their schooling. Trust in the school, the educators and the teachers will always be reflected in how children see their school environment. That's why constructive relationships, parents' involvement in meetings and showing up for appointments are a must for children to enjoy real success. That way, they feel that their schooling matters and that school holds a special place in their lives, that it's important. If there's a misunderstanding, a worry or a doubt, get in touch with your child's teacher. It's by working together, with trust and collaboration, that we find the best ways to help the student.

To be ready to take in new learning and give their best, children need two things: a good night's sleep and... a light heart, free of worries! Life isn't always smooth sailing, and kids and grown-ups alike go through all sorts of things: the loss of a loved one or a pet, a separation, sibling squabbles, worry or excitement about an upcoming event, and the list goes on. A child who isn't feeling good in their head and heart won't be able to absorb new learning, listen and get down to work on an assignment or homework. If your child isn't comfortable talking about it with their teacher, nothing's stopping you from slipping a little note into their communication folder or emailing the teacher to let them know what's been worrying your child.

Is an oral presentation getting under your little Théo's skin? Did Charles put his foot in it again at recess? Does English class give Alice butterflies in her stomach? Have you lived through a nightmare in a public place? A bit like kindergarten teachers do, I encourage you to set clear ways of doing things and be explicit about the behaviour you expect in different situations. Whether it's about school or your everyday activities with your little brood, explain clearly to your kids what behaviour is expected, how they should act or react, and which strategies or work methods will help them succeed. It could also be an agreement with the teacher, a breathing technique or pictograms to guide and structure their work. And when things improve, congratulate your child and encourage them to keep it up, and let them see how proud you are!

Finally, have realistic goals, even if it means lowering the bar a little at first, so your child can experience success of any kind.

To wrap up, I invite you to take a look at our printables from the School Management and Education Department, which are sure to make it easier to organize this important part of your life and your kids' lives!

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