If you want to help your child win this year, it’s important that they know learning doesn’t stop in the classroom.
Even if the majority of their academic learning takes place at school, they also need to learn how to operate in the real world.
These things will help your child not only win on an academic level but also set them up for success in life.
These concepts are aimed at parents with children over the age of 7 years old, but… the second and third concepts can easily be used for any age group. (Yes, even the children in nursery and reception.)
Set Yearly Goals
What does your child want to achieve at school? Sit with them at the beginning of the school year. Ask them and help them to set an academic goal for the school year. Setting goals helps children remember who they are in school for.
(Spoiler alert: lots of children think they only have to go to school because their parents make them.)
A goal for the year is severely long-term, but it helps children learn the principle of looking ahead while building in the present. Building this life skill is setting your child up to win big.
At the end of each school term, have a short conversation with your child about the steps they are taking to reach their yearly goal.
Set Short-Term Goals
At the beginning of each half-term, set a short-term goal too.
These goals are different from the yearly goals. They are something that can be achieved quickly. These goals help your child gain short-term success, and these goals can be simple.
A Note on Reaching Goals
If you’re not sure where to start, each school term could have a goal focus. This means the goals for the first two half terms could have the same focus. Then this can be repeated for the next two half terms and so on.
Goal Focus Ideas
Term 1 – Friendship Goals
Term 2 – Academic Goals
Term 3 – Christian Goals (If you are not from a Christian household, the goal focus could be kindness or generosity.)
Always remember, don’t just set goals but also discuss what your child would like to do to celebrate when they have reached them.
With both the long and short-term goals, it’s important to discuss what it is actually going to look like when they are achieved. Ask your child to tell you how they will know when they have met the goal.
Make Rest a Priority
Make a point to schedule rest!
This means having a time during the week when everyone in the household relaxes. This could be anything from a whole day where no one does anything related to school or work, or having a film night every week.
Making rest a priority teaches children to enjoy where they are and not just the moment when they have reached their goals. It also teaches them that they shouldn’t feel guilty for doing nothing when it’s time to rest.
These concepts will help your child win academically but, importantly, develop life skills that will benefit them now and in the future.
Title: New School Year Nerves? This Will Help Your Child Win!
Author: Leonie Thomas
Date Published: 31.8.2025
Leonie Thomas 