It’s that time of the year again when we get a new “bug” in our homes and classrooms. We finally get through the cold and flu season and break the cycle of being stuck inside due to the cold weather, just in time for “spring fever” to make its appearance. You may notice the symptoms of staring out the window, pulling out the sunglasses, or just begging for time outside to play. This condition can affect the young and old alike, and it can make school an extra challenge for any student. However, the tasks of the day don’t change, and there are minimums that need to be met to finish your school projects and curriculum on time. To help your child finish strong as he completes his final assignments and projects for the school year, try a few of these tricks to use his “spring fever” to his advantage.
Try a new location for school. This can be moving your computer to a sunny porch to catch a few rays of sun, moving to a library or friend’s house for a change of environment, or even just taking some extra breaks between subjects to get outside to enjoy the warmer weather. Even adding in some fun extra-curricular learning like field trips, science experiments, and hands-on activities can help, too.
Stick to a schedule. I love this one because it is my belief that consistency is a key factor in school success. Take the time to figure out how much work needs to be completed before the end of the year and organize daily, weekly, and monthly goals that need to be met. You can always work ahead of those goals in preparation for the extra nice days outside but make sure you know what truly needs to be done. Giving your child the power to help set the schedule can help too, since they will know how much work they are willing to put in each day. Try a whiteboard list of required assignments for the day that they can have the privilege to erase once completed.
Add a reward system. This can build directly off your schedule and can reward everything from staying on pace to positive behaviors. Let the prize be outside time, fun family events, or even a learning trip to places like a zoo, park, or historical site in your area.
Add an extra hour to your day. Some students find it beneficial to get up an hour earlier to start working before the heat and the sun start calling their name. This can lead to more focus on the tasks at hand and can be a great tool to accomplish everything on your list. One thing to remember is that it is still best to follow your child’s schedule and have them working during their best time of day (or night)! Do extra work on the cool or rainy days too, so you can take advantage of the sun when it shines.
Find a little balance. The truth is you need to find what works for you. Make sure to find a balance between school, friends, sunshine, and life. Make sure to schedule play time and breaks during your day and times to focus directly on school. Know that even a 5-10 minute break now can save an hour or two later in the day.