Mid-Year Check-In: 5 Parenting Strategies to Help Your Child Stay on Track in School

Expert Tips From LearningRx Irvine to Tackle Academic Challenges and Prep for Success

IRVINE, California. – (November 19, 2024) – As the school year hits its mid-point, and winter break approaches many parents are reflecting on their child’s progress and noticing areas where extra support may be needed. Whether it’s difficulties with a specific subject, focus issues, or lack of motivation, winter break is the perfect time to check in and make the most of addressing these challenges before they snowball into bigger problems. LearningRx Irvine, a leader in cognitive brain training, offers parents practical strategies to help their child regain focus, build confidence, and thrive during the second half of the school year.

Here are five parenting tips from “Momprenuer” Leanne DiSanto, owner and managing director of LearningRx Irvine that can help keep your child on track:

1. Create an Open Line of Communication: Take time to check in with your child regularly in a relaxed, judgment-free environment. Open-ended questions like, “What’s been your favorite thing about school lately?” or “What’s feeling tough for you right now?” encourage honest conversations. Share your own learning experiences to model positivity toward overcoming challenges.
2. Establish a Homework Routine: Start by discussing homework with your child – why it’s important, what they need to succeed, and how they feel about it. Getting their input on the routine can make them more engaged and willing to stick to it. Create a distraction-free workspace with all necessary supplies, and help your child prioritize assignments, starting with the most challenging tasks. Use the “25-5 rule” – 25 minutes of focus, 5 minutes of break – to keep them productive and focused. If they continue to struggle, cognitive brain training can help improve essential skills like memory and attention, setting them up for long-term success.
3. Focus on Building Executive Function Skills: Mid-year is the perfect time to build essential skills like time management, memory, and problem-solving. Tools like planners, visual aids, or even timers can help your child stay organized and on task. If your child struggles with these areas, LearningRx Irvine specializes in strengthening the cognitive skills that support executive function, giving students the tools they need to succeed.
4. Encourage Growth Mindset and Resilience: As the school year progresses, it’s important to celebrate effort rather than just outcomes. Praise small wins, such as completing homework on time or staying focused during study sessions, to build motivation and confidence. Use setbacks as learning opportunities by discussing what went well and what could improve next time.
5. Address Potential Underlying Issues: If your child continues to struggle despite structured support, weak cognitive skills may be the root cause. These foundational skills, which include attention, memory, and reasoning, impact not only academics but also social and emotional well-being. LearningRx Irvine offers assessments to identify cognitive skill gaps and customized brain training programs to strengthen them.

The upcoming holiday break provides an opportunity to reset and refresh for the second half of the school year. Parents can use this time to reflect on their child’s strengths and challenges, establish new routines, or even explore additional resources like brain training to address persistent struggles. Early intervention now can lead to significant improvements in focus, confidence, and overall academic success.

“At LearningRx Irvine, we take a personalized approach to understanding the root cause of a child’s struggles,” said Leanne DiSanto, owner and managing director of LearningRx Irvine in Costa Mesa, California. “Our brain training programs are designed to target the specific cognitive skills a student needs to strengthen, empowering them to tackle academic challenges with confidence and resilience. And now, when you call our Irvine location before the end of the year, you’ll receive 50% off any child assessment test. This is a great opportunity to start making life-changing improvements for your child’s future!”

DiSanto’s location serves those in Southern California such as Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Tustin, and the surrounding Los Angeles or San Diego areas. To get more information or book an assessment to make long-lasting and life-changing improvements, visit the site at: https://www.learningrx.com/costa-mesa-irvine/.