How can I help my kids bounce back academically after the holiday break?
All ages
The holiday season is a time of joy and excitement, but for kids, the transition back to school can be challenging. After weeks of unstructured time, extra treats and possibly traveling, it’s not always easy to jump back into routines and learning. Parents play a critical role in helping their children regain focus, stay motivated and build confidence for a successful new semester. Here are 10 expert strategies from LearningRX Irvine to help your child transition smoothly back to school:
1. Re-establish routines and set consistent schedules.
Reinstate regular bedtimes, wake-up times and homework routines to create a sense of structure. Kids work better with structure and when expectations are clear. Use calendars or planners to map out schoolwork, extracurricular activities and relaxation time. This is a good time to let them pick out a 2025 new planner, colored pencils and fun folders to make this an enjoyable activity.
2. Encourage goal setting.
Collaborate with your child to set short-term and long-term academic goals. Whether it’s improving study habits or submitting homework on time, help them create actionable steps and celebrate small achievements. Focus on their unique strengths and progress, avoiding comparisons with siblings or peers. Encouraging goal-setting builds motivation and a sense of accomplishment.
3. Create a dedicated study space.
If your child doesn’t already have a quiet, distraction-free study area, now is the time to set one up. Personalizing the space with favorite items, decorations or motivational quotes make it inviting and encourages them to spend time there. Ensure the space has all the necessary supplies, so they can focus on learning without interruptions.
4. Build emotional support.
Post-holiday transitions can be overwhelming. Listen to your child’s concerns and validate their feelings. Offering emotional support while helping them create a step-by-step plan can reduce stress and build their confidence. Remember to guide rather than take over, helping them tackle challenges without feeling pressured to achieve perfection immediately.
5. Offer constructive help.
Help your child organize and prioritize their tasks, but allow them to complete the work independently. Guide them without taking over. This approach reinforces time management skills and demonstrates your trust in their abilities. Avoid micromanaging — instead, encourage them to take ownership of their success.
6. Lead by example.
Share your own goals with your child and let them see you working toward them. Modeling discipline and perseverance teaches valuable life lessons. Sharing your struggles and how you overcame them can inspire or motivate your child to tackle their challenges with resilience.
7. Promote healthy habits.
The new year is a great time to reestablish healthy routines. Ensure your child gets nutritious meals, stays hydrated, exercises and gets adequate sleep. These habits form the foundation for energy and focus. Avoid overscheduling to prevent burnout and allow for downtime. Building these habits now sets the stage for a healthier adulthood.
8. Use rewards and incentives.
While internal motivation is ideal, external rewards can sometimes give a helpful boost. Tie incentives to effort and progress rather than results, like grades, to foster a growth mindset. This reinforces the idea that mistakes are part of the learning process.
9. Make learning fun.
Relate school subjects to your child’s interests or hobbies. For example, cooking together and following a recipe involves math skills to measure out ingredients. Another example is discussing sports statistics. Both use the same brain skills as math. Connecting learning to real-world activities helps make it more relevant and enjoyable, improving retention.
10. Monitor progress.
It’s important to not let learning struggles go on too long without intervention. Depending on what is age-appropriate, set weekly check-ins to discuss what is going well and this will reveal where they need support. Review assignments, set timelines for projects and communicate with teachers if you are seeing struggles and get their feedback. Catching learning struggles early prevents them from escalating and ensures your child gets the support they need.
These strategies can ease the transition from the holidays and set the tone for a productive new semester. If you notice lingering or emerging learning struggles, consider reaching out for professional support. The LearningRx Irvine brain training center specializes in helping children unlock their full potential by addressing the root causes of learning challenges. For a limited time, they are offering a 50 percent discount on a brain skills assessment.
Leanne DiSanto is the owner and managing director of LearningRx Irvine Brain Training Center, where she combines her expertise in cognitive training and life strategy coaching to help clients reach their full potential. Learn more at LearningRx.com/Irvine.
Leave a Reply