three times, which leaves them with blank copies to
Helping them get started on Sunday nights can
use. When a student fills out (not just reads) a study
reduce procrastination and help your child feel less
guide at least three times, they tend to do better on
overwhelmed. their tests.

4. It takes my student a long time to complete his
Study Partners
homework because he is not focused on it. How can I
Another great idea is to have your student use
help him stay focused?
Google Hangouts or Facetime with a study partner.

We like to call these kids “Super Bowl Kids” – the
This helps create accountability for both students
game is on for four hours, but they only play football
and does not make them rely on their own notes.

for an hour. Your student may have a half-hour
Furthermore, it forces them to speak aloud the
writing assignment, but they are toiling away for
content and hear the content repeated back to them,
hours working on it with no result. Sound familiar?
which will solidify their knowledge of the material.

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It is not that the student is not working diligently
3. My child struggles with tackling long-term
during that time – they are just distracted. Research
assignments, so he procrastinates. How can I help
shows that when projects feel big for kids, they often
him start his projects early?
procrastinate more.

We see many students who procrastinate, especially
with long-term projects. These students feel
If you have a “Super Bowl Kid” on your hands, a
overwhelmed, underprepared and are not sure how
timer is your best ally. You can use the timer on the
to get started.

microwave oven, on your phone (but be careful with
this – that could be distracting, too!) or a specialty
How can parents help? Make Sunday family dinners
timer. Set the timer for 15 or 20 minutes and
the jumping off point for planning. Schedule 20
encourage your child to work as hard and as focused
minutes before or right after Sunday dinner to
as they can for just that amount of time, and then
Check One:
❏ Okay As Is
review any upcoming assignments for the week. You
Approved by:
can ask, “What is due this week and what is coming
_________________ up?” If your child says, “I have a test on Friday” or
Changes that
“I have a science project due ❏ in Needs
two weeks,”
changes and on ad)
is a great way to suggest forward (Mark
thinking backward planning. You can
then Sent:
ask, “How can
Date take a break.

Ann Dolin, M.Ed. is the founder and president of Educational
Connections Tutoring (www.ectutoring.com). Her team of tutors
helps students with content knowledge, academic strategies and
study skills. They travel to students’ homes throughout Northern
VA, D.C. and MD.

you break down that project into smaller tasks?”
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