Most teachers will tell you that the key to a great school year is to invest time at the beginning of the year establishing classroom routines and rules.   The 3/33 approach in the  classroom refers to spending the first three weeks focusing  primarily on these expectations so that the remaining 33 weeks can  be focused more on learning.  The same can apply in the home, too.

This time of year is a great opportunity for parents to establish routines and expectations around the haome to set a tone for a  positive school year.  Everyone is in the mindset of making  transitions this time of year, so it is a natural time to establish
weekly “check-in” meetings with the family, more efficient homework  routines, and systems for managing school papers, to name a few.   It is even a great time to set the “attitude” for the school year, too.

For example, I recently overheard a mom and her son (I am guessing he was ten or eleven years-old) in the store buying back-to-school supplies.  The boy commented that he was not looking forward to school and his mom replied, “I know it is hard when summer
is over, but I think you are going to have a great year with Mrs. Chet.   You have a lot of friends in her class and I think you are going to find math much easier.”  Her son replied, “Do you think I could get a B in math?”  Mom answered, “Of course you can!” and they went on shopping.  I do not know if the conversation continued and I do not know exactly why they thought math would be so much better this  year, but I do know that the mother was really helping her son develop a positive attitude as he faced the anticipation of going back  to school. 

All parents have this influence, even if some kids are more reluctant to admit it than the boy in the store.  It is not always easy when parents are busy and feeling a little scattered with all of the transitions that back-to-school brings for them, too.  However,
like in the classroom, the investment of these first three weeks will pay dividends throughout the school year! 

In Conclusion…

I recently wrote an article with a back-to-school action plan for parents.  (Ironically, it was written before I even thought about how relevant the 3/33 approach is for parents!)  The title is 21 Days to Back to School Bliss and it outlines the exact steps you can take to help make the first three weeks of school apositive start for everyone!  Some of you may
have already come across this article through other sites, but you can also find it at http://www.soarstudyskills.com/morefreestuff.htm.