School isn’t always easy, but with the right tools, methods and encouragement, every student can succeed. If you’re child is having a rough start to the school year, we gathered some tips from PBS.org and Charlotte Foster, executive director at Sylvan Learning of Little Rock, on ways you can help them to get back on track.

1. Establish a specific time and place in the home to start homework.
2. Take breaks during long homework sessions.
3. Try to relate your child’s lessons to the real world to help them better understand a concept.
4. Offer positive feedback.
5. Help your child learn to use and check an agenda or planner daily.
6. Ask your child questions about homework each night to establish an understanding of the material.
7. Have your child assessed at Sylvan Learning of Little Rock or another local tutoring center in order to make sure they are truly working on grade level.
8. Never trust classroom grades as the only indicator of learning. Many times, those are averaged with bonus points, extra credit, etc.
9. Get help fast for children that are behind grade level. The backward slide snowballs each year it is not addressed.
10. Balance sports with academic tutoring. Students need equal practice in academics and extracurricular activities.
11. Start preparing for tests, quizzes and the ACT early.
12. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest at night. Not getting quality sleep affects students’ ability to pay attention.
13. Never make excuses for your child not completing work.
14. Keep electronic devices on timers so that children cannot have screen time until after they have finished homework and played outside.
15. Don't overbook your child in the evening. Make sure you prioritize academics.
16. Don't assume your child understands and grasps concepts only because they follow the directions.
17. Let your child make mistakes so that they can learn from them.
18. Teach your child how to stay organized. Do a weekly backpack and folder cleanout.
19. Don’t always try to have a rational conversation. Sometimes kids need to blow off steam.
20. Contact the child’s teacher so that you can be on the same page.
21. Have your child evaluated for a developmental or behavioral problem, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
22. Invest in one-on-one tutoring with a professional who can try new strategies and learning techniques.
23. Don’t compare one child to another. Everyone learns in different ways at a different pace.
24. Create a space free from technology and distractions dedicated specifically for homework.
25. Ask questions to gauge if there are distractions happening in your student’s life that are causing the academic struggles.