Problem-solving via self-advocacy

Giving up on an assignment is rarely the best option. One of the greatest gifts you can bestow upon your child is the gift of perseverance through self-advocacy. Rather than throwing up his hands in defeat, teach your child to ask himself: “What can I do to try to get over this hurdle?” Can your child refer back to the text or his notes? Find online resources? Email the teacher directly with questions? Text a friend? Problem-solving skills are skills that last a lifetime. Rather than giving up, these skills empower students to dig deeper, persevere, and find solutions.