Mastering the Second Semester: Ways to Keep Your Child Focused

As students kick off the second half of the school year, this is a perfect time for parents to reflect on their children’s academic progress. This mid-year mark is an ideal time to reassess what’s working, identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to set the stage for success. Whether it’s focus challenges, organizational struggles or waning motivation, now is the time to reset routines and address concerns before they grow into larger issues.

Keep communication lines open

One of the most important ways you can support your child is by maintaining open and honest communication. Checking in regularly in a calm, nonjudgmental way can reveal valuable insights into how your child is feeling about school. Rather than asking a generic question (such as “How’s school going?”), try something more specific such as, “What’s been the most interesting thing you’ve learned lately?” or “What’s been the hardest part of your week?” These conversation openers encourage your child to share their experiences and help you better understand their challenges. In addition, sharing your own struggles and successes, whether from work or school, can also show your child that setbacks are a natural part of learning and growth.

Create a supportive routine

Homework routines are another cornerstone of academic success, but they can sometimes feel like a battle. Collaborating with your child to create a consistent routine can make a big difference. Talk with them about what they need to feel prepared and focused, whether it’s the right supplies or a specific time and place for studying. A quiet, distraction-free workspace stocked with essentials can help your child stay on task. Encourage them to tackle the most difficult assignments first and use techniques such as the “25-5 rule,” which involves 25 minutes of focused work followed by a five-minute break. This keeps productivity high while preventing burnout. If homework remains a persistent struggle, it may be worth exploring cognitive brain training programs, such as those offered at LearningRx Irvine, that target critical skills such as memory and attention to help students succeed long-term.

Executive function skills — time management, organization and problem-solving — play a critical role in academic achievement. These skills act as the “managers” of the brain, helping students juggle assignments, stay organized, and complete tasks efficiently. Parents can support these skills by introducing tools like planners, visual schedules or timers. For example, breaking larger projects into smaller, manageable steps with clear deadlines can help children feel less overwhelmed.

Develop a growth mindset

Building a growth mindset is another powerful way to help your child succeed. Focusing on effort rather than outcomes reinforces the idea that hard work leads to improvement. Celebrating small wins, such as completing an assignment or staying focused during study time, builds confidence and motivation. When setbacks occur, use them as teaching moments. Discuss what went well, what could be improved, and how to approach similar challenges in the future. This helps your child see obstacles as opportunities to learn rather than failures to avoid.

Despite a parent’s best efforts, some children may continue to struggle academically. In these cases, it’s important to consider whether underlying cognitive skill gaps may be the root cause. Foundational skills like attention, memory and reasoning are essential not only for academics but also for overall emotional and social well-being. Cognitive skills assessments can identify these gaps, and targeted brain training programs can help address them. 

January is an excellent opportunity to reset routines, reassess goals and implement strategies that can make a big difference in your child’s academic journey. By taking proactive steps now, you can help your children regain focus, build confidence and feel prepared for the second half of the school year. This is a perfect opportunity to start making life-changing improvements that will set your child up for future success.

Leanne DiSanto is owner and managing director of LearningRx Irvine, which is dedicated to helping students unlock their full potential through brain training programs tailored to their unique needs. To support families during this critical time, mention L.A. Parent when you call to book a cognitive skills assessment before the end of the year and get 50% off the test. For more information about programs or to schedule an assessment, visit learningrx.com/costa-mesa-irvine/.