It’s that time of year again when it’s time to go back to school. Children experience a mix of emotions and could get anxious sometimes, whether they get butterflies or worry about going back to school. Both feelings are common and normal. Whether your little ones will be starting school for the first time this September or returning after six weeks of summer fun, there are a few things you could do to help them prepare, both practically and emotionally, for the new term.
1. Resettle their routines:
Give children a heads-up since they need time to adjust. Make bedtime earlier and put the alarm clock back on about two weeks before the start of the school year. Try to serve meals at the same times that your child will eat during the academic year.
2. Set new ground rules:
Pick a time and place for them to finish their homework. Cover tricky topics, especially: Can they watch TV once they finish their homework or not? How late can friends visit on school nights? How about chores? Setting rules and discussing them together will ensure that everyone is on the same page once school is in session.
3. Set improvement goals together:
Talk about the accomplishments of the coming year, the next goals, and some talents they would like to improve.
4. Embrace their passions:
If your child became a shining star during summer camp or a diving champion at the local pool, keep it going. Find after-school clubs or organizations that will allow them to keep doing the fun new things they tried this summer, to integrate their new summertime passions into the academic year.
5. Re-activate their learning spirit:
As summer ends, give creative "homework": Request that they take a picture of something that changes color or identify a paw print in the park. Create a set of family flashcards and quiz each other on where you visited the most this summer.
6. Organize a family trip:
Plan one last educational trip to top off months of visiting summer camps and water parks. You do not have to go far: Examine a historical site or visit a wildlife preserve to learn about various plants and trees or get your children interested in history.
7. Set up a homework area:
Create a quiet space specifically for studying. To prevent freak-outs on the first day, try hauling out the necessities such as a backpack, dictionary, calculator, art, and other supplies. Try to make it personal and fun yet free from distractions.
8. Improve their skills:
Add more factual brain-challenging activities into the everyday mix. Such as Sudoku games, crossword puzzles, and word searches. Inspire your child to sit still, focus, and complete a task with no distractions.
