It’s September already, the period of spending time with friends, carefree adventures, going to bed late and getting up without the alarm clock has finally come to an end and it’s time to get back to school.
Whether you can’t wait till your kids are back in school or dread the more regimented days ahead, there’s one thing you can count on: Back to School is always a big transition and you need to be prepared.
Whether your child is starting is a fresh pupil who dreads leaving home or is an experienced student who can’t wait to get back to school.
You and your kids need to get prepared.
Here are some tips;
Gradually adjust your schedule:
Start easing your children into their school-year routine a couple of weeks before school starts. Let them go to bed earlier, wake up earlier and serve meals around the same time that kids will be having them when school begins.
Discuss their schedule:
Talk to your child about how much time they will spend doing homework every day and which part of the day will be reserved for homework. In addition, agree on their free time which they can spend doing things they enjoy.
Go shopping for school supplies and clothes:
To prepare for the beginning of the next school year, you need to purchase school supplies, books, clothes, shoes and other needed items. Allow your child to have a say in the choice of the items as it helps them actively participate in their education.
Introduce your child to everything that awaits them in the next grade:
Each next grade introduces new courses, content and responsibilities. Find an appropriate way to explain all that to them before the beginning of the school year, they will experience school as an adventure and will be eager to start learning new things.
For children who are first-graders;
Experts believe that the first days at school may have an impact on how a child will experience learning later in life.
The beginning of primary school is a beautiful and exciting event in the life of every first-grader. However, it is also the child’s first encounter with a completely new environment, which is always stressful.
Here’s what you can do;
Introduce your child to the school:
If your child is starting school, one of the best ways to help them get used to the new environment is to familiarize them with their new school before the school year begins. Good schools organize family days where teachers spend time with parents and their new students. This way, the child will have the opportunity to meet their future teachers. Once the school year begins, a child will have the impression that they already know the teacher, because they have heard so much about or seen him/her.
If your child gets teary when you say goodbye, reassure her/him that she will be fine and that you can’t wait to see her/him at the end of the day. Use the goodbye routine you’ve practised, and then hand her/him off to her teacher. Don’t leave her/him adrift without a new attachment person, but once you’ve put her/him in good hands, don’t worry. Experienced teachers know about first-day jitters and are used to bonding with their charges. Her/his tears won’t last long. If your child continues to have a hard time separating, be sure to speak with the teacher. Maybe she/he can give her/him a special job every morning, or facilitate a friendship with another child who has similar interests.
Do you have any question or comment? Do share with us in the comment section.