Discover top ideas for parents to prepare their child for the beginning of the school year.
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Introduction:
For many children around the country, school will begin again in a few weeks. As the time gets closer, panic can begin to set in for children and parents. Have no fear!!! Help with navigating a new school year is here. These tips will help you and your child(ren) get off to a great start.
#1: Setting a Routine
Children thrive better when they have set routines. If you have not done so in the past or if you allowed the normal routines to lapse during the summer break, then now is the time to get started with putting a routine in place for your child(ren). Not only will things go smoother for everyone at home, but it helps for a smoother transition once they return/start school where routine is the norm.
Click below for some ideas on how and what type of routines to set.
#2 Getting Organized
Organization is key to helping students feel in control of themself and their space. One reason many children struggle is because they have a hard time settling themself because they do not know where their supplies are, where they are going to study or even when they are going to study.
Click below for some ideas on getting organized.
#3: Preliminary Research:
Begin reviewing your child(ren)’s school websites for back to school information especially if this is the first time your child will attend that school. Even if your child went to the school the previous year, school and district administrators tend to change processes, procedures, and rules over the summer.
Click below for some ideas on what type of preliminary research to conduct about the school.
#4: Mental & Cognitive Practice
When people play sports or play an instrument, they must practice, practice, and practice before the big event. Practicing before returning to school is no different. A few weeks before school begins, start having your child(ren) practice skills they either learned the previous year or will begin to learn this upcoming year.
Devote 60 minutes (1 hour) per day for your child to “practice” on the 4 core subjects (15 minutes/subject): English, math, science, and social studies.
- You can break up the 60 minutes. For instance, you can spend 30 minutes during the morning time on 2 of the subjects then spend 30 minutes in the late afternoon on the other 2 subjects.
If your child(ren) struggled with their schoolwork last year, now is the time to sign them up for tutoring. Click here for TutorsProof.com.
- TutorsProof offers tutorial services with the core subjects to students in K – 12 who need help with learning the objectives for their classes, homework help, study skills, and test prep.
If your child(ren) struggled with their mental health last year, now is the time to find them mental health services.
- Some school districts offer counseling and social work services for the students and parents/guardians who attend that district.
- There are other services that are offered through the parent/guardian’s insurance and other programs
Click below for some additional information on mental health services.
#5: Self-Reflection & Goals
The summer time is not only an opportunity for children to relax and have fun, but it is a time for them to grow as individuals. They engage in new interests (see my blog on Top 5 Interactive Educational Ideas for Kids & Teens to Do This Summer) and learn more about who they are and what drives them. Before your child(ren) return to school, have them take some time to think about what was positive and negative from the previous school year. Allow them time to think about who they are as an individual and what changes, if any, they want to make. This is also the time for you as a parent/guardian to sit down with them and discuss what goals and expectations you have for them this school year.
Click below for links to the All About Me Series workbooks for ages 3 – 18.
Me, Myself, and I Journal – Ages 3 – 5
My Journal About Me – Ages 5 – 7
The Best Parts About Me Journal – Ages 8 – 10
Who Am I? I Am Who I Am Journal – Ages 11 – 13
Yes, I Am Somebody! Journal – Ages 14 – 18
Conclusion:
If this is the first time your child will enter the traditional school setting, then you may be experiencing some anxiety, but if you follow the advice listed here, this will help you to hit the ground running. For the more seasoned parents, this advice will help you to hone the techniques you have used in the past while introducing some new ones to make your process smoother.
Since you do have a few weeks left before school officially begins, check out my blog, Top 5 Interactive Educational Ideas for Kids & Teens to Do This Summer.
