Starting off on the right foot
AS the new school year rolls around, parents and children both focus on new resolutions and goals. As a parent, one of those resolutions can be to help your child get a good head start in school preparations, making it easier for her to hit the ground running and maintain her learning momentum throughout the school year.
Most children feel nervous or scared on the first day of school, especially when they are transitioning to a new school from kindergarten to primary school or primary to secondary school. There are several things that parents can do to help their child start the school year right.
Help her feel good on day one
When stepping into unfamiliar territory, it is always nice to have something familiar with you.
Let your child bring an item that is comforting to her to school, especially if she has just returned from a trip or made something as a holiday project. The item can also be a good conversation starter at school, helping her make new friends.
You can soothe your child’s back-to-school nerves by making sure she is well prepared
for school. Involving her in stocking up on school supplies and getting ready for the new year can help her calm down and even look forward to the first day of school.
Furthermore, packing a homemade lunch for her to bring to school can provide her with a sense of familiarity and comfort.
Make the unknown familiar
A new environment can be overwhelming to the senses, especially when school requires a student to keep track of various schedules, events and assignments.
Encourage your child to make notes on things she needs to remember such as class timetables, homework, project due dates and even where her teachers’ offices are in case of emergencies.
Besides that, it is important to remind her that being friendly and having good manners will help her form healthy relationships in school, be it with peers, teachers or other adults. Getting used to a new place is not so hard when strangers become familiar faces.
If it doesn’t work
Sometimes, it takes extra effort for one to like going to school. This is a common sentiment among schoolchildren, especially when they have formed preconceived notions on what school is like.
Parents can help alleviate these concerns by providing a safe space for their child to talk to them about the problems she faces in school. Children should also be encouraged to speak to their school counsellors, who may provide better guidance when it comes to school-related problems.
It is good to remind your child that she can seek help from her teachers if she is facing problems keeping up with her studies and understanding what is taught in class. This can also facilitate her attempts to interact and bond with the people around her in school.
Encourage good habits
Success comes with effort, but effort alone is not enough. One needs a solid foundation and continuous improvement to excel consistently. Below are some healthy habits that your child can adopt to build character and keep her on track throughout school:
l Getting enough sleep
l Eating breakfast before school l Forming good study habits such as completing homework on time and revising lessons independently
l Asking for help
l Trying her best
l Having fun in the process
As these practices evolve into habits, your child will be able to perform in school without it feeling like a huge effort, freeing up some of her time and energy to pursue new experiences during the school year.