Tips for parents and teachers on how to help kids adjust to the new term
Psychiatrist, American Wellness Centre, Dubai
remember breakfast
Back-to-school blues are likely to hit after weeks away from the classroom. After a long three to four-week winter break, January can be quite challenging — even for the most motivated child. For teachers with a long stretch between now and the spring break, with no other major holiday interruptions, the upcoming period is when they plan to put the pedal to the metal during lesson time as they can push kids to make progress. But parents also play a key role in helping achieve this and help children overcome their anxiety.
For Parents
Your family might have adopted a “get breakfast yourself” attitude during the holidays. It’s time to change that now. Start their day right with a hearty meal, such as oatmeal or toast with peanut butter. Remember, if your child arrives at school hungry, he or she will likely be sluggish and distracted.
check in with teachers
Take a moment this month to check in with the teacher about your child’s progress if you have not done so before the holidays. It is still early enough in the year to work on behaviour or skills that are holding them back. Keep the lines of communication open.
Back to homework
As your child will have to get back into the habit of regular homework, so will you. Review and decide if what you were doing in the fall was the best schedule for fitting in homework for you and your child. The more often you can make yourself available to help your child, the better.
Plan a special activity
Give your students something to look forward to after they go back to school. You might want to think about planning a field trip, an outdoor play session, or a classroom activity that involves a lot of visual or hands-on stimulation and student interaction.
remind them of events
Make exciting announcements about school events that are coming up.
Take the time to highlight some fun, upcoming activities that are already on the calendar, like sporting events, plays, dances and contests. Encourage them to get involved.