As the long, lazy days of summer end, a new school year starts. Students may hope for new friendships or rekindling old friendships and great teachers. Parents may hope to see academic growth, maturity and happy children who love to learn. How can you make the transition from summer vacation to the beginning of school smoother this year?
The transition can be easier for families if you start to plan during the summer. A couple of weeks before school starts, slowly readjust your child’s bedtime, if he or she went to bed a little later over the summer. School and after-school activities are especially tiring at the beginning of the year when everyone is adjusting to a new routine. It is often hot during the first autumn sports practices and games; this can cause fatigue. Children need the proper amount of sleep to be at their best. Lack of sleep creates less than optimal conditions for learning and can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety or ADHD.
Make sure that any summer math packets and reading assignments are completed at least a week ahead of time. That last week before school starts can be hectic. Towards the end of the summer, you might play some fun math games or read a new book together to refresh your child’s skills.
Hanging a calendar where everyone can see it will keep your family organized. With everyone running in different directions to scouts, sports practices, music lessons, tutoring etc., having a calendar in a prominent place can alleviate confusion. Backpacks should be ready to go after the homework is completed. It may help to have a checklist with words or pictures depending on the child’s age of what he or she needs for the next day. Packing the backpack in the evening prevents running around in the morning looking for items and being late for school. Children can be taught to lay out their clothes for the next morning too.
Ask your children what would make the transition to new school year easier or more fun for them. You can give them some options like meeting the teacher before school starts or inviting a classmate(s) for a playdate. If there is information about your child’s curriculum on the school website, you can mention new things they may learn or activities or field trips that will take place during the year. Children tend to be less anxious if they have someone they know on the first day of school and what to expect in their new class. Usually, schools have an open house before class starts. It is a terrific opportunity to visit the classroom and meet classmates and teachers. Maybe there is time afterwards to play on the playground with their peers. Take a tour of the building if your child is new to the school.
With work and after school activities, family dinnertime could be hard to schedule. Try to have at least a couple of family dinners together a week. Instead of having the typical questions (How was your day? What did you do in school?) Everyone could tell the funniest thing that happened or the most unexpected thing that happened, or something new they learned or someone they sat with at lunch or what they are looking forward to the following day.
One night a week, usually over the weekend, there should be a family activity. It could be taking a walk or jog together, playing a family board or outside game, reading or telling a story around a firepit, baking something for a special dessert, going out for ice cream, building a structure, creating an art project, or even doing an easy science experiment. There are many other ideas. You can try different activities depending on the children’s ages and your family’s interests. Rotate who gets to choose the activity each week. That person can plan and make a list of what extra things that are needed for the activity, for example chocolate for making s’mores. The person in charge can also organize the materials for the activity. This is a wonderful way to work on executive functioning skills.
Most importantly, take time to observe your child and listen to him or her, especially at the beginning of the school year. Is your child having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? Does your child seem worried or more anxious? Is your child having trouble getting started on homework? Does your child talk about any classmates as friends? What does your child do at recess? You can tell your child about your favorite part of your day at work and then ask him or her what was the best part of their day. You can ask what was easy and what was hard or what they wished could have been different. Listen without making judgmental comments. If needed, you can problem solve together. If you have concerns, contact your child’s teacher, don’t wait for that mid- autumn conference, stay ahead of any issues. If a particular subject is difficult, your child may need a tutor to build confidence and skills. If there seems to be deeper underlying problems, an inability to focus or an inability to master grade level skills for example, you may want to get your child evaluated. Be proactive and ahead of issues to ensure your child has the building blocks for a successful school year.
The transition can be easier for families if you start to plan during the summer. A couple of weeks before school starts, slowly readjust your child’s bedtime, if he or she went to bed a little later over the summer. School and after-school activities are especially tiring at the beginning of the year when everyone is adjusting to a new routine. It is often hot during the first autumn sports practices and games; this can cause fatigue. Children need the proper amount of sleep to be at their best. Lack of sleep creates less than optimal conditions for learning and can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety or ADHD.
Make sure that any summer math packets and reading assignments are completed at least a week ahead of time. That last week before school starts can be hectic. Towards the end of the summer, you might play some fun math games or read a new book together to refresh your child’s skills.
Hanging a calendar where everyone can see it will keep your family organized. With everyone running in different directions to scouts, sports practices, music lessons, tutoring etc., having a calendar in a prominent place can alleviate confusion. Backpacks should be ready to go after the homework is completed. It may help to have a checklist with words or pictures depending on the child’s age of what he or she needs for the next day. Packing the backpack in the evening prevents running around in the morning looking for items and being late for school. Children can be taught to lay out their clothes for the next morning too.
Ask your children what would make the transition to new school year easier or more fun for them. You can give them some options like meeting the teacher before school starts or inviting a classmate(s) for a playdate. If there is information about your child’s curriculum on the school website, you can mention new things they may learn or activities or field trips that will take place during the year. Children tend to be less anxious if they have someone they know on the first day of school and what to expect in their new class. Usually, schools have an open house before class starts. It is a terrific opportunity to visit the classroom and meet classmates and teachers. Maybe there is time afterwards to play on the playground with their peers. Take a tour of the building if your child is new to the school.
With work and after school activities, family dinnertime could be hard to schedule. Try to have at least a couple of family dinners together a week. Instead of having the typical questions (How was your day? What did you do in school?) Everyone could tell the funniest thing that happened or the most unexpected thing that happened, or something new they learned or someone they sat with at lunch or what they are looking forward to the following day.
One night a week, usually over the weekend, there should be a family activity. It could be taking a walk or jog together, playing a family board or outside game, reading or telling a story around a firepit, baking something for a special dessert, going out for ice cream, building a structure, creating an art project, or even doing an easy science experiment. There are many other ideas. You can try different activities depending on the children’s ages and your family’s interests. Rotate who gets to choose the activity each week. That person can plan and make a list of what extra things that are needed for the activity, for example chocolate for making s’mores. The person in charge can also organize the materials for the activity. This is a wonderful way to work on executive functioning skills.
Most importantly, take time to observe your child and listen to him or her, especially at the beginning of the school year. Is your child having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? Does your child seem worried or more anxious? Is your child having trouble getting started on homework? Does your child talk about any classmates as friends? What does your child do at recess? You can tell your child about your favorite part of your day at work and then ask him or her what was the best part of their day. You can ask what was easy and what was hard or what they wished could have been different. Listen without making judgmental comments. If needed, you can problem solve together. If you have concerns, contact your child’s teacher, don’t wait for that mid- autumn conference, stay ahead of any issues. If a particular subject is difficult, your child may need a tutor to build confidence and skills. If there seems to be deeper underlying problems, an inability to focus or an inability to master grade level skills for example, you may want to get your child evaluated. Be proactive and ahead of issues to ensure your child has the building blocks for a successful school year.
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