Back To School: A Teacher's Advice For Parents
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Loading... - James Ameyaw
- 27 Sep 2022
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With the summer holidays coming to an end and adverts for ‘back to school’ sales an ever-constant reminder that your little ones are starting a new year at school, we sat down with a teacher to get her advice for parents on how best to prepare your little ones for their return to school. Returning to school after the summer holidays can be scary for kids and anxiety-inducing for parents, but there are several things we can do to prepare our kids as best as possible. For kids to get the best out of their school year, both in terms of what they learn and the experiences they have, it’s important for them to start off right so they can finish well.
What are the main ways I can help get my kid ready for going back to school
During the summer holiday, kids can really forget a lot of what they have learnt from the previous year and will not have practiced some of their social and learning skills they have developed steadily in class. This is normal, but it’s also why starting back at school can be difficult for kids because they don’t feel ready. Parents should try to go over some of what the children have learnt in the last year—I don’t mean a review, but something light, easy, and enjoyable you can do with your kid. You can reintroduce them to reading, or read to them, go through their old copybooks and ask them simple questions about what they learnt. This isn’t to test them and don’t worry if they seem to struggle or have forgotten a lot. The point is to steadily and slowly refamiliarise them with what they have learnt and learning skills, so it isn’t a big shock for them when they go back to school. If they feel comfortable and familiar from the get-go with what the teacher will cover them in the first few weeks as a review, they are at a far better standing to start the year off well.
Another way to support your child in getting ready to going back to school has nothing to do with school itself or learning in general—I’m talking about re-establishing a schedule. Getting up and ready for school on time can be challenged for kids and parents alike, so it’s important to try and get used to the early mornings before your kid starts back at school. To do this, you have of course also got to get them used to the idea of going to bed early, which is of course easier said than done. It’s also important to get them used to the idea of tasks again, which they will of course have to do in class and as homework. This can be a fun and bonding activity you do with your kid if you do it creativity, and it’s really important in getting your kid mentally ready for school again.
And for older kids, much of the same applies, but it’s also worth sitting down with your kid and talking about the past year and the one coming to give him or her some perspective. It’s definitely worth trying to get them to think about what they liked about last year and what they didn’t like, and then lead them on to talk about what they want to be different this year and for them to make some goals, however big or small. At the age when they can think about this stuff, getting them to reflect upon their education and life in general is a great way to put them in the driving seat and make the necessary changes for them to lead a happier life and get a better education. Read More...
