|
|
Proactive
Steps Prepare Parents and Students for
Back to School |
Going back to school can cause many emotions
including anticipation, happiness, apprehension and exhaustion.
But it's not just children who feel the stress and excitement of
a new school year, parents do as well. With a little planning,
the transition can go smoothly for the entire family.
Visit School
Many schools allow you to visit the classroom on the day of
registration. This is the perfect opportunity for parents and
students to orientate themselves to their new surroundings. For
younger students, they can see their new classroom and meet the
teacher. Older students can set up their locker and practice
their classroom schedule. This will help ease the stress of the
first day because they will know what to expect.
Get Supplies
Complete shopping at least a week prior to the start of school.
Use the school's list of necessary supplies to guide you with
your purchases and make sure you choose items appropriate for
each age group. A trend in school supplies is they are becoming
smaller, making them easier for transport and suitable for
smaller hands. For example, the BIC Mini Mechanical Pencils are
sized for smaller hands, have a comfortable grip to encourage
better penmanship and come in fun colors. Remember to choose
pencils with number two leads which are needed for standardized
tests.
Mark It
Younger students will need all supplies labeled, including lunch
boxes and clothing such as jackets and hats. Use a permanent
marker that is easy to read, with a fine tip for limited
bleeding. The BIC Mark-It Retractable Permanent Marker helps
parents stay organized and is great for kids who will be working
on school projects during the upcoming school year.
Alter Routines
Don't wait until the last minute to change your daily routine,
start phasing into your new schedule several weeks prior. What
time students go to bed and wake up can drastically change once
school is in session, so start moving bedtimes up and don't
sleep in too late. Also consider changing the times that your
child eats breakfasts, lunches and dinners to be more in
accordance with their school routine.
Talk It Out
Talk to your kids about how they feel about the
upcoming school year. Some might be excited as the first day
approaches, and others might have worries that they are keeping
to themselves. Talk about new teachers, riding on the school
bus, school subjects, activities and friends. Remind them that
you are there to listen to all of their concerns and want to
help when you can. Remember, starting school can be a stressful
time, and some of the small things that adults dismiss could be
huge concerns for kids.
Family Time
Finish summer with a bang by having a family party. Within a
week before school begins, plan a day or evening that your
family will spend time doing some of their favorite activities.
Maybe make their favorite summer dinner, and take turns
discussing favorite summer memories, and look at photos. This is
a nice way to add closure to summer while remembering all the
fun things that happened.
These tips will help your family enjoy the last days of
summer vacation and prepare for back to school one step at a
time. When the first day arrives keep a calm and positive
attitude. Prepare a family meal and sit down to discuss all the
things that happened on the first day. Continue to stay involved
to ensure a great school year.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Article Source: WAHM
Choices |
