Schools
Patch Picks: Back to School Groove
Tips to make the back-to-school transition easier after a summer away from the classroom.
This week marks the start of the 2011-2012 school year for many students. Whether your child is just starting off, is in the graduating class, or somewhere in-between, the dreaded day of homework and alarm clocks is here again.
Getting back into the swing of school can be difficult if you are not in the classroom frame of mind. Here are some suggestions to help get your kids back into "school mode" because ready or not... it's here.
Preparation
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It is very important for children to be prepared for school day each day. Sometimes that means implementing a routine. Homework should be high on the list as a crucial part of the night, not something to do last minute.
To make the morning rush easier, make sure your child has their clothes picked out the night before school. This will cut down wasted time debating what to wear every morning.
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Another suggestion is to make sure everything is in order and the backpack is ready to go. For adolescents, think ahead. If your child has a project that is due at the end of the month encourage them to start it sooner than later. Older students tend to have more responsibilities too. Know ahead of time if your teacher will be emailing you assignments throughout the year.
Bed Time
After a summer of lax curfews, it is not easy getting your child back into the routine of early bedtimes and waking up to alarm clocks. Many kids may have to sacrifice late night video gaming and internet browsing for a full nights rest. By setting the precedence now you will hopefully avoid grouchy kids and obstacles later in the year.
Shopping
Take your child’s backpack for instance; inside they should have a lunch, books and supplies ready to go every morning. Figuratively you want to start the year off on the "right foot" with the right "things" inside.
By providing your child with the supplies requested by the teachers it will give them the resources to succeed. If there are classroom items or staples they are missing in their wardrobe pick them up at a store so they can start off the year feeling good. Check online and in the papers because many stores are still running deals and discounts.
Calendar
Make sure to jot down important dates. Young children often thrive on routines and function well with a schedule. A calendar is a safe place to list special dates, events, tests and activities for your child so they can follow along and be organized.
Limits
During this time of year it is inevitable that some children will put up a fight with their parents over following a schedule. Let your child know what is expected of them by developing a daily routine. During the school week, activities that are unrelated to school should have limits. This may include limiting television time and video game playing too all to help your child stay focused.
Check back next week for more Patch Picks!