As much as we hate to
think that the holidays have come to an end, it is time to accept that the new school
year is beginning. Starting off on the right foot can make all the difference.
Whether your children
are going to high school or starting in a new school for the first time, you
need to pay careful attention to the following things:
1. Stay present and don’t
have over-the-top expectations. Do your best to focus on right now and let go
of any past experiences or difficulties in school. Your child is a lot
different than they were last year, so talk and plan with who they are right
now.
2. Maintain a strong
connection. Especially in the beginning of the year, its best to keep quiet
tabs on what is happening. A change in a child’s behaviour may signal that something
is going on in school. Many kids don’t talk; they simply show it in their
behaviour.
3. Don’t bombard them
with questions. At the end of a long, hard day the last thing your child wants
to do is discuss in detail how and what happened. They would rather relax and
call the shots for a while. It is best to be patient and talk to them later.
4. Make contact with
your child’s teacher. It is always good to set up a time with your child’s
teacher about a month into the year, especially if it is a new school.
5. Set up a homework
schedule and school day rules and expectations. Make sure you do all this with
your child. Sit down and talk about what time and place your child wants to
choose for homework and acknowledge when you will and won’t be available for
help. Whatever you come up with must be agreed upon by both of you!
6. Keep routines
consistent. The younger the child, the more important consistency is. Make sure
all TV, games, etc are done an hour before going to sleep, as it stimulates
the brain and can cause stress.
7. Set goals. Ask your
child how they would like to end the new school year. What would they hope to
accomplish, and what grades would they like to have.
What we want most is
for our children, whether they be 8 years old or 18, is for their school experience to
be great and at the same time a truly fun and enjoyable time.
The Assisted Learning Centre is an excellent, highly recommended tutor centre in the coastal town of Fish Hoek. Enroll today and let us provide only the best teachers and learning resources for your children!
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