OMG!!! it’s hard to believe,but its back to school time,going back to school after an entire summer of fun or starting school for the first time causes anxiety in many young children.
Will my new teacher be mean?Will i have lots of homework?Am i going to be in the same class with my friends?
Was September a hard for you as a kid?It might not necessarily be the same for you child.
Parents can help to empower their children to be confident and in control.It is important for us to prepare our children to go back to school after summer break with the right MINDSET.
PREPARING FOR SEPARATIONS AND CHANGES
(1) Change the daily sleep patterns of your children one or two weeks before school starts:
( i) Say no to “Sleeping in or staying up late”
(ii) Ease your children into earlier bedtime and wake up times.
(iii) Avoid feeding children heavy meals close to bedtime.
(2) Talk to them about what to expect:
(i) Separation from parents and familiar faces.
(ii) New environment,new faces.
(iii) Older children moving from elementary to secondary schools.
By introducing the child to the unknown slowly and repeatedly before school begins,a child will feel more comfortable and gain trust in his/her ability to cope.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Help children prepare for their year ahead:
By taking them along to purchase school supplies.Choosing a new pencil case,shoes,schoolbags etc.Can help get children excited about getting back to school.
There’s also a perfect balance between what your child wants to wear to school and how you’d like to see him/her dress.Doe he/she have the right shoes,sports shoes etc?How is his/her stock of underwear and socks?
For kids going back or just entering a boarding school,wardrobe arrangement should be taught.Practice laying out clothes and supplies a night before so that it will be a routine by the time school starts.
DIET & NUTRITION
Good nutrition is very important for good learning.Kids who eat balanced diets get all the vitamins and minerals they need form the food they eat.Avoid junk food,fizzy drinks etc.Water should be taken as often as possible.
