Preparing for the New School Year

As we prepare for the new school year I would like to share the following article:

Top Tips for Back to School

Start your routines again as soon as you can.
Getting back to school-day bedtimes is a good place to start. Decide on a school-day routine and stick to it. Getting enough sleep is important for teenagers and although they want more freedom as they get older, they still need boundaries and routines.

Try to prepare in advance. 

Then you won’t be in a panic assembling books and gear at the last minute and your children will be equipped for their school day. Arriving ready for learning is a barrier to learning at all levels.

Be prepared for back-to-school blues. 

Changing from the relaxed and lazy days of summer is hard on all the family but if your child seems overly worried or stressed, find out what is wrong and talk to the school guidance counselor or dean so that the school can help.

Talk about change. 

Whether it is a new school, or a change in your family’s circumstances, make time to talk about any fears or worries. Sort out the bus routes and encourage your child to use the cycle lanes to keep out of the areas of high traffic flow. Your child may be worried about losing friends who are going to a different school or about making new friends. Talk about ways children can gradually make new friends. "you have to be a friend to make a friend"  " take your time and resist trying too hard or being the the class clown in order to gain friends"

Tell your child you are excited for them and the year ahead. 

If your child is about to start an important year such as the first year at secondary school, they may need reassurance. Be enthusiastic and positive about the year ahead.

Address any problems left over from last term. 

If your child has experienced bullying or has had problems at school, discuss what they want to happen this year and how they can achieve their goals. Talk to the dean if issues emerge.

Be prepared to give them a bit of leeway for the first week. 

School can be a long day for teens and when they are out of practice it can be exhausting. Earlier bedtimes, limits around computer / phone use and a regular routine are helpful.

Celebrate the first week back. 

Make an opportunity to get feedback around the diner table about the first week. Celebrate, encourage and reward the positives and keep communications open and talk to the dean if issues or concerns develop.

Acknowledgement: Times UK