Tag: bristol

Top 5 tips for preparing your child for the new school year 2022/2023

Top 5 tips for preparing your child for the new school year 2022/2023

Top 5 tips for preparing your child for the new school year 2022/2023

The new academic year is not far away, with August flying by at a rate of knots, lots of parents are beginning to think about the new school year.  For many children it will be an exciting time, meeting up with friends, getting to know their new teacher, exploring their new classroom or school (if moving to secondary).  But for some children returning to school can be a nervous, anxiety inducing experience. So to help smooth the transition back to school here are 5 top tips to help you prepare your child for the new school year.

        1. Get back into a routine before September arrives.

Around a week before school starts back, start setting you and your child/children’s alarm clocks for the school day, get dressed and have breakfast as if they are going to school.  Even if they then watch TV or do whatever they normally do in the holidays afterwards.  This will help to set their body clocks, and ease the stress of early starts in September.

        2. Re-establish your homework routine

I know that sounds too early, but in the long run it will save you time and stress to sort out before the homework arrives home. Create your routine with your child; allow them to be involved in deciding what time, day and where they will complete their homework.  This gives them some responsibility for their homework and by allowing them to help make the decision; they are more likely to complete their homework at the agreed time.  If you want to know more about how to stop homework becoming a battle, then download my free guide ‘The top 5 ways to solve homework battles today!’ https://www.subscribepage.com/serenityeducationandtutoring

       3. Practice Routes if your child is travelling to school independently

This tip is more likely to apply to Secondary aged children.  If your child is travelling to school independently, practice the route with them.  Which bus, do they need to get, which bus stop do they catch it from near your home, which stop it drops them off at school. Make sure your practice any transport routes more than one, so your child is confident in getting to school on time.   Have a plan for what happens if they miss the bus home? Knowing in advance of a situation can help your child stay calm if something goes wrong.

       4. Encourage friendships

If your child is worried about friendships, help them to build strategies to approach new classmates.  How could they start a conversation or join a group.   If your school has a Facebook group/WhatsApp group arrange meetups in advance of the new school year, even if they are not in the same class as your child.  It could help your child to know there is friendly face they can seek out at break times.  Once school starts encourage your child to join in an extracurricular activity clubs/group. Some friendships can last a lifetime, bringing confidence and happiness.

        5. Communication is key

If your child is feeling nervous about the new school year, try to reassure them by focusing on the positives.  What are they looking forward to on their first day back?  Talk about who they could ask for help if they experience any problems – their teacher, their friends etc.  Remind them they can always speak to you about their thoughts and feelings. 

You could introduce your child to mindfulness, which means paying attention to what’s here in the present moment (our surroundings and also our internal world of mind and body).  It includes kindness, to ourselves and also to others.  For our children this means we can:

  • Validate their feelings and normalise them. All feelings are normal, some don’t feel very nice but they are all normal.
  • Empathise and understand that they are feeling worried. “This is a worrying time, change can be scary.”
  • Share times when we felt worried ourselves.
  • Remember a time when they were worried before but got through it.
  • Think up some positive thought statements and write them down. Your child can say these statements to themselves if they are feeling wobbly. “I am brave!”, “I am choosing to have an amazing day!” “My challenges help me to grow!”
  • Also learn some mindfulness breathing practices. This brings our mind into the present moment. The breath is a powerful tool for settling worry.
  • To learn more about mindfulness and how it can help school transitions please read our guest blog from the wonderful Carol the Founder of Chatterminds.
  • Visit chatterminds.com, or join Carol’s facebook group – Mindful living for ‘imperfect’ parents 

However your child feels about school, we hope these tips for preparing them for the new school year will enable a smooth transition.  Our biggest tip of all is communication, it continues to build that bond between you and your child, giving them the confidence to believe they can try and succeed at new experiences and subjects.

Whether your child needs support or a challenge, at Serenity we can help develop their confidence and skills.

If you feel that your child would benefit from tuition, please get in touch today to discuss your needs, requirements or to book your free half hour consultation.  You can also book your free consultation here.

Contact me on 07717845007

email: nicola.sanders_tutor@outlook.com

or visit https://www.serenity-education-and-tutoring.co.uk/contact-me/

Preventing Summer Slide

Preventing Summer Slide

Preventing Summer Slide

Summer slide picture

Welcome to the July edition of our blog, where we are looking at Preventing Summer Slide.

So, What is Summer Slide?

Summer slide is the slowing down or decline in children’s learning over the summer holidays, if they are not keeping their brains active.  Children can lose months of reading, writing and maths skills over the summer months.  This learning loss can also be seen in language and social skills particularly in younger children.

Why is this a problem?

This often means that teachers start the first part of a new academic year re-teaching or revising the previous years content.  Therefore this means that no new learning can take place until knowledge gaps are filled.  Often children who suffer from summer slide or summer learning loss will end up behind their peers.

Covid-19 and Summer Slide

The combination of summer slide and the loss of learning due to covid-19 (self-isolating, school closures, and the effects on children’s mental and physical health), this last academic year could very well exacerbate learning loss (summer slide) this summer.

How to prevent summer slide?

Summer slide is preventable just keeping children’s brains active over the summer months; ensure that children return to school ready to learn new concepts and topics.

This summer why not subscribe to my newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time) and receive your free guide “Top ten ways to help your child get a flying start this September”.  To support your child to continue their learning all summer long.

If you feel that your child would benefit from tuition, please get in touch today to discuss your needs and requirements. Contact me on 07717845007 or nicola.sanders_tutor@outlook.com.

February Half Term

February Half Term

THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN BRISTOL - FEBRUARY HALF TERM

blog-kidsinbristol

With February Half Term here once again, keeping the children entertained can be challenging, so here are few ideas of things to do this half term. 

If you would like some Earth friendly fun, then head to We Are Curious at the Harbourside, find out fun ways to make your celebrations kinder on our environment, why not make a eco-friendly decoration, or try a spot of planting in the greenhouse.  Or for those young astronomers and adventurers out there, why not explore the solar system in the UK’s most advanced planetarium or go on a Rocketship adventure with stellar the bear.

If you love lambs, your love Lambing Live back by popular demand this half term at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, you might even get to name a lamb on the day!

For those who wish to embrace the unsettled weather, why not try and become the South West Puddle Jumping Champion.  Head over to WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire.  All you need is wellies and waterproofs and a love of jumping in puddles.

If the weather is really dreadful and you want an indoor activity that will fascinate and keep the kids entertained then visit Aerospace in Patchway for load of fun activities including robotics, programing, story time and talks.

For an activity that’s fun and exhausting in equal measure try Bump Roller Disco in Millennium Square

I hope you have a lovely Half Term Break. 

Nicola

For other ideas check out https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/february-half-term-events?p=1 

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids/bristol-february-half-term-activities-2520924 

february Half Term, things to do with kids, Bristol, things to do in Bristol, half term
Welcome!

Welcome!

WELCOME

blog-welcome

Welcome, I’m really excited to have my new blog up and running. 

If you haven’t already, please join me on facebook, twitter and instagram!

I’d love to get some feedback from my audience.  So tell me…what would you like to see?

private tuition, tuition, blog, online tutor, online tuition, private tutor bristol, new blog, welcome