Empowering Your Child for Success: Expert Tips for the New School Year
As the new academic year approaches, it’s astonishing to think that we’re nearing the end of the summer, even though the sunny days seemed to have been scarce. In the blink of an eye, September will be upon us. Prompting parents to focus on preparations for the new term that lies ahead. 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). It’s important to recognise that for some children returning to school can evoke feelings of nervousness and anxiety. To ensure a seamless transition, we’ve compiled a list of five invaluable tips. We hope these insights will empower you in preparing your child for the new school year in the best possible way.
1. Get back into a routine before September arrives.
Around a week before school starts back, gradually reintroduce the school routine. Start setting you and your child/children’s alarm clocks to match the school day. Begin the day by getting dressed and having breakfast, mimicking the school routine. 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
While it might seem too early, establishing your homework routine beforehand can in the save you time and stress in the long run. 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 would like more strategies to prevent homework conflicts, then, 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 advice is particularly relevant for Secondary aged children who are commuting on their own. If your child is travelling to school independently, practice the route with them. Familiarise them with the specific bus they need to take, which bus stop do they catch it from near your home, which stop it drops them off at school. Make sure you practice any transport routes more than once, so your child is confident in getting to school on time. Additionally, create a contingency plan for scenarios like 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 feeing nervous or anxious about the new school year ahead, 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.
Consider introducing your child to mindfulness, a practice that involves attentiveness 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. This is beneficial for children as 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. Blog link
- Visit chatterminds.com, or join Carol’s facebook group – Mindful living for ‘imperfect’ parents please join https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindfullivingforparents
However your child feels about the return to school, we hope these tips for preparing them for the new school year will enable a smooth transition. Perhaps our most pivotal advice we offer centres around communication, a continual process that builds 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, we at Serenity can help develop their confidence and skills.
If you feel that your child would benefit from bespoke tuition, we encourage you to reach out today. Contact us to discuss your specific needs, requirements or to schedule your no obligation complimentary half hour consultation.
Contact me on 07717845007, email nicola.sanders_tutor@outlook.com
Or visit https://www.serenity-education-and-tutoring.co.uk/contact-me/