Get Ready for New School Term

New school term approaches as the excitement of the holidays dies down, children become apprehensive. From getting the sleeping schedules back on track to ensuring that your child has all of the school supplies they need, to ensure that your child is prepared to have a successful year, all of it can cause some stress. To make this process a little easier, we have created a top ten to-do list. The list will help you prepare your kid for a successful new school term. [wp_ad_camp_1]

Make School Preparation Positive 

If you are planning on getting your child some new school clothes or supplies for the term, work in a fun event to help the back to school shopping feel less like a chore and more of something to look forward to having. Such an event will help associate positive feelings with going back to school. A few ways of doing this is taking your child to their favourite restaurant, taking them to a movie, or bringing friends along.

Hash Out a Homework Routine

When it comes to homework, find a suitable place in the home that is free from distractions and designate it the homework location. Then set a time for doing homework, whether that be after they come home from school or in the evenings after dinner.

Reintroducing the Sleep Schedule

One of the worst things about back to school routines is those stressful school mornings when your child doesn’t want to get up out of bed. Introduce a regular sleep schedule a week in advance to help prepare your child for those early mornings for the new school term. If it helps, also include a morning time routine that your child can do to help you keep the morning running smoothly.

Whittle Down the Video Games and TV Time 

Consider steadily declining how much time your child gets with video games and television in the few weeks before the new school term. Most children tend to get shocked when they go from constant entertainment to having to sit and learn in a chair for six hours a day. To make this learning process more manageable, turn off the electronics and encourage your child to read and play quietly 1-2 weeks before the new term.

Re-establish School Routines 

With about a week to go, have your child begin waking up at the same time every day and have them eat their meals around the same time they would at school in preparation for the new school term. You can take this a step further and have your child do some outside activities around the same time they would leave and come home from school.

Consider Doing Revision with them 

As your kids are going into a new school term, consider sitting down with them and doing some revision problems on school subjects or topics that they have struggled with previously. Address the gaps that they have in their education so that they are more primed for success in the new term.

Talk to Your Child About the New School Term  

Although this will be easier with children who are excited about school, make sure to talk to your child in the two weeks leading up to the new term about what they are excited about with regards to school. The talk could be about their favourite teacher, their friends, or the new school supplies they can’t wait to get. According to Julie Mason, “It’s important to have an open and honest conversation with your child about what to expect this upcoming school year”. 

Identify If Your Child Has Any Concerns

Find out if your child has any concerns or worries about the upcoming term. The problems could be anything from making new friends to doing well in a new subject to dealing with bullies. Use the brainstorming technique to help them come up with ideas that can help them positively address the issue. Remember, it’s not about fixing the problem necessarily but about helping your child use problem-solving skills.

Provide a Little Encouragement 

Regardless of how they performed in the previous terms, boost them up by letting them know that the slate has been wiped clean and that they now have the opportunity to learn new things and do the best that they can. The idea here is to encourage positivity and self-confidence in their abilities.

Find Out What Naturally Lights Them Up 

One way to encourage and motivate your child is to find out what makes them naturally happy. If this is extracurricular activities, have them choose a few that they can do, or is it going to the library on weekends, work that into the schedule. When your child has a passion, and you can provide opportunities for it, your child will be more motivated to work hard.

All these tips will go a long way in preparing your kid(s) for the task ahead and put them in good shape for emerging with a good grade at the end of the terms examination.