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by: Ron Misener
The arrival of September and a new school year looms. For
some this is a much-anticipated event bursting with excitement and bolstered
by confidence. For others, there is apprehension and even dread. Parents
can help their children prepare for school in several ways –
while channeling their excitement or quelling some nerves.
First, parents can assist kids by creating a manageable schedule
of extracurricular activities that will allow sufficient time for homework
and studying. The out-of-school sports leagues, dance and music classes all
start taking registrations and it’s tempting to sign up for everything
the child is interested in – after all, won’t being active and
busy keep them out of trouble? There is definitely some truth to that, however,
a healthy balance must be maintained. Most students can handle no more than
two or three extra-curricular activities a week while juggling curricular
demands. Remember to schedule time for homework and home study too!
Primary students need 15 to 20 minutes a night; intermediate students need
about an hour. High school students will likely have an hour or two a night.
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Another way parents can help their children prepare for school
is to talk with them about the importance of interacting appropriately
with their teachers and how to act in class. Role playing certain
common situations might help a student learn to deal with asking for extra
help, asking permission to use the restroom or tactfully make a suggestion
or contribute to a discussion. Although teachers do not always ‘teach’
these skills directly, they may nonetheless expect students to know them and
may even draw conclusions about a student’s demeanor and skills from
the way they present themselves in such situations. Let the kids in on the
secrets of successful in-class behaviors as well. These include sitting up
and slightly forward, ‘tracking’ the teacher as s/he moves in
the classroom, nodding to indicate listening and participating by either answering
or asking questions.
Finally, parents can help students set up their study area
in the home with the proper lighting and supplies. The computer is best placed
in a shared space – off the kitchen for example so that whoever is preparing
dinner can keep an eye on internet surfing, help with keywords for searches
and generally monitor for safety. Basic supplies should include plenty of
pens and pencils, lined and unlined paper, construction/ colored paper, markers,
crayons, pencil crayons, a sharpener, corrector fluid or tape, glue, tape,
ruler, geometry set, dictionary/thesaurus (or online), and perhaps a timer.
The timer can be used to plan the homework session so that each subject gets
some time and variety maintains interest and encourages more effective use
of time-on-task.
When the first day comes let them help prepare a
healthy lunch they will actually eat and send them off with a reassuring hug.
Ask specific questions when they come home – go beyond – ‘How
was your first day’ so that you get more than a one or two word response.
Ask what they’re excited about, what is worrying them, what supplies
they might need, who their teachers are and what they remember about them.
Back to school can be a positive time for the entire family!
Other articles you may be interested in:
Number
1 Key to Good Parenting
Be
There for Your Kid
The
Four Parenting Styles
Ron Misener ~ This article courtesy of http://www.university-phoenix.com
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