Help the back-to-school transition
Back-to-School Transitions: Tips for Parents
Review information: Take a look at all materials sent home as soon as it arrives. There seems to be a lot, but these packets usually have important information, including volunteer opportunities, sign ups for after-school sports and activities, and many other things.
Mark your calendar: Load up your phone or written calendar with important dates, especially back-to-school nights. This becomes increasingly important with multiple kids. Arrange for a babysitter now, if necessary.
Turn off the TV: Encourage your children to play quiet games or read as early morning activities instead of watching the TV. Your children will arrive at school better prepared to learn each morning if they have engaged in less passive activities.
Homework spot: Designate and clear a place to do homework. Older children should have the option of studying in their room or a quiet place in the house. Younger children usually need an area set aside in the family room or kitchen to facilitate adult monitoring, supervision, and encouragement. Set this spot now to establish the routine for the rest of the year.
Backpacks and lunches: Select a spot for your children to put their school belongings immediately upon getting home. Explain that emptying their backpack each evening is part of their responsibility-EVEN for younger children. They should also pack their bags and leave them in this spot before going to bed to avoid last minute scrambling the following morning.
Dinners made easy: Freeze few easy dinners, or buy some that your children will eat. It will be much easier on you if you have dinner prepared so that the meal prep won’t add to household tensions during the first months of school.
Overcoming Anxiety:
Let your children know you care.
Send personal notes in the lunch box
Model optimism
Reinforce your children’s coping abilities
Give them a few strategies to manage difficult situations on their own
Encourage your child to tell you or the teacher if the problem persists
Maintain open lines of communication with the school
Volunteer in the classroom
If possible, plan to volunteer in the class periodically throughout the year
Helps children to understand that school and family are connected
Shows child that you care about the learning experience
Back-to-School Transitions: Tips for Students
Take Care of Yourself: Make sure you are getting enough sleep and eating well, and getting exercise during the day.
Make an agenda: Use a planner, phone, or tablet to keep track of everything, including:
tests
book reports
practices/games
school events/activities
Do Not Procrastinate: This is not always easy to do, but it helps to stay on top of your assignments. Set aside a little time each day to accomplish something from all of your courses or subjects.
Know What is Expected of You: Pay attention to what is being assigned to you. Teachers want you to succeed, so most likely they will provide you all the information you need to do well. Talk to your teachers if you are unsure of an assignment-be proactive in your own education
Get Involved: Sign up for something within your school community. It helps to get to know different people who have the same interests as you. Students who are involved in sports and school activities are able to achieve higher GPAs
Learn What Type of Learner You Are:
Everyone learns differently-there are 3 different types of learning styles. Do some research to find out which type you are so you can personalize your studying habits.
Visual - learn best when they can see it, read it, or write it
Auditory - learn best when they can hear the information
Kinesthetic - need to have hands-on experience to perform their best
Goals: Write a list of goals you want to achieve for the upcoming school year. These can be as small or as large as you like. Some good ones are "No missing work," "Do my homework as soon as I get home," "Use a planner everyday." They can also be extra-curricular related as well. Writing down goals is important so you’re able to plan and realize what you need to do to prepare for, and achieve them
Parents and students: good luck with the new school year. It's always an exciting time!
