It’s almost that time of year again. Time to set the alarm for the morning, pack lunches (look for a blog in September about lunch ideas!) and get the kids off to school. We’re here to help with some ideas, tips and tricks to make your day a little easier…and a couple of favorite back to school books as well.
When to do homework
Maybe the most important thing about studying and doing homework is getting into a routine and finding a routine that works for your child. It’s all about learning styles. For some kids, they may want to come home and get right to work on their homework to get it “out of the way”. Other kids may feel cooped up from being in school all day and want to come home from school and play outside or have a snack before starting. Still others may work best after dinner time. There is no right or wrong answer to when is the best time to do your homework, it is all up to the individual.
School Supplies
When shopping for school supplies, allow your child to pick out something special of their choice. Maybe it’s a pen in their favorite color, maybe a folder with a picture they like.
Give notice when changing activities
Have to stop playing to start homework? Give a 5 minute warning. You can have them get ready a little earlier by practicing routines. For example, a couple of days before school begins, start “getting ready for school”. Set an alarm clock, go through the morning routine (dressed and breakfast) and maybe even take a trip to the bus stop (How long does it take you to get there? What time do you have to leave the house to make it on the bus?)
Planning
It’s a new school year and there is so much going on. How do you keep track of it all? Some people use their phone, but others use wall calendars. If you are using a wall calendar, consider using a different color for each family member. Now take note of conferences, sports, appointments, and activities.
Now might also be the time to carve out when activities are going to take place. Is there a day or time the whole family will be getting together (family read time or family game night)? How many hours of screen time are you going to allow during the school week? What about get togethers with friends? You want to be careful not to overschedule your child (and yourself!) and keeping track of it all by writing it down or using a phone app will help you stay on top of it. The Cozi Family Organizer allows you to share calendars with other family members, along with grocery lists, reminders and more.
Leave it to the professionals.
This fall, we welcome back Michelle, from Successful Study Skills 4 Students for another useful webinar “7 Ways to Support Your Student's Studying, Without Losing Your Sanity”. You can register for this free webinar, which will be held on Wednesday, September 21 @ 7 PM at https://s4studyskills.secure.force.com/enroll/7ways After you enroll, you will receive a ZOOM link invite prior to the start of the webinar. In this free 30-minute highly dynamic, action-specific, and interactive webinar, parents are invited to learn a few tips, tools, and strategies to motivate, inspire, and support their student.
What you will learn:
- Why is your student unmotivated
- How do you inspire your kids to motivate themselves
- How self-esteem and anxiety impacts motivation
- The effects of power struggles
- The importance of goals and objectives, choices and consequences
- What problem-solving skills benefits an unmotivated student
Favorite back to school books:
The pigeon has to go to school by Mo Willems
The pigeon must go to school, but frets about math, learning the alphabet, heavy backpacks, and what the teacher and other birds will think of him.
We don't eat our classmates by Ryan Higgins
When the class pet bites the finger of Penelope, a tyrannosaurus rex, she finally understands why she should not eat her classmates, no matter how tasty they are.
Sesame Street What If...?: Answers to Calm First-Day-of-School Jitters
Elmo and his Sesame Street friends help ease anxiety about starting preschool and kindergarten with this picture book that straightforwardly answers children's "What if...?" questions.
If you take a mouse to school by Laura Numeroff
Follows a boy and his mouse through a busy day at school.
