Preparing Your Child for the New School Year

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With the start of the school year just around the corner, back-to-school season has begun: parents purchasing school supplies, ordering textbooks, and students finishing up their summer reading assignment.

To have a successful start to the school year, it is crucial for parents to take the correct steps when preparing your child for the new school year.

 

It is more detrimental than beneficial to immediately having your child go to bed early when they have been going to bed at a later hour all summer. Slowly start enforcing an earlier bedtime for your students with the few weeks prior to the start of the new school year. This will allow your child to slowly ease back into falling asleep and waking up early to mirror that of their academic schedule. It is also helpful to create a structure for your child’s mornings as well. By going through a morning regimen and assigning your child tasks to complete throughout the day, this will allow your child to get back into the mindset needed for the school year.

 

 

Although it may be easier to purchase your child’s school supplies on your own, having your child come along with you may excite them for the start of classes. It also gives your child a sense of responsibility and individuality by picking out specifically what color notebook, the design of their folders, and the type of backpack they will be using for school. Most school districts will send out a supply list that your child can check off as you buy the items necessary for their first day of school.

 

 

It is essential for your child to implement healthy eating habits during the school year. As many have heard, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” which is true based on extensive research. Students who consume a healthy breakfast prior to the start of their school day will have better concentration in class higher, energy levels, improved cognition, and sharper problem-solving skills. This same concept should also be reflected in one’s lunch, with a balanced meal filled with protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats will sustain students throughout their school day. Studies from the CDC show that students who eat a lunch filled with vitamins and nutrients will have higher standardized test scores, less absences, increased participation in class, and better memory. Nutrient-rich foods may not seem appealing to children when there are other sugary options readily available, so It is also a great idea to ask your child what snacks or foods they would like in their lunches. Having your child come along with you when purchasing foods, they will enjoy will give them another reason to look forward to school and encourage healthy eating.

 

Most students take the summer to relax and unwind from the stresses of the school year. Yet with, students are bound to forget some of the material they learned in the previous school year. Thus, it is beneficial to have your child recall some of the information they learned in the last year while also introducing new concepts that might be taught in the new school year. While it may be excessive to have your child study for prolonged periods of time during summer break, it is helpful for a light refresher and preparing for the new content yet to come.

 

Orientation days are typically offered prior to the start of the new school year. Take advantage of this opportunity to have your child know where their classroom is in addition to other essentials like the bathroom, playground, and cafeteria. Even if your child has already attended this school, it is a good idea to ensure their route to classes is well understood to reduce possible anxiety regarding their first day of school.

For younger children, being away from their parents for most of the day is the hardest part of going to school. If your child struggles with separation, prepare them ahead of time. If possible, leave them with a friend or family member for short periods of time to help get them accustomed to being away from their parents. Remember, your child will recognize your attitude and mirror it. If you are on-edge about the impending school year, they will be more agitated. If you are enthusiastic and relaxed, your child will also adopt this mindset.

If you sense your child is struggling with a particular subject, don’t let that persist in school. Their problems will only accumulate, making the school year even more difficult. Instead, address their problems early on by working with a tutor early.

At the Assyrian Cultural Foundation, our tutors provide support and help in each of our student’s academics. We focus on their areas of weakness and present these topics in different ways to further their understanding. Here we provide students with the tools and resources required for continued success in school.

If you think your child may benefit from tutoring classes, call our tutoring program coordinator, Stella Sweiss, at 224-935-2366 or email stella.sweiss@acf-us.org.