Feet tapping, heart racing, hands fidgeting, and tummy all churning. The thought of the first day of school often comes with both excitement and fear. Whether it’s from K1 moving on to K2, K3 to Grade 1, or from Primary to Junior School, these grade transitions come with opportunities, expectations, and above all, the unknowns.
Parents and caregivers, you may have your fair share of mixed feelings. Whether it’s a bit of worry paired with a great deal of excitement or, depending on how your child’s last school experience was, these feelings may vary in intensity.
At SPH, we always partner with parents to provide our students with the most valuable learning experiences. So, let’s prepare them for the upcoming school year together through the 7Bs!
The 7Bs of Back-To-School Tips for Parents
1. Buckle Up for a New Routine
Coming out of what may have been a sporadic holiday schedule and into a structured routine may require multiple discussions, encouragement, reminders, and attempts. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow the kids get it, but creating a post-holiday schedule can be a saving grace for everyone.
You can utilize the fridge to post a fun new back-to-school calendar, award stickers to your younger kids, or begin a trial simulation. As simple as packing their backpacks the night before, organizing their notebooks, or getting up at 6 AM will do.
Once a routine is in place, aim for consistent implementation at least one week before school starts. This readjusting of routine and schedule can also help lower the child’s anxiety or apprehension, as it provides predictability, expectations, and security.
2. Be Present
Communicate, communicate, communicate. Before the first day of school, reassure them of who they are and how valued they are regardless of how the year will unfold. Speak words of encouragement. Remind them of the new opportunities ahead and to focus on the new and hopeful things instead of the things they dreaded in the past.
Another helpful way is to name their fears. In the safe presence of a parent or caregiver, naming what they are afraid of allows them to get their fears and worst-case scenarios out of their heads and out in the open. Narrating a story about going to school and what the new routine looks like could also be a fun way of preparing them. Don’t be shy to bust out in rhymes or tunes as you go along to it!
Read more: The Importance of Parent Involvement in Education
3. Bring Comfort
Once school has begun, continue to be their safe space through communication. Ask questions about their day, their new classmates, or their teachers. Show an interest in their school life and let them know that you will be there to support them both academically and socially.
As you know your child best, supporting your child can also look like communicating with them about their feelings and emotions. Normalize their experiences of worry or nerves by reassuring them that what they are feeling is common. Feelings are God-given, and they are to guide us, not control or overcome us.
Throughout their academic journey, be on the lookout for any signs of stress, which may be realized through behaviors such as becoming more clingy than usual, attempting to avoid going to school, or appearing restless each time it’s a school day.
4. Build Confidence
Nurturing a strong sense of self-assurance in children is essential for their academic journey and overall well-being. One effective method to cultivate confidence is by involving them in day-to-day school preparations. This approach provides opportunities for them to develop independence, take ownership, and demonstrate responsibility. Simple tasks like packing their own lunch, organizing their school bag, and ensuring their uniform are tidy and prepared are just a few examples of how you can encourage their confidence to flourish. Be creative and adapt these tasks to suit your child’s abilities and interests!
5. Build a Healthy Sleeping Schedule
Prepare your child for earlier bedtimes a week or two before the start of the new school year. Establish a consistent bedtime for your child and adhere to it each night. Getting enough sleep is crucial for children to maintain good health and achieve success in school. Insufficient sleep is associated with increased rates of absenteeism, decreased academic performance, and tardiness.
Develop a consistent bedtime routine to help your child relax and fall asleep easily. For example, a soothing pre-bedtime routine may include giving your child a bath or shower, reading to them, tucking them in, and bidding them goodnight. Also, encourage your child to deactivate electronic devices right before bedtime and aim to create a quiet and calm environment when they are trying to fall asleep.
6. Build Good Study and Homework Habits
Some kids may need some assistance in organizing their homework tasks. Timers, checklists, and parental oversight can be beneficial in addressing homework-related challenges. It’s important to provide children with a consistent and distraction-free workspace in their bedroom or another designated area of the home that is perfect for studying and doing homework.
Other than that, parents need to implement a household policy stipulating that electronic devices should remain off during study and homework sessions. They should also take measures to alleviate eye, neck, and brain fatigue during study sessions by stretching and taking brief breaks occasionally.
7. Be Open to Set Academic Goals for Your Child
Establishing academic goals with your child is an effective method of inspiring them and imbuing their learning journey with purpose. Collaborating on goal-setting can significantly aid your child’s academic progress. Initiate the process by discussing the importance of setting goals and elucidating how they provide direction and a means to track progress. Encourage your child to contemplate what they aspire to achieve, whether it entails enhancing proficiency in a specific subject or aiming for a particular grade.
Once the goals are defined, break them down into smaller, manageable steps. This approach enables your child to visualize their progress and prevents them from feeling overwhelmed. Consider implementing a visual tracker or checklist to monitor their advancement. Regularly revisit these goals, offering guidance and encouragement along the way. Celebrate both significant milestones and minor accomplishments, emphasizing the value of effort and growth over mere outcomes. Collaboratively setting academic goals empowers your child to take ownership of their educational journey and foster a growth mindset. Witness your child thrive academically as you embark on this journey of goal-setting together!
Read more: Things To Do When Your Children Have Lots of Homework To Do
In preparation for the upcoming school year, parents and caregivers are encouraged to engage in proactive strategies outlined in the 7Bs. By following these guidelines, parents can help alleviate their child’s anxiety and foster a sense of security. As families embark on this new academic year, the collaboration between parents and educational institutions, such as SPH, becomes pivotal in creating a supportive environment for students.
Now, you and your child are ready to tackle this school year, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to school!
If you want to know more about our program or how we assist your child in adjusting to the new school year, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
