Kids
BACK TO SCHOOL
Make the end-of-summer transition as smooth as possible for the whole family.
It’s always hard to say so long to the beach at the end of summer and hello to the new school year. Getting back into the swing of things can be daunting. But if parents keep a few things in mind, they can help make the summer-to-school transition a successful one.
Martha Adler, a school counselor at Sheridan School in Washington, DC, says parents can start by letting their kids know it’s OK if they’re not entirely happy about giving up their relaxing days in the sun. Who wouldn’t want an endless summer? But with homework looming, you can reduce their stress by helping children develop good weekday habits.
Routine is key, says Erika Raser, director of Student Support Services at Dwight-Englewood School in Englewood, NJ. But routine can and should differ, depending on the child.
While some students may be motivated to get homework done as soon as they walk in the door, a little downtime before hitting the books might be important for others. For many students, engaging in an after-school activity can be rejuvenating, allowing them to complete homework assignments more easily.
One way to manage work and after-school activities is to create a wall calendar for each child. Raser says this can be invaluable for keeping activities and school commitments from spiraling out of control.
Also, letting older students have a say in creating their schedules can help them see the big picture and teach them to make choices. For example, an activity may need to go, depending on that student’s homework load.
According to Peggy Donnenfeld, a clinical psychologist in New York City, working out a school year schedule can be an important learning experience for the student in terms of developing the life skills of prioritizing and budgeting time. And with nine long months until next summer, utilizing time efficiently is the best way to make the school year fly by. —Joanne Cronrath Bamberger
5 TIPS TO START THE YEAR OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT:
1.Develop a schedule that caters to both you and your children’s needs.
2. Create a workspace environment that will help maximize concentration during homework hours. This can vary depending on each student’s needs.
3. Dedicate a time of day to spend talking about things going on at school—both activities and concerns.
4. Look into after-school activities related to any subjects that your children have taken an interest in or begun to excel.
5. Start a family calendar that will help show how much time is being spent doing various things. This will either provide more time for extra activities or help focus on what needs to be cut.