Walking to School
by D. Sharon Pruitt
After a long and sweet period of relaxation and fun during the summer, it’s back to school time for most the kids in Toronto. While some are more than happy to hear the school bell ring, announcing the start of their new school year, looking forward to reunions with friends and favourite teachers that they’ve missed, others may not find returning to everyday reality so pleasant. Check out these five points that should make the changes as agreeable as possible both for you and your children.
Getting over the hurdle
1. Communicate, communicate, communicate
Don’t wait for talks with your kids until it’s too late. Ask them about their feelings and thoughts. Back-to-school anxiety is very common, and it’s up to you to find out whether the little ones worry about their grades or have troubles with schoolmates or just feel exhausted. Also, discussing problems brings you closer to each other and makes the kids feel loved.
2. Adjust their sleeping regime
Long summer days with lazy mornings and relaxed evenings are gone, and merciless early rising comes instead. Are tired and yawning children your reality? If you want to spare your kids‘ bodies a shock, it’s always best to start adjusting their sleeping regime before school actually starts. If you’ve already missed that, make sure to set up a regular bed time and keep it.
3. Create a schedule
Set your kid a schedule; it’s important to have a clear notion of a time that should be devoted to doing homework and a free time to play. Choose extracurricular activities together and discuss the optimum amount of time that your child wishes to spend at ballet or hockey practice. Well established habit can do wonders, but be careful not to make the timetable too tight.
4. Check the curriculum in advance
Try to motivate your kids by discussing all the cool stuff that they are going to learn during the next school year. Buy books, sharpen pencils and crayons, and tell them about all the interesting and fun things they are likely to experience. Maybe consider even taking them to museums or exhibitions that might raise their interest — why not spend an afternoon at the Ontario Science Centre?
5. Talk to teachers
Don’t be afraid to turn to teachers if you feel that your kid experiences any difficulties or if you have any unanswered questions yourself. After all, sometimes they spend more time with your children than you do and therefore may be able to spot any troubles and solve them in a professional manner. After all, good communication with parents is part of their job.
