Smart Start

     The beginning of the new school year brings excitement: lists of supplies to fill backpacks and book bags, not to mention new clothes, uniforms, shoes and haircuts. The last lazy days of summer are replaced by friends, fun teachers and favorite subjects. An electricity fills the air, no matter where you live and how old you are. Some of us still mark the year by the beginning of school, seeing it as a time of reawakening, a chance to start fresh and the opportunity to watch all the school sports.

     Your children will take their lead from you. If you are excited and involving them in the process, they will pick up on it and follow. Smiling, making the preparations special, letting them select some of the supplies themselves will ensure kids will enjoy beginning their academic endeavors, whether in a traditional school building or at home with you.

     No matter what the situation will be this fall, keep your conversations positive. Let your kids know this will be the best year yet and that they will learn new things wherever they are. Do make sure your wifi is strong enough to receive any schoolwork that teachers send your way if that is the new normal for each of us.

     One tip for the new school year is to ease into a schedule, since most children spend their summers up late and sleeping in. Gradually ease into a bedtime and wake up schedule a few weeks before the first day of school. This helps children adjust to early morning alarm clocks. Also, begin refocusing those summer eating habits from junk food on the run to healthy sit-down meals as a family whenever possible. When children spend hours in a classroom, they need all the nutrition to keep their brains in top shape. This means healthy breakfasts and family dinner nights.

     Whether learning from home or going to the classroom, your young scholars will find a homework station a great motivator. Create a corner in your home, whether a desk in the bedroom or a space at the kitchen table, where your children have paper, pencils, erasers and any other supplies within reach. Once you’ve created this setup, use it at the same time each day, so kids establish a study time without any electronic devices, unless they are required for assignments.

     Find a place for everything, so when your child runs in after school, he can drop that backpack in the basket by the door and put his lunchbox in the strainer by the sink. And get things ready the night before the school day. Prepare lunch, put homework in the backpack and set out clothes. Consider preparing a special breakfast, such as refrigerator oatmeal in a jar.  You can find lots of recipes online. A smooth morning makes for a more relaxing day.

     To ease first day jitters, plan to meet with teachers and school staff before the first day. You can make an appointment with the principal, teacher and any support staff your child might come in contact with on a daily basis. Putting a face to name can go a long way for you and your child. On the same note, take a tour of the building to help your child get the lay of the land before the first bell rings. Some schools offer organized tours.

     As a parent, you have lots of sources for learning about the curriculum that will be used in your child’s classroom. An appointment with the teacher or principal is a good first step for collecting information. The state department of education will also have curriculum information on its website.   

     And get involved! If time allows, volunteer to help in the classroom, plan a class party or work in the lunchroom one day a week. This will give you a chance to observe your child in the school environment. If you are unable to volunteer, make sure to talk to your child after school daily about the events of the day. Keeping lines of communication open with the teacher also helps.

     If you have older students, you may need to assist them with organization. Create an organization system that makes it easier for them to track assignments and keep track of papers. Give the system a check-up once a week to ensure clutter doesn’t begin to build up. Clean out backpacks weekly to catch stray permission slips and homework assignments before they fall through the cracks.

     Students need to explore study methods and practices that work for them, and then employ those practices throughout the year. The most important fact to drive home is that daily study is more effective than last-minute cramming. Implement this strategy at any age. For your first grader, start that reading assignment as soon as she receives it, then it will be a fun activity instead of stressful. College students who know how to study will be much better at retaining information and keeping up.

     School days may not look the same as they once did, but if you put a little positive energy into this time of year, it will be memorable and adventurous!

An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.

Sources: PublicSchoolReview.com, PBSParents.com, Scholastic.com