Another school year has just begun. To ease the transition from summer to school routine, here are a few tips for families to help ensure a smooth start to the year:
- Talk with your child about their feelings toward school, friends, teachers, and new activities. Ask them what they look forward to, what concerns they have, and what they’re interested in learning. Reading is a great way to start a conversation. Consider asking your local librarian about books/resources on empowering your child to embrace who they are.
- Re-establish a bedtime routine and try to stick to it. Sleep deprivation is one of the biggest detriments to learning. Getting enough sleep improves mood and behavior. To ensure your child’s sleep is uninterrupted, designate a nighttime place for all family members’ phones and other devices.
- Collaborate with family members on creating a morning routine and keeping a family calendar. Everyone will feel heard and be more invested in doing their part to stay on schedule. Establishing a morning routine and setting clear expectations increases your student’s chances for success.
- Provide structure for homework and encourage your child’s efforts. As Director of the Nuestro Center’s Homework Club, we find the best time for our students to complete homework is right after school. Healthy snacks are important to keep up energy levels. At home, parents can help encourage, motivate, and assist as needed. If your schedule doesn’t allow for this, check with your school, library, or other local organizations for after school programs. If your child participates in after school activities, give them frequent positive feedback for their efforts and commitment. If your child needs a little extra support, check out these tips to support social emotional learning.
The most important thing you can do for your child is to let them know every day that they are loved and seen for exactly who they are. Routines and schedules are important, but flexibility is necessary. Communicate often as a family about what’s working and what’s not and re-evaluate and adjust where needed. Enjoy the school year because before you know it, it will be summer again!
Anacany Barrera
Former Manager of Youth Services
Family Service of Lake County, a program of Josselyn
