How to Prepare Your Child for the Upcoming School Year
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a major impact on schools and educational institutions, so much so that most parents in the US remain uncertain regarding what school will be like for their kids this fall. Schools have been closed and classes have been moved online in an effort to contain the spread of the disease, and students across the country are trying to adapt to ‘the new normal’ as online education takes the driver’s seat in these unprecedented times.
Kids who are starting out in a new school
and those who transition from kindergarten to 1st grade have to
adjust to a new life, but kids who move to the next grade in the same school
also have adjustments to cope with, be it in the form of new teachers or advanced
academic demands.
If you have a school kid and are unclear as
to how he/she will stay on top of their studies this fall, we’ve penned down
some tips just for you!
1. Create a plan and communicate it with your kid
It is important to converse with your kid
and learn about their hopes, goals, and fears about the upcoming school year.
Reflecting on these points will help you understand what to expect in the
coming months. Addressing their immediate future can help stimulate them to
focus their mental energy on the upcoming academic year. You can also share
your own experiences and memories from your school days to help them feel more confident
about their future.
2. Increase positivity
Since school closures mean that your child
will likely start the new school year remotely, it is crucial for them to be
positive about it. You can start by turning the whole ‘back to school’ process
into a festive occasion. Set aside a whole day to procure new supplies such as
books, stationery and other essentials to create an air of enthusiasm. You can
also throw in a movie or a special meal to help them feel more positive about
starting the new school year.
3. Utilize stress-relief techniques
Kids tend to stress out before
anxiety-producing events such as tests and exams. Before the school year
starts, remind your kid that there will be times when they may be stressed.
Tell them that there are plenty of stress-reduction techniques and teach them
how to deal with such events. An easy technique is taking deep breaths for a
few minutes, or stiffening your limbs for a few seconds before releasing them
to their normal state. If they are anxious about starting the new school year,
practice these stress-relief techniques with them and ridding them of the
jitters will be easier.
4. Set a homework routine
Since classes will likely be held online,
your kid will have a lot of free time after they are done with their online
learning sessions. Establishing a schedule for their daily activities can make
it significantly easy for your kid to get accustomed to the new school year.
Make sure you set a time for their homework too, and ensure that they remain
focussed on their studies just as they did when they went to school.
5. Supplement learning with an online learning course
If you are wary of a certain subject or if
your kid needs additional help with certain topics and concepts, you can
arrange for an online
learning course to improve their proficiency and their academic confidence.
An interactive online learning course will not only supplement their school
learning, but will also ensure that they stay on top of their studies and are
ready to deal with the topics and concepts they found hard at school.
While some kids love to go to school with a
sense of joyful anticipation, many other dread it. Regardless of the attitude
your child carries toward school, following the aforementioned steps can go a
long way towards helping them lose the anxiety and prepare them for the
upcoming school year.
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