September Start For Parents

Back to school time! It always makes me giggle a little when I see parents preparing for back to school. I can't say for sure, but I am almost certain that I always see a slight grin of happiness on parent's faces. I remember feeling that way when my children were little...love them dearly...two months can be a long time to entertain them.

Summer time can be so amazing with our children. If not having to work, we can be a lot more relaxed in our schedules, rules, and can just go with the flow of summer time fun.

I thought I would just put a short blog out for parents with a few ideas, suggestion and strategies for helping ease their children back into the new school year. It is difficult for any of us to go from unstructured time to fully structured time, but it is extremely so for most children. Some children can really have difficulties with this transition. You know your child best, so you can implement support if your child struggles with transitions. That said, in my opinion, all children should have some changes implemented to help ease them back into school life.

The following are a few areas to look at in helping them with this transition and to make it easier for you as parents in the long run. I suggest that you start with no less than two weeks before start of school.

• Adjusting bed time/s for children to be earlier, if they have been able to stay up later during the summer

• Start implementing the same schedule that will start in September i.e.; dinner times, bedtimes, chores, reading, bathing, waking, self- care to name a few

• Start to review (if this has not been done over the summer) academics with your child/children by playing games that require math, reading, science, printing etc.

• Switch screen time to age appropriate activities or programs. The internet has a plethora of amazing resources to help you. For example, instead of watching a movie/tv show/cartoon, choose a program/video that is about animals/nature, science social studies, environment, books/stories and so on.

Bill Nye the Science Guy

Sesame Street

Sid the Science Kid

National Geographic & National Geographic for Kids

The Netflix Academy (not affiliated with Netflix)

Common Sense Media

Super Why

The Magic School Bus

• Discuss rules that would apply to the classroom/school environment, Address not only what rules, but also, why those rules are important. Connect your own family rules to the school environment as this helps to have consistency and bridges home and school.

• Discuss or even better, role play/charades (make it a game where parents play too) what to do in certain given situations. ie; A child being left out, a child being upset/angry/frustrated/hurt/embarrassed, someone not sharing, someone saying/doing mean things, being afraid to ask/answer questions, being nervous to read out loud, making friends...again, you know your child best, so address the areas in which your child has some challenges.

• Start discussions regarding homework, routines, changes in environments (starting or returning to daycare) lunches, play dates or any other areas that will need to be addressed. Ensure that your child has input and shares their ideas. It is good to have your child write up the agreements that have been discussed and they can be kept in their rooms or in a common area where all can refer to in the future, if needed. Having pre-agreed commitments reduces problematic behaviours down the road.

• Decide and agree upon specific issues that may cause issues, have caused issues. Example. When returning home from school, shoes go IN the closet, backpack is EMPTIED with homework ON the kitchen table, lunch containers IN the dishwasher/sink, notices ON THE FRIDGE. Homework is to be completed BEFORE any screen time is given. Again, have the student, if able, to write/type these items out and have them up and visible to refer to if needed.

A suggestion. Upon starting school...and I know, some of you will struggle with this. I did. As soon as possible, allow your child/children to enter the school on their own. Allow them to be independent and responsible for hanging up their own coat, changing shoes, handing back notices and so forth. The best we can do for our children, is to teach them to do for themselves.

If you have specific areas that you would like to discuss or need support in, please contact me at msmpower007@gmail.com.

All the best for a wonderful year.

#parentingchildren #independence #routines #backtoschool #rules