By Terry Miller
Editor’s note: Terry Miller is a licensed clinical social worker and has worked at Greenfield-Central schools for 34 years. Located at Weston Elementary, Miller works with students, families, staff and the community to help students succeed. Here, Miller shares one tip per letter of the word “excitement” to help parents of young children prepare for a new school year.
Excitement! School supplies are in the stores, new clothes are being advertised, school shoes are available, information about the upcoming year is being sent from the school, and Meet Your Teacher Night is scheduled… all leading up to the start of the new school year. It’s easy to get caught up in this excitement. We all want our children to like school and do well. There are some things that parents can do to play into this excitement and help their child prepare for the coming year.
Emotions are important. Young children pick up on the emotions of the adults around them. If they see parents or guardians acting excited about returning to school, these feelings will help children look at going to school in a positive light. They will look forward to seeing their friends, meeting their teacher, eating in the cafeteria, and learning new things.
eXtra time spent reading, writing, and practicing math helps kids get back into the habit of practicing academic skills.
Clear and eager minds come from adequate sleep. Having a regular bedtime and wake up time will ensure that your child gets the recommended nine to 12 hours of sleep per night. Adequate sleep can help a child’s ability to focus and learn in the classroom, as well as help with their outlook on life. If your child’s bedtime was out of routine during the summer, work to get it back into sync. Starting a week before school begins, move bedtime up 15-20 minutes each night until you get to the time you want your child to go to bed. It will help to close the window shades so that the continuing daylight does not show through the windows. Electronic devices should be turned off one hour before bedtime.
Independent skills, such as typing, buttoning, zipping, and opening lunch items, can be practiced. These skills will all be helpful for your child to know, but if they don’t yet have them mastered, let them know that adults at school will assist them.
Take your child to buy supplies. Children get excited (as do some adults!) about buying new school supplies. Check out your school’s website to find out what school supplies are needed for the year. Take your child shopping and let them choose their supplies. Being able to choose what backpack they’d like or what color their scissors are is quite important in the eyes of a child.
If you are unable to afford supplies for your child, check with the school as many local churches, businesses, and individuals have donated supplies for families in need. Shoes and clothing resources are also available from the school social worker or counselor.
Empathize and listen to your child’s concerns. Some children are anxious about returning to school. They may be fearful of the upcoming academic work, they may feel like they don’t know the teacher, or wonder who will be in their class. Some may not want to leave the known routine of their home. Instead of saying, “You’ll be fine” or, “There is nothing to worry about,” take the time to talk about the concerns being expressed. A few conversations about the concerns can take away the anxious feelings. Know what your school’s COVID protocol will be so that you can share accurate information with your child.
Meet Your Teacher Night is a good opportunity for your child to meet his/her teacher, see other students who will be in the classroom, and walk around the building to find different locations. Many schools now hold their meetings in the evenings prior to school starting. It is a good reminder for younger students to know they don’t have to memorize everything. Their teacher will walk them to and from all of the other places they need to go in the building, help will be given as needed in the cafeteria, and there are lots of adults to ask questions of. All of this will help calm fears your child may have.
Eating a balanced diet is necessary to keep one’s brain healthy and body strong. When a child’s stomach is full, they are better able to concentrate and learn in the classroom. All four school corporations in Hancock County will be offering free breakfast and lunch this school year to all students.
Now is the time to put all this together to ensure your child’s success. Feeling good about one’s self, having a regulated brain, and having a positive mindset all will help your child succeed.
Take the time to share with your child’s teacher any situational or medical issues they should be aware of. You and the teacher are part of a team working to help your child succeed. If there is something that may impact your child’s learning, it is important for the teacher to be made aware of it. Children are frequently sensitive to even minor changes that occur in their lives and if the teacher is aware, he/she can provide some extra support. Teachers are available via phone, email, and text.
Here’s to a successful year!
