It’s that time of year again! Summer holidays are drawing to a close and it is back to school next week. Here are a few tips and strategies to help you stay prepared for the first day of term and to keep you organised throughout the school year.
Return to a Routine
The lazy, unstructured days of summer are drawing to a close! At least one week before you go back to school, return to the wake-up time, bedtime, and meal times you normally follow during the school year in order to ease your child back into the term-time routine. Be prepared in the kitchen by stockpiling quick, healthy snack and dinner recipes.
Create a homework station
If a task is simple to do, it’s more fun to do. Homework is no different. Decide on the best spot in your home to set up “Homework HQ.” Take into consideration how involved you need to be with your child’s homework as well as your child’s learning style. Does your child focus better with people around or when they are alone? Is your child better suited to sit at a table in the kitchen / bedroom or instead curled up on the couch with a lap desk?
Calendar Planning
Have a look at your calendar now and note down important events / dates such as teacher meetings, Parent Association meetings and sports fixtures that will occur when you go back to school.
Stock up on supplies
Make a list of everything your child will need for the coming year. Key items include pencils, pencil case, fountain pen, pencil sharpener, 2-3 ballpoint pens with black or blue ink, 3-4 rubbers, ink eraser, lined paper, ruler, compass, folders, protractor, calculator, flash cards (for note taking and revision).
Identifying targets for the year ahead
Be specific but realistic (for example more fluency in reading or improving multiplication and division). Sit down with your child and discuss the things he / she would like to achieve this year. Why? Because it puts your child in charge of how he / she spends his / her time (with your help, of course). This way, your child is not just following the teacher’s plan for the year, but they also making their own one as well.
Make a homework routine
Create a homework routine to help you and your child stay on top of everything. Pick a time that works well for your child’s energy levels and fits with your other after school obligations: and then dig into those backpacks and get going!