Strategies for Success: Activities to Transition Confidently into the New Academic Year

Education is essential. It is the foundation for personal growth and societal progress. School therefore, plays a vital role in a child's development. Despite this significance, the reality is that not all students look forward to school with the same level of enthusiasm that they embrace the vacation. As parents/guardians, it is imperative that we set the right tone for success by adopting a calm and organised approach. We can install certain back-to-school traditions that can instill excitement in our children. In this post, Ethereal Foundation shares some strategies that parents/guardians can adopt and adapt over the final week of the vacation to help our children transition into school mode with a more optimistic mindset.

The new academic year represents a season of new beginnings whether your child is starting school for the first time, moving into a new class or entering a new school altogether. The start of the new academic year presents an opportune time to redirect the tribulations and reinforce the triumphs of the past. Let us do what we can to equip our children for success.

Girl celebrating her success

Silence

As the vacation draws to an end, it is important that parents/guardians take some time to silence their minds and ease into a state of calm. This is particularly recommended if you have been in an upbeat mode throughout the vacation by keeping an eye on the kids and taking them to various activities and events throughout the vacation of if you have been otherwise preoccupied. Breathe, smile and celebrate the fact that you did an amazing job over the past seven weeks. Set an intention that it is now time to shift focus from vacation-mode to school-mode and trust in your ability to handle what comes next. It may be a good idea to include the kids in a session of meditation or mindfulness practice.

This will help your children accept that they are moving into a different experience and appreciate the concept of appropriate conduct, making the distinction between play time and study time, and the appropriate behaviours that accompany them.

Speak

In a calm state, speak with your children about expectations and guidelines for the coming week as you set about preparing for the new school year. Instead of simply setting rules, engage your children in discussion around what is required to develop discipline and organisation in preparation for school. Their insights will be worth considering. Commend them for their valuable input and if you do not agree with any of their suggestions, explain why instead of simply shutting down the idea.

This will help your children feel that they deserve to be heard and that they have something meaningful to contribute, which encourages them to be more willing to share their feelings and ideas without fear.

Schedule

Take some time at the beginning of this week to create a schedule for:

1. pending tasks:

• medical appointments such as vaccinations, eye; ear and dental examinations

• de-worming

• grooming hair and nails

• shopping for any missing supplies

• any other tasks as necessary

  
  

2. routine behaviours:

• get in the habit of going to bed at school bedtime

• get in the habit of waking up at school wake time

• get in the habit of hygiene and breakfast routine

• consider some reading and/or study time

• any other routines that are relevant

  
  

3. meal plan (where applicable):

• a weekly or bi-weekly meal plan takes away the hassle of deciding what to prepare for lunch, snacks and drinks (including water)

• it streamlines grocery shopping

• you can prepare nutritious meals that the kids will enjoy

Supplies

Ensure that you have all necessary supplies. Consider:

• booklist

• uniform

• lunch kit and containers

• water bottle

• extra-curricular activities

• weather (raincoat/umbrella)

• special needs supplies (where applicable)

• labelling your children's books and other items

Space

If possible, set up a designated space where your children can study. This space should be free of distractions such as television and digital devices (unless these are required for study). In many homes, this space may be the dining table or may be in the kitchen or living room. This is not a bad idea since you can keep an eye on them and also be easily available to assist when required. Just be mindful that while they are studying in these 'open' spaces, you should try to minimise distractions.

Safety and Security

It is necessary to have a discussion with your children about ways to keep themselves safe and secure and inform them of any measures you put in place to ensure their safety and security. Reinforce this periodically to ensure that it becomes naturally engrained in their mode of operation. Let them also know that they should also look out for their friends and classmates. Also have conversations with your children about this during the school term to determine if any intervention is required.

Some things to consider:

• Help children to memorise their parents'/guardians' names and contact numbers even if they have a contact card on their person. This is to safeguard against possible loss of contact cards.

• Physical and emotional safety such as:

  • bullying

  • verbal abuse

  • good touch, bad touch

  • trust - who to avoid close contact with and who to seek out for help

  • physical environment - in the classroom/school, on the playground, in vehicles while commuting

  • social interactions with other children

  • emergency drills

  • parental controls on digital devices

  • other relevant measures

Set

Ahead of the first day of school, set out everything that your children need to begin their day in a positive and calm mood. This includes ensuring that their school bag is packed and their uniforms are laid out.

It is also a good idea to let them set clear goals for what they want to achieve during the coming school term. Let the review these goals regularly and keep track of their progress. Help them to refocus if they miss their target along the way.

Seek Out

At the earliest convenient time, seek out a brief meeting with your child's teacher(s). Introduce yourself and your child and let the teacher(s) know that you are invested in your child's progress and success. This lets the teacher(s) know that you are willing to partner with them in the best interest of your child. It is also a good idea to bring any special requirements such as medical interventions, allergies and other pertinent information to their attention so that they can ensure that your child is well taken care of.

Ready for Success

We hope that you and your children are now excited for the start of the new academic year. By the end of the last week of the holidays, you and your children will possess wonderful memories of the vacation and the assurance that you are well prepared to succeed during the coming school term.

The Ethereal Foundation wishes all children an enriching and successful school term.

Children eager to get to class

Disclaimer

The information presented in this article is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for information provided by The Ministry of Education and the school in which your child is enrolled which takes precedence over the information presented in this article.