By: author and educational strategist Jane Kristoffy, BA., BEd., MEd., OCT.
It’s not September, but it is “back to school.” We know we can expect things will be different when our kids transition to in-class school after a long break. With that, here’s a few strategies parents can employ for a smoother transition.
Expect Your Kids Will Be Crabby:
The first weeks of school are full of hopes, jitters, reunions, excitement and disappointments. Mixed emotions create exhaustion! (for students and parents!) You may find that child’s cranky, needing an earlier bedtime, or they’re just plain difficult to be around. This is normal.
Planning Keeps The House Running Well:
Routines at home matter now more than ever. Keep consistent mealtimes, bedtimes, bath time and free time to maintain peace and sanity in the house.
They’ll Be Hungry:
With the excitement (and stress) of being back with friends, teachers and a variety of activities, kids are burning more energy. Have lots of healthy, filling food on hand, packed in lunch bags for kids on the go.
Brace yourself
for the third week of school (give or take). Kids “hit the wall” around this time. Traditionally, when kids go back to school In September, we see flu viruses spreading, and lice. Hopefully, though, COVID-19 protocols will mitigate these health threats. You may also find it’s hard to get kids out of bed in the morning.
This may just be the longest month ever:
As a result, your kids will get tired. The rug was pulled out from under us, regarding March Break in Ontario. Although we felt relief to learn kids would be in school for a couple of months (knock on wood!), the reality is that kids have been learning and going to school in one way or another since early January.
With the break coming later now, a lot of kids will really need it. Pace yourselves.
Support your teachers:
They’ve been doing an amazing job during the pandemic, keeping our kids safe and as engaged as possible. I know, I know — your focus is your child and keeping your family sane. But remember that teachers have just finished a report card period and interview days, as well as a pivot back-to-school after a long phase of remote teaching (which I can tell you from experience is draining, and at times, frustrating).
Some teachers need more support than is available with respect to technology and remote learning. Many of them had their own kids underfoot while working full-time from home. They’re already exhausted and won’t get a break — so give them a break! Write a kind message in your child’s agenda, or send a treat to class. They’ll appreciate it, I assure you!
Finally…Hygiene, Hygiene, Hygiene:
Just like in the September back-to-school season, I remind parents to get their kids to wash their hands often, get to bed early, stick to those routines, pace themselves and eat well.
Have fun and stay healthy!
P.S. My tips blend well with many suggestions I share in my book, entitled Launch Your Kid: How to Promote Your Child's Academic & Personal Success (without being a helicopter parent), which launched in January 2021.
-buy it today at www.righttrackeducation.ca/shop and use BACKYARDCAMP20 to get 20% off!
-available globally where books are sold.
