Aaaaaaahhhh....the first day of school...’tis the season when Mississauga children vibrate with eager anticipation for the school year ahead!  Can you see their excited little faces on the eve of the first day of school?  Can you see them fervently discussing all the new things they’ll learn this year?  Can you see them enthusiastically dreaming up ways to impress their new teachers?

You can’t see them either, can you?  The reality is that even though they’re excited about seeing their friends, they’re nonetheless dreading the end of summer days, and the often intimidating onset of homework and higher expectations. Mississauga Tutor Heather Croft offers some tips for starting the school year off right.

 

Maybe last year was a bad year for your child.  Maybe he struggled with some of the learning material or didn’t have a great relationship with his teacher.  Perhaps she stopped liking school and was increasingly too “sick” to attend school.  Let’s try and make this upcoming year your child’s best year ever!  

    •    If you can’t say anything nice, keep it to yourself - be positive about school when discussing it with or in front of your child.  Never underestimate your influence.  There will always be things about the school, teacher or class that may make you unhappy.  However, remember that your child follows your lead.  A positive “front” from you can make all the difference in your child’s attitude and how she chooses to approach school.
    •    Caught doing good – reinforce good student attitudes and behaviors by recognizing your child with a positive comment or praise immediately. This type of positive reinforcement is a great reward system that can set academic success in motion for the year.
    •    Routine – set a schedule for homework, reading, playtime, and extracurricular activities.  Abiding by this schedule as closely as possible will help children structure their days and help them feel as if they have more control over their time.  By allotting time for not just work, but play as well, you’re also teaching your children the value of balance in their lives.
    •    Homework help – stay abreast of your child’s academic needs by helping with homework.  Depending on the age level and degree of need, you don’t necessarily have to contribute greatly, but being present allows you to praise your child for his successes and know when to be concerned about his struggles.    This way you don’t wait for report cards to learn of difficulties and you can help your child when his frustration is highest, not months after the fact.
    •    Develop good study habits – ensure that during the schedule homework time, your child has a quiet space to work and the time is free from interruptions.  
    •    Organization – help your child keep her school items organized.  Ensure that her backpack, agenda book and school binder are adapted to her organizational level and abilities.  Together, going through the backpack daily will teach beneficial habits and keep you informed - every parent has found important notices crumpled in the bottom and covered in unidentifiable lunch remnants!  As well, teach your child how to organize her binder with labeled dividers.  Just buying the binder isn’t enough; some guidance and structure from you can go a long way.  Developing organizational habits can significantly reduce anxiety over lost assignments and missing items.  It will also save both of you from those dreaded “all-nighters” devoted to huge projects you were just made aware of on the evening of the due date.
    •    Calendar – keep a large wall calendar with all important school dates, birthdays, extra-curricular activities, etc.  Your whole family will appreciate knowing at a mere glance what the day, week, or month is going to entail and plan accordingly.
    •    Keep on top of things – the reality is that teachers begin each year with the understanding that children have already grasped concepts in previous years and are at a certain academic level.  However, your child may have missed some concepts in previous years which may lead to struggles this year.  Don’t spend the year waiting and hoping that your child will eventually “get it”.  Your child’s confidence and self-esteem will deteriorate, and a positive perception of school can be damaged.  Take action immediately to find a way to help your child.  Spend extra time helping with homework and visit the teacher to get additional suggestions.  If the struggle persists, consider getting additional assistance from a professional.
    •    Read EVERY night – incorporate a minimum of 20 minutes reading time every single night.  Establish a family reading time whereby everyone has time to read.  You’re modeling good reading habits and your children appreciate the quiet time.  Reading and writing abilities aren’t just for language arts.  Every subject requires reading comprehension and writing proficiency.  These skills affect all aspects of learning, especially as your child matures and more is expected in every subject level.  Many children do poorly in all subjects, not because they don’t understand them, but because the reading and writing expectations are beyond their capabilities.
    •    Journaling – encouraging your child to keep a daily journal will establish a regular writing routine, while also helping your child use the journal as a release for anxiety.  We tend to discount the degree of children’s fears and concerns, but the reality is that with our increasingly busy schedules and high expectations, children’s anxiety issues are on the rise.  Establishing a time for your child to write daily in his journal will give him the space to release his angst in a safe place.  You’d be surprised how much he’ll begin to look forward to his journal time once you’ve made this a part of his everyday schedule.

Hopefully these tips will contribute to a positive school year and continue to encourage your child’s perception that learning is a fun lifelong experience.  Remember, school is their “job”, but you’re the superintendent.  You still need to supervise and offer support when needed.  Without your help, it will be hard for them to climb the ladder of success.

Heather Croft
Tutor Doctor
Phone:  905-569-9577