|
|
You are here: Family Magazine >
Education > Kick Off a
Stress-Free School Year
Kick Off a Stress-Free School Year
By: Sylvan Learning Center of St. Petersburg
For many children, the first day of school doesn’t only mean new teachers and
new friends – it can also be a source of anxiety with homework assignments and
tests just around the corner. Starting the school year off on the right foot can
help minimize a child’s stress level throughout the year.
The experts at Sylvan Learning Center, the leading provider of in-center and
live, online tutoring at home to students of all ages and skill levels, suggest
parents help their children prepare for the transition to the next grade level
and the return to school by encouraging a structured routine from day-one and
staying actively involved in their child’s education.
To help children get ready for the new school year and to minimize academic
stress, Sylvan Learning Center offers these tips and ideas to make the
transition from summer to school easier. Tips include back–to-school suggestions
and specific hints for the transitional years:
Back-to-School Tips (for each new school year):
• Get back in the routine. Ease transition from lazy summer days to the
structure of the school year by re-establishing bedtime, mealtime, reading and
homework routines. Talk with your child about the importance of these routines
and how they help ensure that he is not overtired or overly anxious about
schoolwork or the next day of school.
• Set education goals. Help your child set goals at the very beginning of
the year. Whether it is striving for an A in reading, handing in all homework on
time or preparing for tests well in advance, setting goals can help set the
routine for the new year.
• Develop a relationship with your child’s teacher. Take the time to meet
your child’s teachers at the beginning of the school year. Teachers can be the
best source for information about your child’s scholastic performance and they
can recommend ways to help your child or resolve any difficulties he or she is
having.
• Homework routine and place. Designate a specific time and place for
homework time and help your child discover a regular, quiet place where he can
study. Make sure that the area is free from potential distractions and that
study tools are at your child’s fingertips to keep him focused on homework and
studying.
• Stay on schedule. Your child should keep a schedule of all classes,
assignments and key dates, such as project deadlines and test dates. As part of
that schedule, she should include specific times for studying, projects and
extracurricular activities. The more thorough the schedule, the more efficient
your child will be. Organization minimizes late nights completing homework
assignments, cramming for tests at the last minute and can ultimately reduce
student anxiety about school.
• Emphasize organization. For some students, having color-coded binders
for each subject helps them stay on track throughout the school year. Keeping
notes organized helps test preparation later in the year, so work with your
child to determine the best method for him.
• Encourage learning at home. Promoting learning outside of the classroom
helps children perform better in school. To nurture reading skills spend at
least one hour per week – 10 to 15 minutes a day – reading with your child. To
enhance math proficiency, try allowing your child to help plan the next family
trip and encourage him to compute miles, cost of gas, and expenses for food,
hotel and entertainment.
For more educational resources for children in grades pre-K through 12, please
visit
http://www.tutoring.sylvanlearning.com
or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.
|
|
