Back to School
Once again, summer has flown & the schoolhouse doors will soon reopen. There is something innately liberating about summer less regimented schedules & more freedom to do as the mood moves us. For many parents, however, its a something of a comfort to have the structure of school once again imposed on the routine of their lives. For most, it's probably a mixture of relief and reluctance, but whatever sentiments it brings, it's imminent!
Getting kids back on schedule to get up for school, dealing with homework, & getting organized to make it all happen with success are some of the issues that can make going back to school a daunting proposition. It goes without saying that parents attitude about school resuming can shape their children's outlook. Younger children are usually excited about buying new school supplies, so take advantage of that enthusiasm to gather supplies that can help them get organized. For students who change classes, designating a color for each subject and then color-coordinating notebooks, binders, bookcovers & folders can increase the chances a student gets to class with the correct materials for that class. Having everything for one class the same color makes quick work of identifying the correct items during the rush to the locker between classes. Determine a system for ensuring homework gets to school & turned in. Consider a 3-ring or spiral binder w/pockets (again color-cued) for each subject that the student brings home daily. A separate colored folder for each subject can be used, but necessitates the student remembering which folders to bring home each day. However, if everything is color-coded, its easier to develop the habit of grabbing a folder the same color as the textbook when leaving school. The common habit of folding homework & putting it inside a textbook results in many lost and/or ragged papers. A zipper bag is essential to insure a ready supply of pens and pencils. It's surprising how many students arrive in class with nothing to write with. Some students prefer to travel light so if they'd rather not carry the zipper bag with them, it can be left in their locker, to be accessed as needed.
Organization doesn't end at the schoolhouse door; a system at school that is not reinforced at home will usually eventually break down. Even if a child doesn't have a desk in his or her room, its important that there is a designated place to do homework. It can be the kitchen table, a lapboard on the sofa or whatever works, as long as the student knows this is where schoolwork is done. It bears repeating that if homework is completed in the living room, consideration has to be given to the potential for distraction, not only from television, but from conversations & activities of other family members. A great many kids want to do homework while watching tv or listening to music. It's true that many people do work more efficiently with some sort of background noise (i.e., music), but loud, heavy music doesn't usually serve the purpose. Likewise, television is usually distracting due to the frequent scene changes & intense activity in many shows. If you decide to allow your child to try working with music or television on, review the work done & perhaps quiz them briefly about what they' ve completed to get an idea if they're able to absorb the content while subjected to their favorite media form. Decide together on a convenient place to gather all school materials once homework is done. Knowing that everything that is to be taken to school is always in once specific place cuts down on time spent looking for things during the morning rush and increases the chances of getting to school with needed items. A table, basket or shelf near the door used to leave for school is useful & makes it less likely something important is forgotten because it was in the child's room or the living room, etc. Helping a child implement a system of organization not only increases their chances of success, but instills a sense of independence and self-efficacy.
Perhaps nothing is more difficult than reinstating school-appropriate sleep schedules. Staying up late & sleeping in seems to be the schedule most kids naturally adapt to over the summer months. To ease the transition, it may help to move toward earlier times in stages, starting the week before school starts. I personally always liked it when the first day of school was on a Thursday, as this gave us a couple of days to get back on school time, and then the following weekend to rest up before that first full week of school. With school beginning on Monday this year, many kids view the weekend just prior as their last hurrah, and will not welcome the idea of earlier bedtimes for the last couple of nights before school starts, which can make for a long, tiring first week. A wise parent will consider this in scheduling of other activities, chores and projects that first week.
Parents who look forward to school resuming may assume their children share their anticipation. However, parents should remind themselves of the array and intensity of feelings a youngster may have with the advent of another school year, especially if it's a transitional year, such as moving into middle or high school, or changing schools for some other reason. Because parents lives often go on pretty much as before, its easy to forget children may be fearful, anxious or overwhelmed as they contemplate the upcoming school year. A child may doubt his or her ability to meet higher academic and/or behavioral expectations or may be influenced by rumors and horror stories about certain teachers or subjects. Parents who are available and willing to allow their child to express and process such feelings can facilitate the child's adjustment and the belief he or she can succeed. Most teachers appreciate being informed if a student is facing any unusual or challenging situations and may also be able to help ease a students apprehension. It bears repeating: an open line of communication between parent and teacher can minimize many potential difficulties.
Creative organization, patience and a willingness to allow children to express their feelings can turn the yuck of readjusting to another school year into yea!
Belinda Crosier, Masters of Education and Licensed Professional Counselor at Edmond Family Counseling. She can be reached at 351-3554.
