Back To School Tips
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Summer is officially over and that mean it’s time for school. The Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offer the following advice for all parents to help assimilate their kids back to school:
First Day Jitters:
- Remind your child that he or she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
- Point out the positive aspects of starting school: Your child will see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh his or her memory about previous years, when he or she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits after having fun.
- Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your child can walk to school or ride with on the bus.
Back Pack Safety:
- Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
- Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments and pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the student's body weight.
- Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.
School Bus Safety:
- Wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb.
- Check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing.
- Do not move around the bus and always make sure to remain in clear view of the bus driver.
Eating During The School Day:
- Most schools regularly send schedules of cafeteria menus home. With this advance information, you can plan on packing lunch on the days when the main course is one your child prefers not to eat.
- Try to get your child's school to stock healthy choices such as fresh fruit, low-fat dairy products, water and 100 percent fruit juice in the vending machines.
- Each 12-ounce soft drink contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. Drinking just one can of soda a day increases a child's risk of obesity by 60 percent. Restrict your child's soft drink consumption.
Developing Good Homework and Study Habits:
- Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Children need a permanent work space in their bedroom or another part of the home that offers privacy and inspiration.
- Set aside ample time for homework and establish a household rule that the TV stays off during homework time.
- If your child is struggling in a subject, speak with his or her teacher and seek out additional help. Teachers will be happy to assist those who take the initiative.
School should be an enjoyable learning experience for children of all ages, and with proper precautions and preparation, the future of tomorrow will learn today. So teach your kids to enjoy school, because by excelling in school they will be setting themselves up to excel in life.
