Parenting Tips for a Successful School Year
These 7 tips could help this school year be a successful one.
1. Sleep: Make sure that bedtime is the same time each night. Children need rest and routine. Once bedtime is set, your child will understand what is expected and there will be fewer problems as the year goes on. Also make sure that the activities before bedtime are quiet ones; reading, quiet conversation, helping out with preparations for the next days’ breakfast.
2. Nutrition: Make sure that children have breakfast. A piece of toast with peanut butter; fruit; applesauce; grits and butter are suggestions for a quick nutritious breakfast. Please do not allow your child to start the day with candy, soda, or sugary cakes, which only make them inattentive, overactive, then tired. Also try not to reward your children with sweets. Instead, give them pennies and let them save up for a small toy.
3. Homework: Allow children adequate time for homework and study time. Schedule a time for everyone to read and/or do homework; including Mommy and Daddy. During this time, turn off the TV and don’t use the telephone till a later time. If your child doesn’t have homework, make sure he or she has something else to do; practice handwriting, read library books, etc. Give this plan time to work, perhaps starting out with two nights each week, and then gradually increase the number of times each week. Start with a half hour and then increase the time as the need arises. Remember, you, the parent are the example.
4. Activities: *Make sure your child has a library card and make regular visits to the library.
*Get a magazine subscription for your child i.e., Turtle, National Geographic, Highlights, Big Backyard. (Information about subscribing can be found at the library.)
*Take walks as a family on weekends. The park is a good walking experience.
*Go to the museum regularly. It’s free and there is always something different going on.
5. Social Skills: Encourage your child to practice good social skills. At home don’t allow children to push, be rude, or disrespectful. Discourage your child from spending so much time involved with technology. Too much cell phone, computer and video game use keeps child isolated and unable to interact appropriately with others. Give your child praise for good manners and habits. Remember that you, the parent, are the example! Children will imitate what they see.
6. School Success: Take interest in what is going on in your child’s school. Make sure that you are aware of what is being taught so that you can be of help. Attend all meetings at school and read all communications that are sent home. Talk positively about your child’s school and take time to ask about your child’s day. Make sure that your child has the proper tools for school; paper, notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers, calculator, etc. You can shop at the teacher’s favorite store; “The Dollar Tree”. These items are a lot less expensive than designer jeans and sneakers! Always ask to see your child’s work, tests, and graded homework. Give positive words of encouragement, even if the work was not up to standards. Find out from the teacher what can be done for improvement.
7. Love, hugs, kisses, love, hugs, smiles, love, hugs, concern, love, hugs, more kisses, love, hugs, patience, love, hugs, discipline, love, hugs, kind and encouraging words, Love, Hugs, Love!!! (Get the point?!)
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Weller Center Stresses the Importance of Establishing a Bedtime Routine
With more and more things competing for your child’s waking hours, it is not surprising to hear that most kids are sleep deprived. A recent KidsHealth® KidsPoll asked 191 Lehigh Valley-area children, ages 9-13, during a visit to the Weller Center, to share their habits and attitudes about sleep. In total, 1,187 children from health education centers across the country weighed in on this topic. The results showed that an estimated 62% of kids ages 9-13 do not get enough sleep and 70% wish that they could get more sleep. Of those children who are sleep deficient, most required an additional hour or more of sleep per night to meet the recommended amount for children their age. Experts recommend that school-age children receive 9.5 to 10.5 hours of sleep each night.
What can parents do to make a difference in their child’s sleep habits? The KidsPoll found strong evidence in support of establishing a bedtime routine. Kids who reported having a bedtime routine were:
Part of establishing a bedtime routine is setting a time for your child to go to bed. The KidsPoll found strong support for parents taking the lead in setting their child’s bedtime. Children who reported that their parent “decides what time to go to bed” were more likely to get an adequate amount of sleep; in fact, they averaged 45 minutes more sleep nightly than children who chose their own bedtime.
Is it too late to start a bedtime routine if my child is elementary age? Not at all. The Weller Center shares simple tips for establishing (or re-establishing) a bedtime routine with your child.
Tips for Establishing a Bedtime Routine:
The KidsHealth KidsPoll on Sleep surveyed 1,187 children ages 9 to 13 across the U.S. at 10 member sites of the National Association of Health Education Centers (NAHEC), including the Weller Health Education Center. The survey was conducted by researchers from the Department of Health Education and Recreation, Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Survey questions were drafted with the expertise of the KidsPoll Scientific Advisory Board and Experts.
Best Wishes for a Successful School Year!!!
Please feel free to call my office with any concerns you may have about your
child’s well-being, at the following telephone number:
Mrs. R. Pitts-Ramsey, MA, MA, Ed S
School Counselor
U. S Grant Elementary/Middle School 609-656-4732