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Summer is in full swing, but it will soon be time for kids to get back to school for a new academic year. While your son or daughter should be allowed to enjoy the break, it’s vital that you begin preparing for 2021/22 right away. Otherwise, you will be in for a very stressful last week or two before the school year starts. More importantly, shortcomings could put your child at a disadvantage for the entire term.
Take note of the lessons below, and your family will be in a far better position once for September and beyond.
They Need A Suitable Homework Space
If you homeschool your child, you’ll already appreciate the benefits of suitable study surroundings. However, even for kids that attend a traditional school environment, the value of a good spot for homework cannot be emphasised enough. The summer is your chance to make it happen by adapting your home accordingly.
For those with an unused guest room, creating a home office is the ideal solution. Learn how to make it feel homely without becoming distracting and your child will be set to thrive when it comes to homework assignments. The fact that you can use the office when working from home or managing your finances and household bills is a bonus.
Even after the lockdowns, homework is an essential ingredient in the recipe for success. After all, it is a chance for kids to show autonomy while discovering their true strengths and weaknesses.
Image Matters
Kids can be cruel. Likewise, they may feel self-conscious about seemingly small issues. As a parent, it’s imperative that you ensure your son or daughter has a smart school uniform and shoes. Youngsters grow quickly, which is why you may wish to wait until the final fortnight before the start of term. Still, now is the time to do your research and save some cash.
In addition to the school uniform, you must consider your child’s haircut. This guide to great hairstyles for kids will inspire. This summer, you must also go the extra mile to watch your child’s weight because some social activities are still off-limits. As such, the threat of becoming couch potato kids is greater than ever.
It is also the perfect time to start thinking about school supplies. Notepads, pens, pencils, calculators, and other essentials should be purchased ASAP. Starting the term in an organised sense is key.
Health Issues Impact Education
Many kids have a few issues as their bodies develop. From growing pains to skin irritations, managing those situations will have a big influence on their ongoing learning. This summer is the perfect opportunity to attend to those issues, which should start with an accurate diagnosis from a GP.
Supporting your child through issues that cause pain and discomfort isn’t the only key factor. Hearing loss or reduced vision could seriously impact a child’s confidence and ability to learn. Booking regular appointments with the appropriate experts are advised. Otherwise, your child may be restricted in what they can learn before they’ve even entered the classroom. If the waiting lists are too long and you are concerned about their hearing, for example, you could look into booking a private pediatric audiologist.
It is another issue where kids can feel self-conscious. If your child does need hearing aids or glasses, the summer weeks offer a chance for them to acclimatise to them. Creating a smoother transition will make life far less stressful.
Now Is The Time To Prepare For Work Ahead
As said, children deserve to enjoy their summer break. Nonetheless, you cannot ignore the importance of their academic development. This is especially true when your son or daughter is set to enter an important year. A small amount of work in preparation for a new term keeps their minds active. It also ensures they can tackle the work with confidence.
Many resources are available online. Getting your child to take 11+ mock exams could be a very useful move. It will let you know where they thrive and struggle, or could help determine whether they are a good candidate or not. There is nothing wrong with missing this exam if it will protect your child from inevitable disappointment. Although some still like to take it,
Becoming familiar with the subjects that may be covered in the months to come can remove a source of fear. This is something that will benefit your child greatly. Sending them into a new academic year blindly would be crazy.
Consistency Is King
Once the academic year starts, it’s important to establish consistency between schoolwork and homework. Contrasting teachings can inadvertently introduce confusion. This makes it hard for a young mind to get to grips with subjects. As with many aspects of modern life, clear communication is the most rewarding element by far.
When your child is of primary school age, building a strong relationship with their teacher is easy. While you must avoid bombarding them with messages, a fortnightly weekly email on their progress can help. It’ll enable you to work together with the goal of helping your child on the path to increased academic ability. It can extend to behavioural aspects.
For senior school children, it may be a little harder. However, you can make contact before the term starts to ask for updates of any major issues. Once the term starts, attend parents’ evenings and other opportunities to discuss your child’s progress. They may get tempted to use an essay writing service but steer them away from these temptations with good preparation and support.
Kids Are Mentally Vulnerable
The social understanding of mental health problems has grown at a rapid rate in recent years. And it’s not only adults who can feel anxious, stressed, depressed, and vulnerable to problems. Unfortunately, they are likely to bottle those issues inside. As a parent, then, it’s vital that you stay vigilant to the signs of potential problems.
One of the best ways to do this is to hold conversations with open-ended questions that ask about the child’s day, how they feel, and key issues. The car rides home from school will be an ideal time once the term starts. Addressing issues like childhood bullying or poor treatment from teachers should be on the agenda. But the process can start now.
As well as car journeys back from summer clubs, you can use mealtimes as a chance to monitor your child’s mental wellness. Keep things casual and positive, or else they will continue to lock issues inside. When tackling the issues, reassurance is crucial.
Academic Learning Is Only One Part Of Their Development
Educational development is the main focal point of school. There is no question that it can unlock better opportunities for them in later life. However, it’s equally important to recognise that it needs to be supplemented by a range of physical, social, and motor skill development. These are all areas where parents can have a huge influence.
Sporting activities are a great option. From gaining increased coordination to confidence and communication skills, the benefits are plentiful. Of course, staying active is highly beneficial too. Dance classes, drama, and other social environments for kids are all useful options too. Naturally, you need to find an activity that your child enjoys.
For the best results, you may wish to look for activities where they will meet new friends while still having some familiar faces. When you show an interest in this new hobby, it can become a source of family enjoyment too.
Reading Isn’t The Only Way To Learn
While reading and writing are essential skills for every child, they aren’t the only options for learning. Your child may be a visual learner, an auditory learner, or a hands-on kinetic learner. Knowing what style works best for your child can have a telling impact as you look to find the right tools to help them grow their skills.
It is shown that children commonly work better when they have to interact with the work, in contrast to passive content. Making the work enjoyable is another priority. This can be achieved in several ways. Interactive computer learning models are a great option. Not least because many of those programmes will offer instant feedback.
Another solution is to relate questions to something they love. Math questions could be linked to scenarios found in football or netball. Similarly, geography can be linked to the backgrounds of their favourite singers or film stars.
Personal Development Is The Key To Success
Even before they start school, kids are constantly compared to other children and the milestones that they should be hitting. When it comes to school work, exams and tests are important. Nonetheless, all kids have strengths and weaknesses. Some are naturally more academic while many are above average in some subjects and below average in others.
The most important thing is that your son or daughter is trying their best. As long as they are progressing along their personal path in the right way, they will unlock their full potential. They may find that they are a little slower to get their heads around some features. But then they’ll also discover their strengths and passions.
As a parent, the summer can be used to keep pushing the value of hard work. It doesn’t have to be limited to academic progress. The aforementioned hobbies like sports, as well as ideas like playing an instrument, will underline the rewards.
