5 Ways to Prepare Your Kids for Heading Back to School
The Circuit Breaker is finally coming to a close, which means your little ones will soon be back at school! Although it’s a return that may take place over several phases, there’s no harm in getting them prepared and raring to go for the remaining school year.
If you’re not sure how to make the transition from home-based learning to school-based learning a smooth one, then check out these handy tips below!
1. Work it out
It goes without saying that exercise has a wide range of benefits for children and adults alike. Apart from improving physical fitness, it also boosts self-esteem, lowers stress, and increases concentration. As such, it’s a great idea to aim for at least 20 minutes of exercise a day – whether it means following a fun workout video together at home or taking a leisurely stroll around the park (with masks on, of course!).
By fighting away the sluggishness that comes with sitting around at home all day, your child will also be in great spirits, both mentally and emotionally, when school begins! Plus, it will give him a headstart in acing any fitness tests that may come his way later on in the school year once social distancing rules ease up!
2. Get crafty
Have your children been spending way too much time in front of the TV? Then maybe it’s time to hide those Playstation controllers for a little while and get them interested in some art and craft activities. Not only does art encourage a sense of creativity and independence, but it also improves your child’s neurological and motor skills.
One great way of getting them interested is by challenging them to make things they need. For instance, if your child has been asking you for a new pencil holder recently, you could try having them construct one using recycled materials found around the home including cereal boxes or milk cartons. Not only will this help encourage a sense of eco-friendliness in your little one, but it’ll also save you some time from having to take out the trash. You can thank us later!
By getting crafty, your child’s boost of confidence and thirst for creativity will allow him to find more out-of-the-box solutions to any issues he may face once he’s back at school. Looking for some cool craft ideas? Inspiration is readily available here!
3. Talk it through
These are certainly confusing times for children, especially with all the major changes to their lifestyle and routines due to the Circuit Breaker. As such, it would be a great idea to talk to your kids and find out how they feel about going back to school. Are they feeling excited? Or perhaps worried they might be lagging behind academically?
Figuring out if anything is bothering them or making them nervous will give you the chance to try to guide them through the transition. What’s more, it’ll also instill more confidence in them and gear them up for their time back in class.
4. Set up new routines at home
Whether or not you’re a fan of routines, many agree that they’re usually a great idea for your little ones – which is perhaps why our school system is so structured. After all, routines are said to give children a sense of security and stability, which in turn strengthens their trust and relationship with their parents over time.
That’s why it’s a great idea to add structure to the remaining days of the Circuit Breaker period before your child returns to school. Granted, things may have become a bit ‘free and easy’ with the circuit breaker – but it’s never too late to make a start! Their routine could involve things like household chores, school work, play, and exercise. Most importantly, it shouldn’t feel like you’re imposing a schedule on your little one, so it’s best if both of you can decide on one together. Once that’s done, they’ll be ready for routine school life in no time!
If you’re looking for some tips on planning an ideal routine for your children, check out this article!
5. Encourage independence
It’s normal for parents to fret and worry about their little ones all the time, but every now and then it’s good to let them take charge. As tempting as it is to help your kids pack their school bags and make sure their uniforms and shoes are ready, it might be a better idea to encourage them to take some initiative and get things done on their own. By taking charge and relying less on you, they’ll feel more confident and prepared to get back to school!
Some other ways you can encourage independence at home include letting them choose their daily outfits, plan dinner menus, or even just looking after their younger siblings. For more ideas, check out this article by Parents.com here!
Article first published in May 2020 on the CaregiverAsia blog.
