Setting your child up for a successful school year
The beginning of a new school year brings mixed emotions. Some children will feel excited and eager, others may feel nervous, anxious, or overwhelmed. Perhaps they are a new student starting at a new school, a kindy student experiencing school for the first time or maybe they will be entering the big wide world of high school. It is important, as parents and carers, to prepare your child for the year ahead depending on their individual needs. Here are LWLC’s top tips to ensure every student feels prepared:
- Have a positive outlook
Positive communication with your child is important. Children tend to have an “emotion radar” and can easily pick up on your feelings. Even if you are nervous for them, try to focus on maintaining positive communication. Focus on the wonderful new things they will learn, the adventures they will go on and the friends they will get to see each day. Of course, it is equally as important to talk through any concerns they may have. We suggest looking through the school’s previous yearbook or facebook page so they can see all the fun activities they might be doing.
- Prepare ahead of time
When a child feels prepared, it gives them a sense of control. Give yourself and your child plenty of time in the morning to organise school bags and lunches. Reach out to their class carer once this has been established to organise a social catch up during the weekends or after school if your child is new. Getting involved will help them feel prepared and excited for the year ahead.
- Establish consistent home routines
Are you unpacking your kids’ bags, lunches, getting their uniforms ready, washing and then putting it away each day? One of the best tools to teach your child responsibility is by creating age appropriate before and after school home routines. Encourage them to get themselves dressed for school and pack their lunch and water bottle into their own bag. As they get older, they can be responsible for laying out their clothes the night before, washing their lunchbox when they get home and doing their homework at a set time. These routines will allow them to feel a sense of responsibility, independence and teach important organisational skills.
Here at Living Waters Lutheran College, we understand that setting your child up for a successful school year will look different for every child. If you would like to speak to us to discover how we nurture, challenge and inspire our students to look positively at the year ahead, please call us on 0895931211 or visit the Take a Tour page on our website to arrange a personal meet and greet.
