 |
Focusing on Strengths. |
|||||
Read other newsletter articles written by our therapists at our
Links and Resources |
Mom, I Lost My Brain and other Campfire TalesGetting Your Kids Back to School Without Losing Your Mind
By Jackie Block, MFT
It was a dark and stormy night…no, not really, but it felt that way as we prepared for the back to school adventure. For some it’s a breeze and for others it is a nightmare. Although you may be reading this after the first days of school have started, it is not too late to set the tone for a happy and healthy school year. First off let’s look at daily habits. Is your child getting enough sleep? Sleep is really important to our day to day functioning and for those who do not practice what is called good “sleep hygiene” difficulties develop over time. Establish a bedtime routine that signals your child and your child’s body that it is time to wind down. This can include a bath or shower, a snack, a story, a video or a TV show. When it’s time to go to bed, it’s time. Be sensitive to children who generally need more sleep and set a schedule that accommodates them. For those who protest, encourage them to stay in their room and try to sleep or offer a bit of reading time. Morning routines are important. Establish a “wake up” time. Make sure that there is enough time to get ready and that every morning is not a rush. Although some children and teens like to sleep in, they tend to do better if they have enough “get ready” time. This may include having bathroom schedules, setting out clothes and packing backpacks and lunches the night before. Make sure that your child has something for breakfast. Even if your child states that they don’t eat breakfast, they should have just a little something to give them the energy to make it to lunch. Don’t allow your child to watch TV or play video games before school unless they are 100% ready to leave the house. You can also establish a time, perhaps 5 minutes before they have to leave, that they need to be ready and show that they are ready. After school comes homework time. I remember a conversation I had with a friend who stated that her son thanked her for making him do his homework after school as it was a habit he continued with in college. Establish a homework time. Some children are ready to dive in right as they walk in the door. Other’s need a 20 minute break and a snack. Make sure work gets started before dinner and that it ends shortly after dinner. Don’t allow homework to get started well into the evening. Most students do not have the energy, nor the attention and concentration to start something at 8:00 PM at night. Make sure the homework gets home. If your child is at an age where he or she uses a planner, make sure it gets used and check it or ask about it daily. It shows you’re interested because he or she knows you are going to ask about it. If your child is struggling with using the planner or getting homework home, help him get organized by using the planner as a check list; requesting a “student buddy” who can mirror getting things together; or talking with the teacher about other possibilities regarding getting work home. Make sure their study area is free of distractions and make sure they have enough room to spread out and work. Some parent’s think that their child should be able to get their work done on their own, especially if they are in the middle school years or beyond. Not so fast, your responsibility is not over. Although some students need little to no help, others need guidance or you checking in. Help your child, don’t do it for them. Remember they need to own their successes and failures. Be present and available to help with subjects they may be struggling with. It’s ok to shout out that spelling word or math equation or ask the history question. It shows that you are interested, care and that school is important. Look at your child’s learning style, and help them establish “tricks” to learn. Whether it’s the use of note cards, coming up with rhymes or just practicing, work with your child to establish fun and easy ways to learn. If your child is struggling, talk with the teacher before your child gets too frustrated or too far behind. Some children can plow through homework with minimal breaks; others need to take frequent stretches to get through their work load. Test it out, see what works best for your child and praise their efforts. If you get frustrated they will be frustrated too. If as a parent, you are having difficulty managing the homework, take a break and be reassuring. If you are struggling with some of the concepts, let your child know and look at who they can ask, whether it’s letting the teacher know the next day about the difficulty, or calling a friend or finding another adult who can help with the difficult subject. Sometimes it takes several different explanations for someone to understand what they are trying to learn. Practice patience and praise efforts. Last but not least, don’t allow your child to be overloaded with extra activities. Let them pick one extra activity that is also an obligation like a sport, music or dance and stick with it. If it interferes with school then you need to look at cutting back or stopping. Their education is important; it’s up to you to help them set their priorities now to encourage a bright and healthy future. For more information on education and school related issues check out our school and learning page at www.dollandassociates.com “Whatever you attend to will grow.” What's Happening At our Clinic and in the CommunityMiddle School Parents Night What: Parents night presented by Doll and Associates clinicians in partnership with Theisen Middle School When: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 Who: Any parents of middle school age children Where: Theisen Middle School Topics include: Adolescent development, setting limits & boundaries for your teen, signs of potential teens at risk
Family Wellness: Couples Edition What: Learn great, life-changing skills to enhance your family starting at the core: The Couple When: Sundays, October 5, 12, 19, 2008 from 6-9 pm Where: Holy Family Parish Hall For further details, go to www.thinkmarriage.org
Teacher Education Clinicians from Doll and Associates are also presenting information to the teachers of Lomira School District on topics including: ADHD, oppositional behaviors, anxiety, depression and cutting behaviors Go to our events page for more great events in the area! |
|||||
|
||||||
| Copyright 2000-2007 by Doll & Associates, S.C. - All Rights Reserved | ||||||