As we near the end of the summer break period for most school-aged kids, the theme of getting back into the swing of the school calendar is a common one among both parents and educators alike. Months-long breaks from the classroom may require some readjustment from students once they're back in school, and you as a parent can play some important roles here.
At Summit Academy, we're happy to offer numerous parent and child resources for our charter school programs, including helpful items like school calendars that lay out break time periods and many other important pieces of info. In this two-part blog series, we'll go over several tips we often provide to parents on how to help get their child or children back into the swing of things for the school year after the long summer break.
Start Talking About It
First and foremost, in the days and weeks leading up to the return to school, it can be helpful to start talking about it with your child or children. As mentioned, for some kids the break may have been a much-needed and welcome respite from the rigors of the school year, while others may have used the time as an opportunity to stay sharp and on top of things academically.
No matter which camp your child falls into, getting them talking (and thinking) about the upcoming school year can help ease any anxieties they may have and allow you to better gauge how they're feeling about things. What are some of their favorite things about school? Are there any subjects or activities they're really looking forward to getting back to? This is also a great opportunity to talk about any apprehensions or concerns they have and help address them accordingly.
Start Re-Focusing Habits
Whether we're talking about sleep schedules, dietary habits, or extracurricular activities, chances are the long break has thrown off many of the routines and patterns that were established during the school year. As such, it can be helpful to start re-focusing these habits in the days and weeks leading up to the return to school.
For instance, if your child's sleep schedule has become more erratic over the break, begin gradually shifting their bedtime back to a reasonable hour for school nights. And if they've been eating less healthy meals or snacks, help them get back on track by including more fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods in their diet. Physical activity is also important, both for maintaining focus and concentration during the school day as well as for managing stress levels. If your child hasn't been getting much exercise over the break, try to work it into their daily routine leading up to the return to school.
In part two of our series, we'll go over some more general tips here. For more on how to get your child back into the swing of school after the summer break, or to learn about any of our charter school programs or services, speak to the team at Summit Academy today.