Summer is drawing to a close, and we’re getting ready for the new school year. Returning to the classroom presents your child with both challenges and opportunities. There are several things you can do to help your child get off to a good start.
Make sure your child is familiarized with the school before the first day of classes
Meet Your Teacher!
Each year children graduate from one grade level to the next and many families move during the summer. The stress of going to a new school can weigh heavily on some children, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and visit the school before classes start. If the campus is open, visit the office and meet the staff. Walk the hallways with your child and visit the playground. A short trip like this can make a real difference in the ease with which your child will settle into the new routine at a new school. Many schools offer an orientation for incoming students, so be sure to contact your school for details.
If possible, arrange a meeting with your child’s new teacher
Many teachers spend the last couple of weeks of summer preparing their classrooms for the new school year. During this time, they may be available for you to drop by the school and meet with them. This is a great opportunity for both you and your child to start the new school term off on the right foot. Having your child walk into the first day of class and seeing a smile of recognition from his or her teacher is a definite plus. Help to foster a good relationship between your child and their new teacher. Younger children can draw a picture or create a small craft to give to the teacher on the first day. Make it a fun project, and your child will associate the fun activity with their new teacher. The more fun elements you can introduce into the learning process, the more likely your child will get excited about learning.
Help your child build relationships with other children
Studying With Friends is Fun
If you’ve moved to a new area, it’s vital to help your child build new friendships. An evening walk through the neighborhood after dinner can be a great opportunity to meet neighbor children and start to build new friendships. Make sure you do what you can to have your house open to new friends. There’s a real benefit when starting at a new school if your child has already made friends with some of the other students. It’s one more element of comfort to help your child ease into a new environment.
Start early helping your child excel in school
If your child’s previous teachers have alerted you to subjects needing more work, be sure you take a pro-active approach to those areas. The sooner your child gets a boost with a difficult subject, the easier it will be for them to get caught up and even excel in that subject. That’s where Academic Learning Labs can be a great resource. We have support tutoring for all areas of your child’s needs. If they’re struggling to keep up with homework, our tutors can help them get organized and take charge of the work. We also offer individualized help to equip your child to better tackle whatever challenges face them at school. We have programs designed to provide reading enrichment, improve math skills, and enhance writing skills. Our tutors have a real knack for making learning fun. One thing you’ll notice when you visit us is how much laughter can be heard during our tutoring. Call us at 949-546-0800 and we’ll be happy to show you how we can help your child excel at school — and have fun doing so!
