As the summer days wind down and the start of the school year approaches, it’s not just the children who need to prepare, but us, parents too. From shopping for school supplies to packing lunches and managing homework, we have a vital role in ensuring a smooth transition into the back-to-school routine.
At times, the responsibilities can feel overwhelming, leaving us searching for guidance and support. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive back-to-school guide, specifically designed to empower and assist you – whether you’re a seasoned back-to-school pro or a first-time parent – in navigating the challenges of the back-to-school season and help put your child on the path to academic success.
Create a routine ahead of time
Creating a routine in advance is important for childrens’ well-being. It helps them adapt their internal body clock to a fixed schedule for activities like bedtime, homework, breaks, and relaxation. Children aged 5-14 should aim for 9-11 hours of sleep per day, as it improves focus, learning, and memory retention while promoting overall health. Ensuring they are well-rested prepares them to handle daily responsibilities with enthusiasm and efficiency.
Regarding homework, scheduling it soon after your child comes home maximizes their alertness and retention of information. Alternatively, allowing them to relax first and completing homework after dinner can be equally effective.
Create a list of important term dates
It is widely understood that an academic year involves numerous schedules and activities and parents must create a timeline, listing all the important term dates. This comprehensive list includes information such as your child’s class schedule, school activities or trips, parent assemblies, and more.
To accomplish this task, you can ask your child’s teacher or visit the school’s website, if available. These sources provide valuable insights that enable you to stay well-informed and plan ahead. By maintaining an organized record of these important dates, you can effectively align your own schedules with your child’s, ensuring a smooth and coordinated approach throughout the academic year.
Acquire an inventory of school supplies
Primary schools typically provide students with necessary school supplies, but it is still beneficial to purchase additional materials. These extra supplies not only come in handy for homework but also prove useful for future projects, assignments, and activities, saving you the trouble of purchasing them when the need arises.
In addition to the basic school supplies such as notebooks, papers, pencils/pens, sharpeners, and coloring materials, consider purchasing rulers, glue, envelopes, markers, bond papers, and various art materials and stationery supplies. Moreover, any leftover items can still be used in the coming years, ensuring their continued usefulness.
Set up a dedicated study area
Creating a designated study area encourages effective learning habits by providing a comfortable and focused environment for homework and studying. This helps your child concentrate better and minimizes distractions, leading to productive learning and the opportunity to achieve academic development.
Place the study area in a common space in the house so you can readily provide guidance and support to your child whenever they require assistance with math problems, reading assignments, or any other subjects.
Develop a system for managing school handouts
In the initial weeks of the school year, the school is likely to provide your child with various important handouts that will require your attention and signature before returning them to the school. So to handle school handouts efficiently, establish a system for managing them during your back-to-school preparations.
Creating an “inbox” for review and signature and an “outbox” for completed documents helps avoid misplacing and mixing up documents if you have a separate location for these papers.
Enroll them in an after school program
Enrolling your children in after school programs can offer numerous benefits. Not only does it extend their learning opportunities beyond the regular school day but also foster their personal growth and development. It also allows them to pursue their passions, build new skills, and establish friendships with peers who share similar interests.
As part of your back-to-school preparations, take the time to explore after school program options for your children. Check out Kumon Philippines, trusted by Filipino parents’ in unlocking their children’s potential and empowering their minds. We offer Math and Reading Programs that can help your children establish a strong educational foundation and set their path to academic success. Aside from these, we train your kids to develop lifelong skills such as self learning, self-discipline, perseverance in the face of challenges, and more. Enroll your kids in Kumon today!
