How is your child settling into the new semester? Guide your little one through this critical period and help them overcome academic obstacles with these tips!
Are your children not settling well into the new school year?
Don’t worry too much if that’s the case. Starting a new school year can be a challenging time for both your children and you. As such, it's not uncommon for them to experience some anxiety or difficulty coping with change.
Of course, it's natural to want to help your child adjust and feel comfortable in their new environment. But to do that, you have to find out what challenges your child is facing first, as there are several factors that can stop them from settling in.
Today, we’ll show you how you can do that by giving your child both academic support and emotional support. With these tips, you can help your child thrive in the new school year and manage this critical transition period.
Are your children not settling well into the new school year?
Don’t worry too much if that’s the case. Starting a new school year can be a challenging time for both your children and you. As such, it's not uncommon for them to experience some anxiety or difficulty coping with change.
Of course, it's natural to want to help your child adjust and feel comfortable in their new environment. But to do that, you have to find out what challenges your child is facing first, as there are several factors that can stop them from settling in.
Today, we’ll show you how you can do that by giving your child both academic support and emotional support. With these tips, you can help your child thrive in the new school year and manage this critical transition period.
Do you know one of the key differences between parents supporting their child successfully and those doing it unsuccessfully? It’s open communication.
Talk to your child about their feelings and struggles. Encourage them to share their thoughts and concerns with you and do it in a way that lets them know they won’t be judged or criticised.
When children feel like there’s no pressure to provide “the right answer”, they’re more likely to be honest. When that happens, it’s your responsibility to actively listen to what they’re sharing with you and be supportive, not critical.
Respond to their issues with empathy and understanding. This way, you can help them talk through problems, from stress to failing grades. In the process, you can also guide them, but be sure to do it from a place of support and concern.
In turn, this will encourage your child to have more open conversations with you in the future. You can nurture this communication by starting the dialogues regularly yourself – even if only in the form of small talks before bed to ask how they are.
This will also foster a safe and supportive environment where your child feels comfortable expressing themselves as they grow.
You often hear about the importance of parental involvement in education. But have you thought about the fact that this extends beyond the academic?
There are many ways parents can get involved in their children’s school lives, after all. They can prepare them emotionally for their first day of school, help them get ready in the morning, and even go through the schedule with them so children know what to expect.
As a parent, you can also get involved in your child’s school community. For example, attend or volunteer in school activities or events so that you can get to know your child’s teacher and classmates better.
This can help you keep apprised of what’s happening in your child’s school. What’s more, the bonds you form with your child’s school community members can help your child feel more connected to the community at the same time.
Helping your child develop a consistent routine can allow them to feel more prepared to take on the school week ahead.
This can cover bedtime, mealtime, homework, and other activities your child will have as part of their daily schedules. Stick to this routine as much as possible because it’s one of the best ways to help your child feel more secure.
After all, a big cause of stress for children going to school for the first time is not knowing what to expect. By providing points of consistency throughout the day, you can reduce their uncertainty and stress at home and even when they go back to school.
This can’t be stressed enough. Little ones tend to take their cues from the adults around them. If you seem stressed, they’ll very likely be stressed too!
So, nurture a positive attitude not just in your child but in yourself. Be optimistic and excited about your child’s experiences in school, and make sure to share this positivity with your child.
Remember that your children are likely to experience anxiety or stress as they grapple with new challenges like acclimating to school, lessons, homework, and more. Providing a supportive and nurturing home environment gives them a “place to breathe”.
You’ve probably heard the expression “It takes a village to raise a child”. Well, sometimes, you can’t do it all on your own. You may need help guiding your child through this phase of life.
When this happens, don’t hesitate to seek help from those you love and trust. Don’t be afraid to talk to your family and friends, especially those with children, for advice or to seek support.
For example, if you think your child may benefit from more role models, try to find some in your family who can spend time with him or her.
Try to arrange encounters with family that consist mainly of positive encounters or experiences too. The benefit to doing this is that your child can feel more loved, appreciated, and encouraged at home.
In turn, this provides a stronger support structure he or she can draw on when dealing with new situations like school.
There are so many things parents can do to help their children deal with the challenges of school. It takes time, patience, support, and open communication, but you can help your child navigate this transition and thrive in the new school year.
If you think your child needs a little more help than you alone can provide consistently, however, we can help with that.
At Aspire Hub, we have small class sizes, coaches who not only craft personalised learning plans but also motivate students, and a track record of success.
Let us help your little one overcome their anxieties and academic challenges!
