The new school year has begun, and that means getting kids back into the swing of things and in the right mindset for focusing on their education. Summer may have been pretty laid back, but now they have school every day and extracurriculars are starting back up. That means busier schedules and more obligations.
Here are a few ways you can help set your child up for greater success this year.
- Create Healthy Meal Habits
Good nutrition is important for brain health. A granola bar or handful of cereal as they run to the bus stop isn’t going to give your child the fuel they need to make it through the day. Figure out some simple breakfast and lunch ideas that will keep them full and energized. Meal prep ahead of time so all they have to do is grab and go, and make sure you’re including items they’ll actually eat. Have them pack their lunch the night before and leave it in the refrigerator so it is one less thing to worry about in the morning.
Make sure they’re eating a well-balanced dinner as well so they can power through homework and studying and get a better night’s sleep. Carve out time to sit down together whenever possible rather than eating on the run.
- Set a Sleep Schedule
Getting into an effective sleep routine early on can set the tone for the rest of the year. Schedules and workloads can be unpredictable but try to get your kids to go to bed and wake around the same time each day. Teens should be getting between eight and 10 hours of sleep per night. Making sleep a priority can empower them to be more alert during the day, boost their health, and help them focus and process information better.
- Develop an After School Routine
Setting a schedule helps your child improve their time management and focus on getting their work done. Decide whether they’ll start on their homework as soon as they get home, after a snack break, after dinner, or after practice. Have a dedicated study and work time. Even during the first few days of school when they may not have a lot of homework or big projects, use this time to reinforce key skills and concepts they learned the year before, or to review their notes from the day. They can also preview information in their textbook so they’re ready for the next day. Establishing these routines and following through each day can make them second nature, so when your child gets home from school, they know what is expected and what to work on.
- Get Organized
Create an organized workspace where everything has its place and there are minimal distractions. Make sure your child has access to any tools or materials they may need to complete their assignments, whether that is a calculator, ruler, pencils, highlighters, scrap paper, or sticky notes. Have separate notebooks and folders for each subject, or dividers in their binder. Put up a calendar where they can write down important dates, projects, assignments, and deadlines as a visual reminder and to help them plan ahead.
- Talk
Ask about their day and their classes. Have them share something new they learned. Discuss their achievements and their concerns. Is there a specific course they are worried about or topic they are having trouble with? Keep open lines of communication, whether that’s over dinner, in the car, or before bed.
If they are struggling or doubting their abilities, be proactive. Crafting Scholars identifies where students are at, where there are gaps, and what their learning style and strengths are to develop customized learning plans that fit their needs and goals. Tutoring can be beneficial for reinforcing what students have learned, exposing them to different strategies, getting a jumpstart on new concepts, preparing for tests, and much more. Contact Crafting Scholars to learn more and reserve your child’s spot.