Tips To Help Kids Prepare For School

We all know schools will be opened in few weeks to come….. the early waking up of sleepy kids who still have the playful, strenght draining funfilled spirit in them is always a difficult situation for parents, especially mothers. Here are a few tips to help out with all of that and dont forget to start reminding them they are about to resume school at least a week before school starts, so a little part of their minds will be ready.

1. Get breakfast right
“Breakfast is the starting block of the school day,” says a nutritionist .
“If children go to school slightly hungry or thirsty they won’t perform as well intellectually, emotionally or physically. Peanut butter on wholemeal toast with a glass of milk is a good choice, or a medium to low sugar cereal like Weetabix or porridge.

2. Have a better bedtime
Most children go back to school tired and irritable after the summer break. “It’s never too late, but parents should begin early nights a week before school starts so they’re not going back with a sleep deficit,” says a behavioural therapist Sleep specialist Sammy Margo, author of The Good Sleep Guide, says exercise before and after school also helps.
Create a tidy, calm environment for your child’s room, tone colours down, keep most of their toys in a separate playroom or tidy them away out of sight.

3. Have a screen-time schedule
There should be no TV in their room for as long as possible and no screens at all for an hour before bed. Scientific studies show how our sleep is disrupted by staring at a screen before bed, and children fare worse than adults.”

4. Re-define success
“Far too many children today are given the message at home that they’re very bright,” says Janis-Norton. “For a start, this can lead to them feeling something is wrong at school if they’re not getting things right away. So instead encourage a ‘growth mindset’ so they know they can improve with time and focus, which helps improve their confidence. Secondly, remember that being bright on its own isn’t enough. Parents today get so caught up in the academic side of things and expect so much from their children.But success in life is also down to good social skills, self-control and being polite, so don’t overlook those skills too.”

5. Leave them be
Parents also need to not make children so much of a focus at home, there are households where the parents pick up constantly after their child and stop a conversation mid-flow the minute their child interrupts them. The child gets the message they’re the most important person in the room, which isn’t a message you want them taking into the classroom.
Similarly, don’t feel like you need to give your child your undivided attention when you’re with them. Of course they need that for a small part of every day. But leave them alone to have independent free play where they’re not entertained by a screen, a parent or a play-date. And let them clear up after themselves and do as much for themselves – ie getting dressed and out the door – as they can. This is the basis for them working well independently at school and developing resilience, problem-solving skills and confidence – things you do want them taking into the classroom.”