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Going Back To School
When children go back to school after summer vacation, they usually
liken it to a return to a torture chamber or something equally tedious.
They dread bullies, new classmates, heavy loads of schoolwork, and harsh
teachers. In such situations, it’s not just the child who feels
anxious—even parents are overcome with worry. Questions such as,
“What if someone would hurt my child?” “What if he
doesn’t like his new classmates?” “What if he gets
low grades because of this?” would pop into a parent’s mind.
But fear not. There are several ways that can help you and your child
get through the first-day-of-school jitters. Here are some simple steps
and guidelines for you to follow.
Prepare yourself emotionally, and don’t panic. When a child sees
that you’re feeling nervous, this would just discourage him from
going back to school. Instead, focus on the preparations for your child.
Has he prepared all the things he needs to bring? What about his snacks?
All of these things should be ready the day before school starts.
Always keep track of time and never be late. As early as one or two
weeks before classes start, get your child accustomed to waking up early
so the new schedule won’t come us a shock when the schooldays
roll around. If ever you need someone else to take your child to school
or pick him up after classes, always stress the importance of time and
remind the person to stick to the appointed schedule.
If he ever feels troubled about school life, let him cry. Crying is
natural, especially during the first few days of classes. Give him the
time he needs to unroll his thoughts and speak out about all his anxieties
and uncertainties about school.
Even if he is going to the same school he’s been attending for
years, the first few days (or even weeks) of school can still present
great challenges. Don’t pressure your child to excel right away,
and don’t force him to adjust. Neither should you berate him if
he approaches you with problems he is facing.
The first day of school can indeed be a daunting challenge for your
child to face, but with a little help, and given enough time for him
to adjust, he will soon find that he’s back in familiar surroundings
and be able to perform well in school again and connect with his old
friends.
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