backtoschool

How to Get Kids Back into School Mode After the Holidays

Nadya Sharfina · January 11, 2024 · Leave a Comment

"Transitioning from carefree vacations to the structured school routine is made easier with parental support, understanding, and a focus on addressing children's emotional needs."

After a nice lull full of relaxed mornings and fun-filled afternoons, returning to school may prove difficult for some kids. Older kids are usually dealing with a variety of emotions, whilst the younger ones may find the physical aspect more challenging. While teachers do help, It is ultimately up to the parents to help their kids navigate this transition well. Parents could help with making the move from relaxed vacation vibes to the regulated school routine more comfortable by understanding and addressing their kid’s specific emotional needs. In this article, we will look at several ways to successfully help your kids transition from vacation mentality to school mode.

Why It Matters

The transition from a relaxed vacation to a school routine can have a substantial influence on a kid’s health and academic performance. Parents must realise the potential difficulties that their kids may endure throughout this transition. Emotions ranging from excitement to stress and worry are common reactions during this transition. Recognising these emotions and offering the necessary support might help with the adjustment process and help to set your kids up for a great academic year.

Make Sure They Have Everything They Need

Photo by LumenSoft Technologies on Unsplash

The practical parts of returning to school such as making sure your kid has all of the necessary materials can have a huge impact on their confidence and comfort. Take the opportunity to check if their uniform still fits and help them organise their school supplies, such as ensuring they have all necessary stationery including working calculators and sufficient foolscap paper.

This not only prepares kids for the upcoming semester but also instils a sense of preparation and control. Get your kids to do an inventory of all the items they have, categorising things by stuff they can reuse, purchase or fix. By incorporating your kid in this process, you give them the ability to take control of their readiness, laying the groundwork for a positive attitude when they return to school.

Have a Friendly Conversation

Recognise and resolve any potential stress or worry your kid may feel when returning to school. Start an open and courteous discourse about their issues. Reassure them that their feelings are completely normal and offer tales from your own life to show that everyone feels comparable emotions at times of change. By actively listening and empathising, you foster a supportive environment in which your kid can openly express their emotions and worries.

Encourage a positive outlook by emphasising the exciting elements of returning to school, such as reconnecting with friends, participating in extracurricular activities and learning new things. Express real interest in their academic lives. Enquire about their subjects and offer homework assistance. This engagement not only strengthens your bond but also instils a sense of enthusiasm for the upcoming school term. Read on further to find out more about how to conduct after-school chats here: ‘Connecting with Your Kids: After-School Chats’

Establish a Routine Early

Getting your child back into school mode can be a smooth transition if you start adjusting their schedule a few days before school begins. One of the most important things you can do is shift their bedtime and wake-up time gradually. If your child has been staying up late over the holidays, try moving their bedtime earlier by 15-30 minutes each night. This way, they’ll get used to waking up earlier, making the first day of school feel a lot more manageable.

Along with adjusting sleep, it’s also a good idea to begin shifting mealtimes. If their meals have been happening later than usual, start bringing them back to the times they’ll have during the school week. This helps regulate their internal clock and prevents hunger pangs during school hours.

Don’t forget about screen time! Over the holidays, it’s easy to let screens be part of the evening routine, but now is the time to get back to school-friendly hours. Setting limits on screen time and encouraging activities like reading or quiet play in the evening will help create a calming pre-bed routine and make the transition to school much smoother.

Set Up a Countdown

The transition from the relaxed days of vacation to the rigid routine of school can be difficult for kids. To ease the adjustment, consider establishing a visual back-to-school countdown. This can be a fun and interactive way for kids to visualise their upcoming return to the classroom.

A colourful calendar with daily countdown stickers can help younger kids stay engaged in the process. Older kids may opt to enter the date on their calendars, which allows them to actively track the time until school resumes. This visible depiction of time assists kids in mentally preparing for the transition, making the return to school less abrupt and more tolerable.

Make Their First Few Weeks Back Memorable

To help kids cope with the potential disappointment of moving from the carefree vacation atmosphere, try creating a special celebration to honour the end of their first school month. This provides recognition for their hard work in adjusting to the school schedule. This celebration can include a game night with family, a fun outing with friends, a delicious dinner at their favourite restaurant, a movie night, or even a trip to a nearby mini-golf course.

Incorporating a positive and entertaining activity not only gives your kid something to anticipate but also transforms the return to school into a more thrilling and less overwhelming experience. This optimistic approach nurtures the belief that school can be both informative and enjoyable.

Preparing for PSLE Throughout the School Year

Nadya Sharfina · January 3, 2024 · Leave a Comment

"Embrace the PSLE journey with strategic planning and best practices; watch your child thrive in their final year of primary school."

Is it PSLE year already? Where has the time gone, you wonder as your child leaves the house in their primary school uniform for their final year. As we approach the PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination) year, you might want to begin strategic planning for this critical academic challenge. Read on for some best practices and practical ideas that may significantly impact and improve your child’s PSLE preparation.

Get a Head Start

Begin your PSLE preparations early. Start practising with past year papers to see where your child stands, and in order to find out which areas of improvement to concentrate on. Early preparation not only helps your child to do well academically, but it also teaches them discipline and a routine that will come in handy during the exam period.

Adopt general study skills early in the year, in addition to subject-specific preparation. Teach your child how to manage their time effectively, take useful notes, and stay organised. Teach them not to be afraid to ask for help, and to treat learning as an ongoing process rather than a last-minute sprint. Developing these habits early on allows kids to approach education with a well-rounded attitude that lasts throughout the year and extends beyond exams.

Make a Solid Study Plan

A well-organised study plan will serve as a guide while students prepare for the PSLE. It aids in maintaining attention and accountability. Prioritise subjects where your child may need extra assistance while still allowing enough time to revise each subject. Avoid last-minute cramming in favour of a well-balanced method of regular reviewing, consistent practice, and occasional revision. This not only improves memory but also reduces tension, resulting in a more positive attitude toward learning.

Learn how to develop effective goals. To make large study goals more manageable, divide them into smaller activities. Keep track of your child’s progress and recognise little accomplishments along the road. Feeling accomplished encourages kids to continue working on their preparations. Also, ensure that your child participates in the creation of the study plan, tailoring it to their learning style and preferences. This collaborative method empowers your child to cultivate a lifetime passion for learning.

Use Breaks Wisely

Take breaks to do extensive revision across multiple courses. However, it is not only about academics; make time for relaxation and family time as well. A relaxed mind absorbs and retains material more effectively, allowing you to face the PSLE with confidence.

The Pomodoro Technique

Consider incorporating the Pomodoro technique into your child’s study routine. The Pomodoro approach divides your child’s study time into small, focused chunks of 25 minutes each, followed by a 5-minute rest. This systematic technique can improve focus and productivity while reducing burnout and enhancing their study experience. Experiment with various durations to see what works best for your child, and remember to use the breaks to stretch or refresh their mind.

Eat That Frog

The ‘Eat That Frog’ technique can be effective as well, especially when it comes to prioritising and conquering challenging tasks early in the day. This method encourages tackling the most challenging and important tasks first thing. By addressing their most difficult subjects or assignments first, it will set a positive tone for the remainder of the day and help kids to avoid procrastinating.

Embrace Visual Aids

When studying for the PSLE, visual aids are your best friend. Work with your child to create mind maps, graphs, and charts for each subject to help retain complicated knowledge. Making visual representations actively engages the mind in the learning process, allowing students to gain a better comprehension of the content. You can also employ technology, such as apps, to generate interactive visualisations to spice up your child’s study routine. Check out ‘5 Ways to Take Better Notes in Class’. Variety keeps kids engaged and aids in the retention of information. Practice Exam Conditions

Practising test settings is critical for PSLE preparation. To imitate the actual exam setting, schedule timed practice sessions for each subject. This allows kids to become acquainted with the pressure and time limits, boosting their confidence in their talents. During these practice runs, kids will learn to manage their time wisely and devise a strategy for each component of the exam. After each practice, get your child to reflect by considering their performance, finding areas for development, and recognizing their talents. Each practice session becomes a useful learning experience as a result of this reflecting process, sharpening their techniques and increasing their readiness for the actual exam day.

Think Positive

Be aware of the psychological part of PSLE preparation. Spend some time practising positive visualisation. Remind your child of their triumphs on mock exams—what tactics worked well, and how can they apply these skills in the real exams? You can raise their confidence and lessen exam anxiety by getting them to recall their earlier accomplishments. Extend this activity to include picturing the full exam day. Envision a calm and concentrated mindset, good problem-solving, and the joy of confidently completing each segment. Positive imagery cultivates resilience and a proactive approach to adversity.

Balance is Key

While scoring well on tests is vital, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also essential. Remember to get your child to participate in physical activities and hobbies outside of class. A five-hour study session may appear productive, but a balanced lifestyle will keep them rejuvenated, energised, and better able to concentrate when they hit the books.. Get your kids to collaborate in the creation of their schedules, giving them the ability to control their time and activities. Balancing academics and recreational activities improves study efficiency and mental health. Remember that a healthy mind in a healthy body is the cornerstone for long-term success.

Effective preparation for the PSLE demands a proactive and well-rounded approach. By integrating these elements into the PSLE preparation journey, you can navigate the challenges with confidence and optimise your performance.

How to Set Goals and Achieve Them in the New School Year

Nadya Sharfina · December 28, 2023 · Leave a Comment

“A new school year is a voyage; goals act as our compass, offering direction and purpose, guiding us through challenges, nurturing focus beyond grades, and building resilience for life’s unexpected turns.”

Starting a new school year feels like embarking on a major trip. Creating goals is the way to chart out a milestone map. Goals provide us with a feeling of direction and purpose, ensuring that we are not simply wandering through the school year. Whether it’s studying for exams, developing as a person, or participating in extracurricular activities, goals keep us focused and motivated. It’s not just about obtaining good grades; it’s about developing the ability to deal with whatever life throws at us.

Understanding Goals

Have you wondered what goals mean? People frequently use the word “goal” synonymously with phrases like “dreams” and “expectations.” Dreams can become goals, but they are not the same thing. Dreams, which usually come from our deepest wishes, live in the world of imagination.

Goals and expectations are also not the same thing. Assume you want to achieve at least 3 A1s or more this semester. There are expectations, such as attending all classes, scheduling particular study hours, seeking assistance when needed, and submitting assignments on time. However, let’s face it, expectations don’t always match up with reality.

A goal can be defined as a set result that is envisioned and planned for with a commitment made to achieving it. It is useful to give yourself a deadline in order to ensure that the goal is reached within a finite time period. Goals serve as a guide, guiding us through the difficult areas of life, school, and personal development.

Steps to Help You Set Effective Goals

Setting effective goals demands an organised approach. Here are some thoughtful measures to assist you with this task:

Step 1: Make a Plan

Once you’ve determined your goal, the first step is to develop a precise plan. This plan should detail the things you need to complete and when you need to complete them. For example, if you want to increase your academic performance, it’s important to create a schedule for studying and doing homework.

Step 2: Break Down the Goal

Instead of hurrying, divide your big goal into smaller, more achievable chunks. This not only makes it easier to achieve, but it also keeps you motivated by breaking down your path into manageable steps.

Step 3: Create a Resource List

Achieving goals frequently necessitates the use of tools and resources. Planners, websites, YouTube videos, books, or even movies can all be extremely beneficial.

Here are some excellent motivational books and films to get you started:

The Magic of Thinking Big, by David J. Schwartz: This book emphasises the importance of cultivating a positive mindset, setting ambitious goals, and taking action to turn those goals into reality. It encourages readers to believe in their abilities, overcome fear and procrastination, and develop habits that contribute to success.
How to Calm Your Mind, by Chris Bailey: This book assists readers in being more productive during stressful situations. Author Chris Bailey, who personally experienced stress, burnout, and fatigue, discusses how finding calm and reducing mental load may lead to a more fulfilling existence. His book can help people become more involved and focused.
The Blind Side (2009): The film emphasizes the theme of nurturing and support in helping someone achieve their goals. It showcases the transformative journey of Michael Oher, who goes from being homeless and struggling to finding success as a skilled football player.
The Swimmers (2022): It’s a biographical drama movie about two young sisters who fled their home country of Syria in 2015 when their house was destroyed during the civil war. Their goal was to compete in two swimming events at the Rio Olympics as part of the Refugee Olympic team. This story will inspire you to set goals and to see them through despite the setbacks that you face.

Step 4: Make Some Ground Rules

Setting some ground rules for yourself is necessary for staying focused. These principles serve as guidelines, ensuring that you stay on course and avoid distractions. Creating and sticking to personal guidelines is critical to achieving your goal.

Consider creating a Time Management Rule to ensure productivity by allocating certain time slots for study sessions and minimising breaks. Another important rule is the Technology Distraction Rule, which advises you to keep electronic gadgets on mute and to set up specific times to check messages to avoid continual interruptions. A Task Prioritization Rule, which entails creating daily or weekly to-do lists that highlight critical tasks and priorities, can also be effective. By following these ground rules, you can enhance your ability to focus and increase your chances of achieving your goals.

Step 5: Stay Motivated

It is critical to maintain motivation during the challenging process of reaching a goal. Achieving success on a specific test, for example, can be one of these small victories in an academic context. Don’t be quick to give up if you receive a low score on exams or assignments. You can feel sad or engage in activities to heal yourself but don’t linger too long. Time passes quickly, and you have many things to do if you want to achieve your goals.

Step 6: Set Up a Deadline

When you set a specific endpoint for achieving your objective, it helps you stay organised and feel a sense of urgency. Knowing that there is a visible finish line inspires you to keep working hard and keeps you inspired throughout the road. A deadline can help you put your objective into a more planned and attainable strategy, making the path to accomplishment clearer and more doable.

Step 7: Track Progress

Checking your progress regularly is critical in the goal-setting process. This entails establishing milestones, or points at which you can see how far you’ve progressed. Setting a goal for a specific grade on an upcoming test, for example, can be a way to measure your progress if you want to improve academically.

Why Setting Goals is Important for You

Reason 1: Goals Maintain Your Progress

Having goals is similar to having a road map for our dreams. They assist us in determining where we are headed and why. It’s like a small push that keeps us motivated and focused so we can always make progress, whether in school or in other areas of our lives.

Reason 2: Goals Conquer Big Challenges.

We all have big dreams, don’t we? They can appear difficult at times, like ascending a massive mountain. However, goals are like breaking down a large mountain into smaller slopes. It makes things less frightening and allows us to enjoy each stride we take. It’s not about doing everything all at once; it’s about conquering little by little.

Reason 3: Goals Promote Accountability

Goals hold us accountable for our actions. We are more likely to stay on track when we set goals with concrete plans. It’s similar to assuring ourselves that we’ll get things done. This teaches us excellent habits and how to manage our time and decisions.

Goals motivate you to strive for excellence.

Reason 4: Goals Challenge You

They’re like a friendly competition with ourselves. We are inspired to accomplish better when we aim high. It’s not only about grades; it’s about becoming a better person, stretching our limits, and feeling satisfied with what we can do.

Reason 5: Goals Prepare You for Adulthood

Setting goals is a valuable ability to have as you grow older. It is for life, not only for school. When we learn how to develop and achieve goals, we are preparing for adulthood. It prepares us to face obstacles, make wise decisions, and succeed in whatever we choose to do next. It’s like our future secret weapon.

In conclusion, setting goals is a smart and strategic process. By planning carefully, breaking goals into doable steps, using resources wisely, setting personal rules, staying motivated, adding deadlines, and regularly checking progress, we can work towards success. Whether it’s improving grades or pursuing a different goal, these phases provide us with a road map to follow. As we use these ideas, we not only increase our chances of success but also develop talents that will benefit us in many aspects of our lives. Remember that while obtaining a goal is essential, so is the journey, and understanding how to create objectives is a skill that will serve us well throughout our lives.

Things to Remember for the First Day of School

Nadya Sharfina · December 26, 2023 · Leave a Comment

"Coming back to school after a relaxed holiday is more than a return to routine—it's a shift from vacation mode to academic focus."

As a returning student, starting a new school year entails more than just moving up a grade. It is a journey of confronting new obstacles and growing. Transitioning from a peaceful holiday vacation to an organised school routine requires preparation. This article will provide you and your kid with guidelines for an outstanding school year.

1. Catch Up on Assignments

As the holiday season comes to an end, help your kid catch up on any missed assignments. Create a plan for completing these tasks so that they can enter the new school year with confidence and having fulfilled all academic responsibilities.

Set up an isolated study room or nook at home for your kid to concentrate on their homework. Create a schedule that incorporates breaks and rewards to make the task a bit easier and more productive. By turning catching up on assignments into an excellent and collaborative activity, you set the tone for a proactive attitude towards learning.

2. Open Communication About Feelings

Begin an open and supportive discussion about your kid’s feelings regarding the upcoming school year. Discuss their hopes, interests, and potential concerns. Dive further into their feelings by asking specific questions about areas of school life that may be generating concern. Address any worries kids may have, such as the potential of bullying, difficult subjects, or teachers who may not understand them. Assure them that if circumstances like these happen, they can always talk to you, emphasising your availability as a supporting ally.

Tailor your comfort and counsel to their requirements, building a sense of stability that will accompany them as they navigate the social and academic obstacles of the new grade.

3. Establish a Morning Routine

Help your kid develop a morning routine that goes beyond the basics. Encourage self-care activities like mindful moments or short exercises, and emphasise the importance of consuming a nutritious breakfast. If you’re looking for the best ideas for healthy food that your kids will love, check out ‘Smart Food Choices for Kids During Exams.’ Get them to organise their uniform and school supplies the night before to ensure a smooth start every day.

Discuss the value of having a morning routine in creating a happy mentality and being prepared for the day ahead. Instil the importance of consistency, self-discipline, and life skills that extend beyond the classroom.

4. Back-to-School Shopping

Explore the world of back-to-school shopping with your kid. Turn the seemingly boring task of purchasing school supplies into a pleasurable ritual. Allow your kid to express their style and preferences when selecting school supplies; cute notebooks and stationery can add a boost to note-taking during learning. Additionally, consider buying them new shoes, a backpack, or a lunch box. This annual tradition can be exciting because it marks the start of a new school adventure.

5. Plan for Transportation

Discuss your kid’s transportation options, whether it’s getting a bus pass or arranging drop-off plans. Make the trip to the bus station or drop-off location a known and comfortable part of their routine. Communicate security protocols and guidelines with them to ensure they are confident and prepared for their daily travel.

Remind them to text you whenever they have a study group or just hang out with friends after school so that they may come home late. This will teach them responsible communication, trust, and transparency.

6. Encourage a Passion Project

Enhance your kid’s school experience by encouraging them to work on a passion project throughout the year. Whether it’s their hobbies, something they enjoy doing creatively, an extracurricular activity, or a personal goal, devoting time to their interests outside of the classroom aids with a well-rounded and happy educational journey.

Work with your kid to find their interest and develop a plan to pursue it. This ongoing effort serves as a source of inspiration, instilling a sense of purpose and accomplishment that transcends school accomplishments.

7. Set Goals for Your Kid

Encourage your kid to develop reasonable and attainable goals as the school year begins. Collaborate with them to write these goals down in a special journal or planner.

Take it a step further by making an achievement goal board together. This can be a visual representation of what they want to achieve and this board can act as a continual reminder and motivation. Encourage your kid to set goals related to character development, time management, or extracurricular activities. This holistic approach guarantees that your kid focuses on their whole growth and well-being, producing a balanced and enriching experience.

In conclusion, as you work through these steps with your kid, you are not only preparing for the first day of school, but also building the framework for a year full of development, discovery, and memorable moments. Approach this voyage with curiosity, enthusiasm, and the assurance that comes from thoughtful preparation.