With only a few days left,
you should be prepared to welcome the school year which officially
will start on June 1 and will end on April 1, 2016 based on the issuance of
Department Order No. 9, s from the Department of Education.
I am sure, not only are the kids excited yet groaning
at the same time but most especially you, parents. Or maybe it already started the time you spared a
chunk of money when you enrolled your kiddos? Yeah, I got you fellas!
Being a parent, it is a great influence henceforth to
start creating a positive mind set to be instilled to your kids especially
towards their attitude this new school year. As early as now, you have to let
them understand that the remaining days of idleness and vacation time is over
and for them to be excited and confident instead towards being back to school,
accumulating and learning a wider scope of knowledge, being back with their friends
and group, and the potential of meeting and gaining new friends (for first
timers, or transferees) in order to boost their performance both socially and
academically.
The
transition can be a little bit off for children especially due to the adjustment to greater levels of school activities, pressures associated with school life again like assignments, exams, the demands of the subjects, quizzes, projects, etc.)
and to parents due to expenses like tuition fees, books, projects and
listening or dealing with your kids’ difficulties and frustrations with their
lessons or subjects among others.
Here are some reminders that you can consider to make the state of transitioning a smooth ride for you and your
children:
1. Invest in health. Before the school
year starts, it will be a great idea to schedule your kid for a pediatrician and
dentist check up. Most of the time, a lot of kids will miss their classes in
the midst of the school year due to sickness. A lot of time, those
absences will lead them from missing lessons which will result to missing
homework and a higher chance of a lower score in exams. These definitely will
affect their grades. It is a domino effect.
Most parents in the Philippines skip this opportunity of ensuring health for their
kids when in fact this is the most beneficial as it gives the chance to
identify any potential health issues even before the classes start. Try to ask
for flu shots and other immunization shots for your kids.
2. Allocation for possible school-related
expenses. This is something you always have to be watchful about. These are the unexpected
miscellaneous expenses (in order not to be surprised about it). During the time
that the school’s out, there should at least be a piggy bank, or a cash fund
intended already for this school year.
Always, and I’ll repeat, always make it
a point to spare a certain amount of money every payday or every time you earn
your income just to be prepared rather than to panic when it is already in your
face and what you will do is to borrow money from relatives, friends and acquaintances.
Be responsible and sensitive. They too have a lot of expenses to think about so
don’t add up to the pile. Do an advanced budgeting.
3. Setting back the “schedules that need to be
strictly followed.” That includes turning off the TV, minimal time for
online access and video games, and when will be the bed time, homework time, and meal time. This will create a clearer line and for stricter obedience so they will also adapt to the mindset that yes, school year is something
to be taken seriously.
4. Make sure that you have all the
information. Make copies of the materials provided when you had your kids
enrolled. These include information
about your child’s teacher, classroom
number, school supply requirements (P.E uniforms, books), any after-school
sports and activities, school calendar dates, school transportation (if
provided by the school) health and emergency contact numbers, and others.
It is great
if you accompany your kids to visit the school (if he is young or just new to
the school) so you can check and locate his classrooms, locker area, pantry
area and for him to familiarize himself to the new environment. This will help
your kid in easing out pre-school anxieties, too.
5. Be supportive. This I believe is often
the neglected part. There is an intense, overwhelming demand of being a student
and juggling that all-in is definitely a stressful thing to do, so don’t add up
with the pressure that your kid is already dealing with. Most of the kids will complain
how unsupportive their parents are when it comes to their schooling and is often even being scolded for running late or for not helping with the household
chores when in fact, your kids are already extremely exhausted.
We were kids too, before. We know how hard it is to study. So try to reinforce your children’s
ability to cope by being there by their side instead.
Bear in mind
that these are kids, they are our kids. And we are letting them learn how to understand the bigger
picture and to let them blossom and fly on their own. Education is the greatest
weapon that we can hand to our children for them to overcome the hardship of
life. So let your children know you care, every step of the way.
Children
absorb their parent’s anxiety, so be vigilant of your own attitude and try to model
optimism and confidence for your child. Give your kid the attention that he
needs. Encourage him to know how to schedule and budget the time so it will not
be stressful for him to juggle things. Incorporate a peaceful home for a
greater concentration on schoolwork. Back him up with activities that can be
fun and educational at the same time. Be a friend.
Happy school year, parents! and I salute you
beforehand. Congratulations!
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