4 Ways to Make Sure Your Child Has a Successful School Year!

Now that school is in session, here are four ways to make sure the excitement lasts:

1. Why it pays to make sure your children feel happy, healthy, and connected…and what the risks are if they don’t:

This may seem like common sense, but sometimes children are too shy or embarrassed to express how they feel about certain things. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests parents to encourage their child to talk openly with them, their teachers, counselors, and other school staff about his or her ideas, needs, and worries. CDC research also shows that students who feel a genuine sense of belonging at school are more likely to do well in school, stay in school, and make healthy choices. The CDC also provides a great list of ideas on how to increase your child’s feeling of connection to their school.
If your child doesn’t feel well, they won’t be able to perform well. After a summer of exciting vacations, playing with friends, and being outdoors – it is a good idea to make sure their health is in check so they can start the school year off strong. If your child has been outdoors and has gotten insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac; to avoid the continual itching, Blue-Emu makes a great Anti-Itch cream that can help. Also, did you know The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) developed a set of comprehensive health guidelines for well-child care? The program is called Bright Futures and parents can conveniently print out and complete these pre-visit questionnaires at home and take them to your child’s next check-up. You can find the health guidelines and printable questionnaires here.

2. Giving your child more responsibilities can make your day (and them!) more successful:

Your children are a year older this back-to-school season, making it the perfect time to consider new chores or responsibilities they can take on. Parents may often jump in and “help” just to get things done faster or better – even when your child is fully able to perform the task alone. Let them! It empowers them and makes them feel more independent. Even simple tasks such as making their own lunch or buckling themselves into and out of their car seat can prove to be beneficial. The Center for Parenting Education discusses how allowing your child to do chores they are safely able to complete independently, contributes to greater success in school. This takes some to-do’s off your list as well!

When school starts back, so do the whirlwind of events. This can be overwhelming for both parents AND children. A helpful hint is to start a routine a week or more BEFORE school starts, this helps your child get back into the rhythm of what to expect. This means setting a bed time, a time to wake-up, and setting a limit on screen time before bed. You can even go ahead and start helping your child pick out their outfit for the next day the night before. A little extra work at night can cut down on the morning chaos.
Are you someone who couldn’t live without their planner? Did you know that they make planners for almost every age group now? Using a planner can help you feel prepared and getting your child a planner will do the same for them. Have them set down with you as you plan for the week, this allows you to model organizational skills with your child, while also spending special designated time with them.

According to Richard Carlson, Ph.D., author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, we have to realize that chaos is part of life. Then we must realize our own contribution to it. That is the only part we can control.
To sum it up, gearing back up for school doesn’t have to be overwhelming for you or your child. Love them, encourage them, and be there for them as they begin to navigate their way through another exciting school year.