Getting ready for the new school year can be exciting – and sometimes a little scary. It’s fun to think about spending time with friends after the long summer. However, some students get a little anxious, especially if they are going to a new school or moving up into middle or high school.
These 5 tips will calm nerves and help you and your student settle back into the school routine:
Back-to-School Shopping
Shopping for new school clothes and supplies is a great way to build enthusiasm. Look through your child’s wardrobe and plan to replace items that are looking extra “loved.” It’s also a good idea to see if your student has had a growth spurt over the summer. The last thing a kid wants is to walk into school the first day in pants that are too short.
Checking out the school supply situation before school starts can save time and stress later. Many schools post supply lists on their websites, so you’ll know exactly what will be needed. If there are no lists available, think about the basics: pencils, markers, binders, spiral notebooks, etc. Then plan a shopping day or two with your student.
Ease Into the School Day Schedule
When summer days are relaxed, it’s common for kids to stay up later in the evenings and wake later in the mornings. Waiting until the first day of school to set a new sleep/wake schedule will make the first week more difficult for everyone.
Begin establishing a school-day schedule a couple of weeks before school starts. Send your child to bed 15-20 minutes earlier and wake them 15-20 minutes earlier, then adjust the times every few days to ease your student into the routine.
Establish a Study Space
Before your child comes home with homework, set up a designated study space. Whether it’s a spare room or an area of a room used for other purposes, having a dedicated workspace will provide structure. With your child, decide where homework will be done, help them determine what supplies are needed, and let your student personalize the area with posters, art, and other non-distracting items. If your child feels the space is theirs, they will be ready to work.
Read and Play Learning Games
If you aren’t doing so already, now is the time to encourage reading and learning activities. Take your child to the library or bookstore and let them choose books that pique their interest. If your child is younger, spend time everyday reading with and to your student. And you don’t have to stop reading to your child when they can read on their own. Reading with children throughout elementary and even middle school helps with vocabulary and comprehension.
Choosing games and play-based learning activities is another way to keep your student’s brain engaged through the summer months. Board games and card games involving reading, counting, and reasoning/logic will keep your child exercising their brain while they play. If it’s a struggle to get your student away from video/computer games, introduce them to websites like coolmathgames.com or, if they haven’t found it already, MineCraft. These games use math, logic, and spatial skills – and they’re fun.
Start Tutoring Now
Summer is the perfect time for your student to brush up on skills and/or subjects they find more challenging. The professional instructors at Learning Lab can work with you and your student to determine areas needing strengthening, set learning goals, and develop a personalized plan to fit your student’s needs. Whether they need assistance with reading, math, or test preparation, we have a proven track record of helping students succeed.
Learning Lab also has a full schedule of summer learning camps for pre-kindergarten through high school. We offer a variety of programs, including Kindergarten Readiness, Learning Bridge (to close any reading or math gaps), Courses for Credit (for middle/high school students who may want to get ahead or lighten their course load), Test Prep, Back to School Study Skills, and more.
As you and your student are gearing up for the new school year, consider Learning Lab your partner for back-to-school success!
Is Traditional School No Longer Working For Your Family?
Over the last several years, families have started opting for non-traditional educational solutions including online learning, one-on-one instruction, and blended learning. Those options are becoming even more popular in today’s unique educational landscape. At Gateway Academy… that’s what we do! Our approach for each student increases confidence as well as academic skills, which reduces school anxiety and stress for the whole family.
Gateway Academy is an accredited K-12 private school, with campuses in Brentwood & Nashville, TN. Our school will provide your student with a learning environment specifically geared to meet their individual needs: most classrooms here are classrooms of one student and in some cases small groups of up to five students.
In our customized model, your student will follow a unique and personalized curriculum based upon their specific needs, strengths, talents, and interests. Whether your student needs to catch up, get ahead, or simply take a break from the traditional school setting, Gateway Academy is where they can help direct their education, learn at their pace, and pursue their unique pathway to academic and life success.
Learning Lab
To learn more about Learning Lab and how we can help your student visit our site for more information.
5500 Maryland Way Suite 110, Brentwood, TN 37027
2416 21st Ave S Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37212
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