Like any sport, getting youngsters off the sofa and primed for a new school year takes dedication, focus and a commitment to never giving up. Yes, there will be physical challenges and maybe a few tears, but if you want to be viewed as a prime parental athlete, now is the time to up your game. Thankfully, we have put together some top coaching tips for mums and dads in the UAE.
Qualify to compete (and pass the medicals)
You cannot compete if you’re not properly signed up. So, one month before term starts make sure your child is fully registered, particularly if he or she is going to a new school. Fill out all the school forms and turn them in before they get lost in the shuffle of other paperwork. For private schools you may need to check all your payments are correct and received. Also, many kids need certain immunisations before school starts, so find out if you require medical forms to be signed by your child’s doctor. Get medical checklists from your child’s school — many post them on their websites.
Get an events calendar
An Olympic-type undertaking requires good planning. As soon as you can, get a copy of the new school year calendar; most schools release them way ahead of term time. Read through the calendar and highlight any key dates such as school conferences, parent orientation, school holidays, late-start, and early-release days. If you keep a family calendar, transfer all these dates on to it so you aren’t caught on the hop later on.
Practise, practise, practise!
Medal winners will tell you the key to success is practice. To help ensure you and your children are ready to go back to school, the most important thing is to establish a routine again. Fiona McKenzie, Director of Middle East at consultancy Gabbitas Education, advises: “After a few weeks of later bedtimes and lie-ins, start to pull the bedtime back by a little bit each day leading up to the start of term and the children will hardly notice. It also helps to start getting them up a little bit earlier each morning to make sure that 6am start on Sunday is not too much of a shock.”
Work on mental training
In sport and in life, mental sharpness is everything. A tip for helping children settle back into a learning mindset is to keep their brains engaged during the holidays. “Cut down on screen time and introduce activities focused around reading together, playing word games and mental arithmetic,” says McKenzie. “You can do this in a fun and interactive way to keep them interested.”
Get familiar with the field
Checking out the playing facilities offers an advantage. If it is a new term in a new school, visit a couple of weeks before term with your offspring. Find your child’s classroom, look for the cafeteria, bathroom, gym, outdoor playground and front office. Anxiety goes down when kids get the chance to walk around a school before it starts. For those entering middle school or high school, have them go through their schedule with you.
Ensure you’ve got the right equipment
You can’t win the 100 metres wearing snowshoes, so get the right equipment. Dubai expat mum Nausheen Shamsher from India has a 7-year-old daughter; she says going to pick up new school gear a week or two before term is both a bonding experience and a good way to set the back-to-business tone. “We shop for school supplies together, but I let my daughter pick her own lunch box, backpack and so on — this is a great way to give her a little responsibility too. With time, I have realised that sorting practical needs in advance can lead to a smooth transition to the new school year.”
Mix with up-and-comers
Friendly interaction with other teams is never a bad thing, so plan some play dates for your child before school starts. Often kids get disconnected from their school friends during the summer because they don’t see them every day. Help them reconnect by inviting old school friends over.
Create a technical training area
Great sportspeople need to do proper study off-field too. Find a place for your kids to do homework such as a desk in their room and help them set it up with supplies. If it’s a shared space, create a folder or box where they can keep track of their homework supplies. Set up a homework time now and get kids in the habit of reading books during that time so that when school starts, they’re ready to begin doing homework again.
Develop stress-relief tactics
Winning or losing starts in the mind. Since starting a new school term can be an anxious time for children, why not create a step-by-step guide to calming down? It should cover what they need to do when they first feel anxiety coming on. If breathing helps them, then the first step is to pause and breathe. Next step, they can evaluate the situation. In the end, you can create a hard copy checklist for your child to refer to when they feel stressed out.
Be ready for the starting block
Congrats, you’re nearly ready for the games! However, being prepared in the small last-minute details will make a big difference. UK parenting expert Sue Atkins has become known for extolling the virtues of having kids’ packed lunch ready the night before and getting them to help their parents make it. Also have shoes ready by the door and backpacks prepared in advance. “These are simple strategies to get out the door faster, less frazzled and smiling first thing in the morning,” she says. “Children thrive when they know what to expect and what they have to do. Implementing a morning routine will make them feel secure and prepared for the day ahead. Even more importantly, it will make your life a little less complicated and more enjoyable!”
