It’s that time of the year again, the end of the late and lazy mornings and unplanned days. It’s the start of the early mornings, rushed drop-offs, scheduled extra-curricular activities, chasing homework deadlines and early nights. No more staying up late to watch a family movie munching popcorn and sipping fizzy drinks.
As much as we look forward to some sanity and routine, it can take a bit of settling into, when getting back to school can begin to sound like the creaky joints that rebel against the machines in the gym. I speak from experience after the indulgent summer months.
So it might be a good idea to ease your child and yourself with a few practical arrangements in advance of the start of the new academic year.
When a plant begins to wilt, you don’t tape the leaves back together, you inspect the soil and whether the plant is getting adequate water and sunshine. In the same way, to best support your child’s marathon academic year, you need to spend some time analysing his environment and replenishing it so that he sets off on the right foot.
Parents pay a lot of attention to new school bags and books at the beginning of the new academic year, but it is also equally important to sort out your child’s working and playing environment. Spring cleaning has got its name for that very reason!
An organised desk helps to create the right energy for your child to study and stay focused. Instead of struggling to find his books and stationery, if he has a place for everything, then it not only helps him stay focused but also teaches him how organisation can lead to good time management.
Of course it’s not all about academics and homework. It is also for him to make the most of his time, whether it is around school work or pure play. Depending on the age of your child, you could help him or he could independently sort out his play area and toys so that he can access them easily giving him more time to play.
And for the first couple of weeks, gently remind him to put things back from where he picks them, whether it is his schoolbooks, bags, uniforms, shoes or toys. Remind yourself that your child will forget and fall out of these habits sooner rather than later, but it is your job to keep repeating and reminding so that you help him develop some basic habits that will help him build on his organisational and time management skills.
Parents returning to work will also struggle with getting back into hurried and structured days so you would do well to create a timetable that includes as much information about your and your child’s day so that there are no forgotten deadlines at work and missed parent-teacher meetings. A wall-mounted monthly calendar with every possible detail will help to keep every member in the family informed of each other’s whereabouts and other important occasions.
Preparation is the key to success.
This is an interactive column on parenting skills and child behaviour. If you have a query, write to tabloid@gulfnews.com
— Sunaina Vohra is a certified Youth and Family Life Coach at Athena Life Coaching in Dubai. For more information log on to www.athenalifecoaching.com or call 056-1399033.
