All parents want their child to be happy in the school they choose for them. What some parents may not realise is that every family can play a role in how their child settles at school and continues to flourish.
It is wonderful as a parent to feel empowered. Here are some guidelines:
Ensure that your child has a good night’s sleep. Children up to Grade 6 should be in bed by 8pm and sleeping by 8:30pm. This can be a big struggle for some families for many different reasons. For working parents, it can be taxing to tick all the boxes in a small amount of time. A good nighttime routine can take about 14 days to become a habit, so do not give up! It could look like this: Dinner, wind down time with a de-stressing play time, bath time, story time (maximum two stories) and a cuddle and kiss and then lights out or dimmed and sleep time.
Be strict about regular routine. Try to keep surprises or “out of the ordinary” for birthdays and celebrations only and keep their routines predictable and consistent. Routine makes children feel safe!
Insist that your child eats a good breakfast. A car requires petrol and a body requires nutrition. When chatting to teachers they will often tell you how some children can really struggle to settle in to their day and suddenly after break they are more tuned in and ready for work. This is simply because they have been hungry and grumpy all morning. Some families do have to leave home very early. A snack-type breakfast can still give your child what they require. A health bar, bowl of berries or even a boiled egg can still kick start your child’s nutrition for the day.
Be punctual. Coming late to school can be incredibly stressful for your child. When a family is late it already means that the morning has been a frazzled one where everyone rushes around and everyone is feeling stressed. For a young Grade 1 to arrive to the class once everyone has already been settled, and have to make a “grand entrance” can be very daunting. Especially to a child that is very shy.
Pack a balanced lunch, even if it’s not the school’s requirements. Berries are great – low in sugar and great for brainpower. Add some protein and a healthy carbohydrate, as well as lots of water. Don’t feel the need to give your child juice or soft drinks – make that a Friday treat. On a Friday, your child can look forward to some unhealthy snacks/treats and a juice. A healthy lunch equals a healthy day!
Help your child to keep a checklist for the week. Empower them from Grade 1. DO NOT pack their bag for them. Be with them but allow them to do it. So, at the beginning of the year set up their schedule of activities for every day, write it out and have it up in their cupboard. Then sit on the bed and say “right tomorrow is Wednesday. What do you need to pack on Wednesday?” This way, by the time your child gets to Grade 3, he/she can manage their own schedule and feel secure in approaching their day at school. Practice makes perfect!
Be aware that your feelings and what you say about school, their teacher or principal impacts how your child feels too. There will be times when you are not in agreement with your child’s teacher. Never speak in a disrespectful manner about them. It is incredibly important that you do not disempower your child’s teacher as he/she spends a lot of time daily with your child and is in a partnership with you to bring out the best in your child. If you ever disagree with how they have approached something, let them know in private.
As parents, we cannot control everything. However, with the above guidelines parents can control and the impact will be a very positive one and give your child a very positive start to their school day.
By Lariaan Claassens, Head of Operations at Hamptons Primary School.
Visit www.hamptonsprimaryschool.co.za.