Many thanks to Parent Advisor Chris Phyland for sharing some great strategies for preparing kids to have a positive schooling year.
Some examples included;
• Help your child ensure all school-based equipment & materials are ready and available every school day
• Is your child’s schedule overloaded? Ensure their daily personal timetable is manageable
• Home routines are set, reliable and in place before the start of school year
• Shop thoughfully for a Healthy diet for body & mind.
• Appropriate amount of sleep daily. (9-11 hours daily for 6-13 year-olds. 8-10 hours daily for 14-17 year-olds.
• Recreation / quiet & creative time is locked in
• Regular family / community time to keep your child connected
• Physical fitness. Children need to ‘move’ every day.
Learning
• Demonstrate interest in and awareness of their school-based curriculum
• Shared reading of year level literature for discussion at home
• Home-based discussions about life, current affairs & curriculum-based topics
• Encourage your child’s area of passion
• Time with friends, family & community is planned and prioritised
• Meal times are family gathering times. Screens off and conversation turned on
• Limited online social activity appropriate for age. If screen time gets in the way of sleep, homework, socialising, play or other healthy pursuits – it’s too much.
• Encourage ‘play dates’, shared experiences, team sports
