SETTLEMENT

| PARENTING | 9 back-to-school tips

To prepare your children — and yourself — for school

Starting a new school year can be full of excitement and apprehension at the same time, for both parents and their children. Here are nine tips for getting ready for school this fall.

1. Communicate openly with children Take time to listen and talk to your children about their feelings. Encourage them to ask questions and answer any concerns they have about starting school. Let them know that their feelings and concerns are normal. starts. Also, talk to your child about the school and basic classroom rules to help children feel more comfortable and confident about their first day.

5. Adjust to new schedules and routines Get ready for the school schedule by establishing regular routines at home, weeks before school starts. Set an earlier bedtime and wakeup time, as well as homework and extracurricular schedules to help children ease into their new schedule.

2. Ensure children are ready to learn Prior to the start of school, find ways to stimulate children’s learning to keep their minds sharp and ready to learn in school. Whether it is reading, writing or travelling, encourage children to always strive to learn new things, even when class is not in session.

3. Get necessary school supplies Buying all the supplies needed for school can help build excitement about starting school. In addition to typical supplies such as pencils and paper (get the list of required supplies from the school), remember to also be ready with appropriate school attire and healthy lunches.

4. Familiarize them with the school environment If it’s a new school, visit the school a few times before school actually

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7. Empower children to problem-solve Give children some strategies to anticipate and handle challenges that might arise in school, such as bullying. Brainstorm potential “what if” scenarios, role play with your child, discuss possible problem-solving methods, and identify who they can turn to for additional help and support.

8. Make meaningful connections Reaching out to other parents in your community or neighbourhood can be helpful. You can gather many useful tips about after-school activities or where to shop for school supplies. It is also a great opportunity to connect your child to other classmates before school begins.

9. Focus on the positives Encourage children to focus their thoughts and energy on the many amazing and exciting things that they can anticipate in starting school. Just imagine all the new friends they will meet, great teachers who will inspire them, the incredible lessons they will learn in school and so much more. Starting school is a very big step for a child, and preparation is the key to success.

Cheryl Song, an immigrant from Malaysia, has more than , an immigrant from Malaysia, has more than 10 years’ experience of working in childhood education 10 years’ experience of working in childhood education and family programs.