Cherie Gough
Get Back into a
School Groove
12 tips to establish a new routine After an unprecedented year with most kids schooling from home, families largely fall into two categories: those who can’t wait to get back to regular, full-time school and those who would rather stay home. Regardless of which side of the fence you’re on, the transition may be tough on kids. Here are suggestions to help you and your children build habits for a positive new school year. Practice and Motivate Consistently practicing good habits helps kids build willpower to successfully tackle challenges. According to Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, dozens of studies show that self-discipline has a bigger effect on academic performance than intellectual talent. Duhigg reports the most successful habits include a written plan followed by specific routines.
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Set small, manageable goals using a planner and celebrate wins with rewards. “Anything you can do to help your children practice independence, even chores, will help them gain the confidence they need for school,” says Coreen Jacobson, English teacher at Mann Middle School in the College Area.
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Daily reading is crucial. “Let children choose to read anything they want,” says Jacobson. “Comic books and graphic novels are especially accessible for a child who hasn’t been reading regularly.”
14 • SanDiegofamily.com • September 2021
