A new academic year can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for your kids, whether they’re still in primary education or navigating the first few weeks of
After all, there’s a lot to enjoy during this time. They’re reunited with their friends after spending time apart during the summer holidays and have a world of opportunities at their feet. However, in addition to this, each year brings new challenges, both socially and academically, that they will have to contend with.
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Fortunately, there are plenty of steps that you can take as a parent to support them during this time!
GET THEM THE HELP THEY NEED. Whether your child is finding it difficult to keep up in class or not getting the results they need in tests, then you should work to ensure they are getting the support and help they need to thrive. For example, you may want to contact a local or online tutor who can provide them with tailored 1-1 support. This way, they can catch up with their classmates while also building upon both their capabilities and their confidence.
ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET ENOUGH REST. According to a recent study, around 6 out of 10 students do not get enough sleep on a school night. As this can have an impact on their studies and their overall well-being, this is something that you should tackle as quickly as possible.
For example, while they may want to stay up late (especially as they reach their teenage years), you can start prioritising rest by ensuring that they go to bed at the same time each evening. This means they’ll naturally feel a little more tired when this time approaches, making it easier for them to drift off.
ESTABLISH A HOMEWORK ROUTINE. Whether they’re managing multiple deadlines at once or working on a specific project, setting aside a set time each night for your kids to work on their homework can also prove useful. This is because it helps them fall into a specific routine, meaning they’re less likely to miss a deadline or forget about a specific project. Ideally, this is something that you should be present for (especially for younger children), so that you can help with homework when necessary.
ENCOURAGE THEM TO FIND (AND MAINTAIN) A HOBBY. While, from your child’s perspective, their entire life will revolve around school, it is important that you encourage them to explore their interests and passions outside of those four walls. After all, hobbies bring forth many benefits in the lives of children and young people.
For example, hobbies can help your child find a way to express themselves, meaning they’ll find it easier to manage the challenging emotions of growing up (and all of the hormonal changes that come with this). It also means they’ll be able to forge strong relationships with peers who share the same overlapping interests.
Finally, the hobbies we pursue in our youth often influence our decisions in later life. For example, this could be something that they chose to pursue professionally. As such, it is crucial that you encourage your child to find a hobby they enjoy. This may take a little trial and error, but that’s okay! You should then make sure that you encourage your child to maintain a hobby, even when they are relatively busy.
WORK WITH THEIR TEACHERS. Working with your child’s teacher (or teachers) can also prove to be useful when it comes to guiding them toward success this academic year. After all, this means that you can keep a closer eye on their development and progress through the insights offered by their teacher.
LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE PROUD OF THEM. Receiving praise from others (particularly those in a position of authority) often plays a key role in a child’s development, especially when it comes to their overall confidence. After all, receiving praise shows them the value of hardwork while also letting them know they are on the right track.
As such, you should be sure to let them know you are proud of them regularly. Remember that this praise should not be tied entirely to their academic performance but also to their work ethic, determination, and focus. After all, only offering praise when they perform well indicates that their worth is tied to academic prowess, which isn’t the case.
ENCOURAGE THEM TO READ FOR FUN. Reading (outside of the classroom) can open your child up to a world of opportunities. After all, not only does it help them to further their literacy, vocabulary, and overall comprehension skills, but it also encourages them to harness the power of their creativity. This means that it can provide them with an escape from everyday stressors and anxieties by diving into an entirely new world.
Fortunately, there are many different ways in which you can encourage your children to develop a lifelong love of reading. For example, you should start by leading by example. The more your children see you with a book in your hand, the more likely they are to emulate this behaviour. You should also read together (when they are younger), being sure to have plenty of conversations about the characters and stories as you go.
BE THEIR SHOULDER TO CRY ON. Whether they’re arguing with their friends or worrying about an upcoming test or examination, simply being there for your children will help them remain on the path to success. This is because they know that they can turn to you no matter what challenges they are facing and that you’ll be their biggest supporter through it all. This level of emotional support allows your child to develop healthy coping mechanisms and protect their emotional health and well-being so that they’ll find it easier to rise to any challenges they may face.
As such, you should make it clear that you will never judge your child or think any less of them when they come to you and ask for help. While this may already seem obvious to you, it is something that should be reinforced!