We’ve had a different past 18 months. For that reason, many students’ motivation to learn has dwindled considerably. The Social Services team wants to help your scholar get back on track and re-ignite that learning flame. Below you will find some helpful suggestions to implement.
Returning to school will bring out different feelings in different kids. It might take some time for kids to get used to new rules or expectations at school. The workload might change, which can take time to adjust to. The distractions will be different and there will be longer periods of instruction, more than what your child might have become accustomed to over the past few months.
Here are some tips to promote adjustment as your scholar settles back into their in-person learning routine:
- Give your child and yourself time to adjust to a new routine.
- Validate your child’s feelings of nervousness or sadness or excitement.
- Expect that everyone might be more tired than normal during the first few weeks. Consider planning low-key evenings and limiting extra activities as your child adjusts.
- Set aside at least 15 minutes with your child in the evening to hear about their day. Let them know you are available even if they do not feel like sharing.
- Create extra space for hugs or snuggles, especially for young children.
Things to watch out for:
- Increased irritability
- Child withdrawing or isolating self
- Anger or frustration outbursts
- Change in appetite
- Sleep difficulties
- Ongoing challenges separating. Drop-off might be hard for a couple of days. For most kids, they will adapt quickly after parents have left or within a couple of days.
Keep in contact with your child’s teacher; they may be seeing behavior in your child that you do not see at home. If you are worried about anything that seems different or off in your child, reach out to your pediatrician, school counselor or a behavioral health provider.
The information above was copied from a University of Kentucky article.
Since most students have not participated in in-person learning for 18 months, you may have to review basic school success skills. Here are a few skills to get you and your scholar started for the 2021-22 school year.
Make organizational skills a priority
Have your scholar maintain an agenda, day planner, or notebook to keep up with assignments and other responsibilities. You will want to check in with your child about assignments fairly frequently. Discuss ways to make your child’s organization work for him/her. In other words, work with your child on establishing a system that works for him/her. Refrain from imposing your model of organization. Every person is different and has different needs.
Teach time management skills
Teach your scholar to make the most of their time by reviewing material daily. This will help to ensure the material they are studying is retained in their memory.
It is also important to help your child establish a daily routine (morning and evening) that includes time for homework and any other obligations your child has. This provides consistency, structure, and a level of comfort for your scholar.
Keep lines of communication open
Psychologist and parent-child communication expert Dr. Lawrence Kutner recommends these strategies for talking to your scholar: Talk with your child frequently about small issues. If s/he will not tell you how practice went, s/he will not open up to you about more important issues either. He recommends that parents talk to kids while driving or cooking, instead of sitting down directly across a table for a chat. It can be less threatening for kids to talk if they don’t have to make direct eye contact with you.
Also, remember to ask open ended questions. Open ended questions allow your scholar time and space to elaborate about things that interest them. Try questions like what was the highlight of your day or what was the lowest part of your day? Students usually respond with a thoughtful response. You will have a better picture of how their day was this way. The alternative of closed ended questions will only garner one-word answers. Questions like, how was your day or did you have a good day are examples of closed ended questions. You will not learn too much about their day with closed ended questions.
If your scholar is transitioning to middle or high school, you may want to consider additional tools to guide them in their new environment. There are classes (on-line and in-person) that will help your scholar prepare. Thanks to Mrs. Recasner for providing this link for middle school success. Be sure to share additional classes you are able to find.
Happy learning!
Kyri Harris, MS, LPC, NCC
School Counselor
The Main Street Academy