Finishing the school year well
As the school year draws to a close, it’s the perfect opportunity for parents to reflect on how to wrap up the year meaningfully and start planning for the holidays and the exciting possibilities beyond. Gail Smith shares her ideas on how to approach this thoughtfully and effectively.
As we approach the end of the school year there are excited thoughts of closure and new beginnings coming into a child’s mind. It is a great time as parents to reflect on how closure should look like for the school year and how planning for holidays and beyond should commence.
Consider the following:
Celebrate Achievements, Big and Small
Acknowledge your child's efforts and progress, not just academic results. In a world where comparison is rampant, affirming their unique journey builds confidence and resilience. It is all about the process.
Reflect on Social and Emotional Growth
Ask yourself: How has my child grown in managing friendships, emotions, or challenges this year? These skills are as important as academics in preparing them for the future.
Address Gaps or Concerns Early
If your child struggled academically, socially, or emotionally, now is the time to create a plan for improvement over the summer. Talk to teachers or explore summer programs to help bridge gaps. Do it gently with still plenty of recreation built in.
Plan Purposeful Summer Activities
Balance relaxation with opportunities for learning and growth. Enrol them in camps, encourage hobbies, or plan family activities that nurture curiosity, creativity, and physical health.
Stay Connected with the School Community
End the year by expressing gratitude to teachers and staff. Building positive relationships now sets the tone for smoother communication and collaboration in the next school year.
Each school year will come with highs and lows. Friendships may change and feelings of anxiety may creep in at the thought of changing classes and teachers. Holidays should be a time to refresh, break routine and enjoy personal space. It is a wonderful time for family to renew relationships and simply enjoy each other where routine and responsibilities are no more for a short time.
“Closing the school year happily and with reflection invites a fresh start in the new year.”
Why formal education is so important
From time to time people come up with the argument that formal school does not have value and that education at home could be adequate. Here are 8 reasons why formal education is essential for children.
From time to time people come up with the argument that formal school does not have value and that education at home could be adequate. It is also true to say that some people do not have fond memories of school and sadly there are sound reasons why that was the case. However, I am very much all for the advantages of formal learning sitting of course alongside the journey of learning that you the parents provide. When we have our doubts about formal school think about the following thoughts that remind us of what can be gained through formal schooling..
Foundation of Knowledge:
School provides the basic knowledge and skills needed to understand the world, like reading, writing, and basic maths. The formality of the classes comes with teacher’s training in techniques of teaching literacy. Parents work closely in conjunction with the school and enjoy those early years of their child opening their minds to reading.
Social Skills and Relationships:
It's where children learn to interact with others, make friends, and build essential social skills. The school yard is a miniature society where life happens and social engagements occurs.
Opportunities for Future Careers:
Education at school opens doors for various jobs and careers by providing a foundation of knowledge and qualifications. School provides networks where a student can access so much knowledge of what happens beyond school.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving:
School teaches how to think critically, solve problems, and make decisions, skills needed in everyday life. Teachers are well resourced to provide the best environment for this critical aspect of learning.
Personal Development:
It helps in developing discipline, time management, and responsibility, preparing kids for life as adults. The culture of the classroom and the social interpersonal experiences that happen each day are constantly feeding the maturation of personal development.
Understanding the World:
School exposes students to various subjects, cultures, and ideas, broadening their understanding of the world. There are many constant discussion etc on what the world is about through a school environment.
Health and Well-being:
It often includes education about health, nutrition, and exercise, promoting a healthier lifestyle. Also school offers children the opportunity to join teams etc.
Lifelong Learning:
It instils the value of continuous learning, encouraging a habit of learning throughout life. A classroom is a powerhouse of learning. Teachers use their talents to teach children all sorts of things and especially engage them in being independent learners.
‘Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.’
Malcolm X
Tips for busy parents who need to keep in touch with the school
This blog aims to help busy parents foster a strong connection with their child's school and education.
Sometimes it just gets too hard. Being the best parents and keeping in touch with school can get complicated. Here are some tips that can make the connection between school and home a little easier and ensure that you don’t miss out on what is important. Also, it is wonderful that your child sees your continued interest in their school and the more you engage with their learning, the better the learning process for them.
Establish Regular Communication with Teachers: Maintain open lines of communication with your child's teachers through emails, phone calls, or parent-teacher conferences. Ensure that you keep up this contact and let your child know how important it is to you.
For example: Mum sends a brief email to her child's teacher every few weeks to check on her progress and any areas that may need extra attention.
Join Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) or Parent Groups: Participate in school activities and parent groups to stay informed about school events and get involved in decision-making. The more you know about school, the better conversations you have with your child.
For example: One parent becomes an active member of the PTA and regularly attends meetings to contribute to school improvement initiatives.
Attend School Events: Make an effort to attend school events, such as sports meets, talent shows, and parent workshops, to connect with the school community and show support for your child.
For example: Parents attend their child's soccer game on the weekend and cheer him on from the sidelines. Such events are great for boosting their morale.
Volunteer at School: Offer your time and skills by volunteering at the school library, helping with field trips, or assisting during special events.
For example: Mum volunteers to chaperone her child's class on a field trip to the local museum, engaging with other students and fostering a positive learning environment.
Use School Apps and Portals: Stay updated with school announcements, assignments, and progress reports through school apps or online portals.
For example: Dad regularly checks the school's app to receive notifications about upcoming exams, project deadlines, and school closures.
Create a Family Homework Routine: Establish a consistent homework routine at home, ensuring your child completes assignments and studies effectively. Provide a well-lit environment for them to do their homework.
For example: Every weekday evening, the family sets aside a specific time for homework. Parents take turns helping their children with assignments while promoting a distraction-free environment.
Set Up a Parent-Child Journal: Maintain a journal where your child can share their school experiences and feelings, allowing you to understand their academic and social life better.
For example: Mum and her child have a shared journal where they write letters to each other, providing a safe space for the child to express their thoughts and concerns about school.
Attend Parent Workshops: Participate in workshops organised by the school to gain insights into parenting techniques, academic support strategies, and an understanding of the curriculum.
For example: Both parents attend a workshop on effective study habits, implementing the learned techniques to support their child's learning at home. The more you know how to help them the easier the learning process.
These ideas aim to help busy parents foster an ongoing, strong connection with their child's school and education. By being actively involved and engaged, parents can positively impact their child's academic journey. This will also make your child more confident in themselves. Parents can also feel more at peace that they are making healthy and constructive connections to their child’s school.
‘The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become.’ -Goethe
6 simple tips on easing back into school
Here are 6 simple tips on easing back into school.
1. Be prepared
Involve the children in the general preparation for starting school. Have plenty of good conversations around all the items they will need. Talk about their new teacher and chat about their friendships that they will re-establish. Treat starting school as a normal process and one which will be exciting, a happy experience and full of a healthy hope. It’s amazing how positive talk can influence a person’s well being by building a healthy set of attitudes.
2. What is normal now?
There is no escaping the need for a robust conversation on where the pandemic is at and how schools will manage the situation (age-appropriate discussion of course.) Our children need to be part of the real world and take ownership of themselves when it comes to good hygiene habits. Simply relying on the teachers will not work. Children need to feel in control of their personal situation.
3. Sound home routines and yet be adjustable
6 Simple Steps on Easing Back into School
Now is the time to start talking about the weekly routines and what that will look like for everyone in the family. In such discussions be inclusive of strategies you take as a family to be safe from the virus. We now acknowledge that we live with this reality. This may mean at times accepting chaos and flowing with changes as they come. This will ultimately reduce stress.
4. Dealing with school feelings in the presence of the virus
Some children may have anxieties already about going back to school away from their safe home. Chat about the positive actions taken by schools and the Government to keep them safe at school. They need your reassurance that this is best for them. Try listing all the facts that lead to a safe setting. For example, using sanitiser in class, wearing masks etc. The list will mount up and give your child some reassurance.
5. The reluctant learner
Our children have recently experienced less classroom contact than ever before. Therefore, they have become familiar with less conversation, interaction and stimulus from group activities. This can be more of a problem for quieter, less confident children. A good way to strengthen and build their confidence is to keep robust chatter going at home. Provide games and challenges to stimulate engagement with others. Keep the home life an interactive environment where conversation is a strong force in all members of the family and not just the noisy ones.
6. Developing the best attitude for 2022
A helpful goal this year is to work on our mental attitude to the pandemic. The quality of our thoughts ripples through our actions. How we reflect on the changing situation can hinder or help my mental health and also impact on our children. We can consciously choose our attitude when we hear of new developments. If we choose to see the best and positively work to being optimistic, our children will feel happier and more secure. Teach them to be an owner and not a blamer through the current crisis.
So, what’s in a school?
This is certainly is a challenging question. I would be the first to say dig deep and you will find many opportunities for developing yourself and growing familiar with your child’s school. Being around a school is a vibrant and lively feeling. These school years with your child are precious and will not return once complete. Therefore, embrace them.
My recommendation is for you to research what the school offers and how you can tap into its life or perhaps add to its life.
The following are considerations about what’s in a school:
How involved are you able to be at your child’s school?
Explore the library and learn from the librarian what and how you can access books for the family. Often school libraries have specific sections for parents and they often hold a wonderful feelings section to support children going through emotional issues. Also, if you have time, you could always help in the library. There is so much to learn about books in this environment.
Does your school offer parenting nights? Schools often look to supporting family education. This can be through a one-night session or a series of nights.
Read the school newsletter regularly to get all the updates in the life of the school. This certainly gives you a broad picture of what is happening across the school.
In my time as Principal, many parents in midlife looking for a career change, assisted in classrooms and took up the teacher aid course. Teaching is a great career to take up after having had other work and life experiences.
Simply helping in the classroom gives you a chance to learn about how reading, writing etc., is taught. You can pick up great teaching strategies from just being around teachers. It is also fascinating to watch how teachers manage and relate to the children with such control.
If you enjoy sports, often being involved in the sports programs at the school is a wonderful way to commit to a valuable part of the curriculum.
Schoolyards are great places to build friendships with other families. Many lifelong friends have been made from meeting families in the school setting.
When the school offers social days such as Book Week, where there are dress-ups, consider joining in and sharing in the fun with your child.
Do you have special talents that you can offer the school? For example, can you paint, teach cooking or crafts? Schools love to hear from talented parents who contribute their skills to teaching children.
Check-in with your child’s teacher to see if they need assistance. Your presence in your child’s classroom is a buzz for your child.
These thoughts are to explore and invite you into the life of the school. Your child benefits from your engagement and school become a natural extension to their home life.
“Behind the child that makes the most progress is an actively involved parent.”