Life and Religion
|How to get children excited about the new school year|
|Not all children are looking forward to the first day of class|
|Published Wednesday, August 14, 2013|
|Set a good example. Projecting a positive attitude will help your child be less apprehensive about the new school year.|
In a perfect world, all children would be enthusiastic about starting a new school year. But in the real world, some children will be reluctant, nervous or annoyed about exchanging their summer fun for classroom direction. So how do you get them motivated about going back to school? Here are a few steps you can take to help get kids excited about school all year long:
Set an Example:
Off to work? If you act grumpy about the day ahead of you, your kids will take your cue. Over breakfast, be positive and upbeat. If your kids have apprehensions about school, their friends or after school activities, talk to them in a constructive way about what’s bothering them.
At dinner, remember to check in with them again. Tell them about what you did that day and ask them about what they learned.
Make Schoolwork Fun:
Cool school supplies can inspire your kids to stay organized and motivated. Think colorful and cheerful designs and personalized back to school supplies, which can give kids a sense of ownership and pride over their schoolwork.
Find ways to be creative with folders, journals or spiral notebooks. Stickers can be used to customize supplies with names and school subjects.
Go the Extra Mile:
Encourage your kids to do more than just go to school and come home. Having fun with art classes, on the basketball court or playing in the concert band can help them discover talents and interests they didn’t know they have.
Extracurricular and after school activities also provide a great social outlet for kids and are where some of the best memories of school days are made. If the school doesn’t have programs that interest your child, investigate other classes, teams and activities offered locally.
Add a little flair to lunch room drudgery. Remember to always pack a favorite snack or dessert to give your kids something to look forward to midday.
From pirates and princesses to dinosaurs and trains, ditch the paper bag in favor of a lunch box featuring your children’s interests. And personalizing the lunch box with their names can help prevent lost lunch mishaps.
From brighter moods to better grades, getting kids excited about the school year will have positive consequences.
- Building a relationship with your child's teacher matters
- Community events to kick off new school year
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