The new academic year begins. After a long summer break, students are returning to school, and some are meeting their school desks for the first time. While many children wait with excitement and joy to return to school, they may also feel more complex emotions. Returning to school can revive feelings of anxiety and fear, especially for first graders who are starting primary school, young people who are just starting middle school or high school, and students who will change schools. There will be a period of adaptation and adaptation with every start, regardless of the circumstances. I would like to share a few methods with you as we enter this new period.
First of all, as always, you can talk to your child about his/her feelings and thoughts about returning to school. As I mentioned at the beginning, your child may have different emotions about returning to school. These; While it can be happy, excited, proud, hopeful, joyful, it can also be sad, angry, worried, afraid, surprised, ashamed. First you need to understand which of these applies to your child. Then you can think together about what you can do to cope with this feeling. For example; You can find and write about the positive aspects of going to school, you can make a funny song about going back to school. I heard about a mother who tried this method last year, singing songs on the way to school, and that this cheered up and relaxed her daughter, who started first grade.
You can imagine the first day at school with your child and talk about what will happen. You can turn this into a story. Then, you can act out this story in the form of a drama and even present it to your family in a small theatre. Sometimes children may worry that they will be alone at school. You and your child can decide what topics they can chat about with their friends on the first day. For example, you can remind them of a fun memory you had on vacation and suggest that they share it with their friends. They can talk about the books they read during the holiday, the activities they participated in, or the classes or courses they will take in the new term. Encourage your child to be the first to open the conversation. This may seem difficult at first, but the other person will want to make a friend just like him. After taking the first step
Knowing and keeping in touch with the teachers, classroom teacher, guidance counselor, class mother and school parent association at the school your child attends will make it easier for both you and your child to adapt throughout the school process. Even though the communication between school and family has increased recently, I still want to emphasize this so as not to neglect it.
Back to school shopping is always fun. It also gives the child motivation to start school. A new pencil or a new bag is also a tool that motivates a child to go to school. However, it should not be given to the child as a reward or condition. We can emphasize that there are necessary tools purchased to be used while going to school.
Starting school also means starting a regular routine. The earlier you establish this routine, the easier it will be for your child to adapt to school. You should create sections in your routine such as sleeping hours, homework and study time, rest time, nutrition and personal care time. In particular, adjusting sleep hours regularly will positively affect the child's ability to carry out mental functions and learn.
Sometimes, you may hear complaints from your child about going to school, and you may encounter resistance such as not wanting to go to school. In such situations, it is useful to be determined and clear from the first moment. Emphasize that going to school is his responsibility and that he will go to school because he has to fulfill this responsibility. Explain that there is a time for everything, just as he rests and travels during the holidays, he will go to school and do his homework during the school day, and that he can spare time for different activities on the weekends until the semester break.
Creating a positive mental scheme about school. Always emphasize learning and development rather than success. Explain how learning makes life easier and opens the door to new experiences in life. For example, English class will help you talk to a tourist on holiday, you can make a nice gift for your grandmother with a technique you learned in art class, you can comfort your little brother by telling him a story you learned in Turkish class before he goes to sleep, you can solve different puzzles with what you learned in mathematics class. you inherit. Examples like this can be multiplied. The most exciting feature of learning is applying it in life.
School years are a period that most of us remember with happiness. For a positive school perception, you can tell your child about your own school memories and friends, and look at your old school pictures, yearbooks and documents together. Your child will be delighted to learn that you were once a student, going to school every day, doing homework and taking exams, and going on trips with your friends. As we always say, the best way to teach a child behavior is to be an example. Your student memories will also set an example for him.
From time to time, parents may have concerns about their child going to school. In such a case, you can try to solve your anxiety by sharing it with your spouse or friends, being careful not to reflect it on the child.
Finally, I wish all students and their families who are always with them a pleasant and productive academic year.
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