It’s time for back to school!
written by Monique Beauchamp Doll
It’s that time of the year when the mornings are a bit cooler, the leaves start to color, and pumpkin flavor makes its way into everything from coffee to potato chips. It’s also time for kids to wrap up summer activities and get back into the swing of the school year.
This year continues to challenge us with the uncertainty of face-to-face instruction, online instruction, or some hybrid of both. Masks or no masks! That brings along added stress for both parents and students. Here are some ideas and tips to help start school in any format:
- Create a dedicated workspace at home. This area should be away from the hustle and bustle of the main living area if possible. Whenever someone is in this workspace, it means their working and should have minimal distractions.
- Stock your workspace with all the materials you need. The Dollar Store is a great place to stock up on pens, pencils, highlighters, post-it notes, scissors, stapler, etc. It’s easier to accomplish tasks when all the tools you need are in reach.
- Set a schedule. Knowing when it’s time to work and time to break helps everyone stay on track.
- Set a time for homework, but also make sure to include frequent breaks.
- Children feed off their parents’ energy. Keep your anxiety low, which can be even more challenging with homeschooling.
- Make a to-do list. This is a good practice for school, work, and household chores. By assigning tasks to everyone in the household with a due date, it can help with communication.
- Try to have a family meal at least once a week. Use this time to reconnect, share, and encourage one another.
It all sounds so easy on paper, but in reality, these things are often hard to put into practice. Incorporate them one at a time, and then see which are most beneficial to your unique family. Get the family involved and brainstorm other ideas to ensure your family has a successful, well-balanced school year.