Getting back into school routine

Parents can help children make a smooth transition into the classroom mode in a variety of ways. One and half months of loosely structured activities can make getting back to the routine difficult, but there are things every parent can do to help children of every age get ready for a successful school year.

Set a ScheduleTalk to your child about setting aside a certain amount of time to study each school day. That way it will be an expected part of the routine rather than a discussion or a struggle every time. It is a good idea to have the time earmarked for this, regardless of whether they have homework or not. If there is none for the day, they can spend the time reading for pleasure, doing extra credit or getting ahead on their classes.

Designate Space
Make sure that there is an area that is set up for studying. It helps to have children work in a place where you are available to answer questions and keep an eye out to make sure they stay on track. Using the same area each time can help get children in the habit of studying more easily. Make sure that school books, supplies and backpacks all have a designated area in the house and are put away so that getting ready goes smoothly in the morning.
Minimize Distractions
Cell phones, television and music are just some of the many distractions that can affect the time that is set aside for homework. Discuss the ground rules for study time and include turning off electronics until after work is finished. It can especially help to remind teens before they sit down to work, so that they aren't tempted if the phone should ring. Parents should remember that if the kitchen table is your childs designated work space, they need to help minimize the traffic and noise in that area when its homework time.

Watch the Extra ActivitiesKeep an eye on the extra-curricular activities and sports to make sure that they aren't interfering with schoolwork. If your child seems like they may be falling behind, have a talk with the coach or person in charge and see if some sort of arrangement can be made for them to catch up. It doesn't necessarily have to mean they will have to quit the activity; they may just need to scale back for a bit.

RelaxWith all of the activities and classes, sometimes it can be easy to forget that children need time to rest and relax too. Try to remember to leave a little room for "down time" for everyone. As long as the schedule is pretty consistent, there is always room for a little bit of fun here and there.

Communicate With TeachersAlmost every school has parent-teacher briefings or the equivalent. No matter how old your children are, this is a good time to find out what the homework load and class expectations are. You can then talk with your child and adjust the amount of study time accordingly.

Adapted from : KC parents.com