Promoting Positive Behaviors in School

Making the transition back from summer break

Transitioning from summer break into a new school year can be a challenge for many families. There are ways to make the transition smoother while encouraging positive behavior at school.

Sleep Hygiene

Start by adjusting to a regular sleep routine. Many parents allow children to stay up later and sleep longer during the summer. Adjusting your child’s wake-up time by 15 to 30 minutes each morning will help them fall asleep earlier. Children age six to 13 typically need nine to 12 hours of sleep while teens ages 14 to 17 require eight to 10 hours to perform their best, according to HealthyChildren.org.

Institute a bedtime routine including unplugging from electronics at least an hour before bed. Encourage children to use that time to prepare their lunch and backpack, bathe, brush their teeth, and read a book. This will help them unwind and be ready for bed.

Establish a Routine

In addition to a bedtime routine, United Through Reading recommends setting morning and daytime routines. Wake children at the same time each morning to get dressed. They can eat breakfast and brush their teeth. Next, ensure they have their backpack, lunch, and anything else for the day ahead.

Partner with your child’s teacher and school staff to create a positive environment where your child can thrive. Your child’s teacher can establish classroom routines to set the pace for the day. Ask for a schedule and review it with your child so they know what to expect.

After school, children need a regular routine, too. Discuss what that routine will look like. For instance, when they get home, they may take 15 minutes to use the restroom and have a snack before doing homework at the dining room table. Work with your child to set a routine that works for them and your family.

Set High Standards

As parents, we want our children to do well academically and reach their full potential. Setting high standards and discussing them with your child is the best way to get started. Research shows having high expectations has a positive impact on a child’s school success, according to the Pacer Center. Sharing academic and behavioral expectations along with your belief in the importance of education can motivate your child.

In addition to discussing academic and behavioral expectations, set goals with your child. Ask them about their future and listen to what they say. Share your hopes for them such as graduating, going to college, and/or achieving their future goals.

Be clear about expectations for behavior at school and discuss reasonable expectations. Talk about how they can achieve your expectations and what that might look like in the classroom, hallways, and cafeteria, and on the playground. Institute consequences when expectations are not met so they understand how seriously you take their education.

Open Lines of Communication

PBS Kids for Parents recommends talking to children about their feelings and concerns regarding school. Reassure them the new year is a fresh opportunity for making friends, learning, and enjoying education.

Talk to your child regularly, listen to them, and help them through successes and struggles. At dinner, ask open-ended questions about their day and what they learned. For example, say “Tell me about something funny or exciting that happened at school today.”

When your child does share, reflect on what they have said by commenting. If your child shares that they were left out at lunch, you might say, “I understand how that must have hurt your feelings. I would be sad about that, too.” Offer ideas for overcoming difficulties.

In addition to open lines of communication with your child, LinkedIn recommends introducing yourself to teachers and providing them your contact information. Let them know they can call any time. Attend parent/teacher conferences and schoolevents. Children whoknow their parentsare connected withteachers are more motivated to stay on track.

Plan ahead when you need to have a difficult conversation with your child. Think about what you want to say and how to best deliver the message. Consider how your child will feel and how they might respond.

Prepare Them to Socialize

Social interactions drop in the summer for many children as they spend time with smaller groups of people. Reintroduce them to social settings as school starts by attendingparties, hosting a dinner with friends, or taking them to a museum or park with larger numbers of people. This will help them adjust to larger groups, according to Guidepost Montessori.

Practice What You Preach

The Virtual Lab School recommends parents model positive behavior so children understand how to act. If you want them to spend less time on screens, then do the same. Read in front of or with your children. Discuss what you are reading and share book recommendations.

Eating healthy and exercising regularly will encouragechildren to adopt healthy living skills. Eating and exercising together encourages a healthy lifestyle. Inspire your child to be their very best by being your very best! You are their hero, and they are your biggest fan.

Reinforce Positive Behavior

When your child meets or exceeds expectations, give them positive reinforcement. Tell them how proud you are and be specific. Do something nice such as taking them on a “date.” Show them the reward of time when they achieve school goals. Positive praise from you isa great reward and teaches children good behavior is the best way to get your attention, according to Strong 4 Life. You can also offer rewards such as treats, toys, or trips.

Parenting is the most important job anyone will ever have. It is work, but by setting the bar high for your children’s academic performance and behavior at school, providing a good example, and setting up a solid routine followed by positive reinforcement, parenting becomes easier and success at school achievable.For more information about supporting your child’s academic performance or behavior at school, visit Jiguar online or contact us at info@jiguar.com.