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Kickoff a Stress-Free School Year

For many students, the first day of school doesn’t only mean new teachers and new friends – it can also be a source of anxiety with homework assignments and tests just around the corner. Starting the school year off on the right foot can help minimize a child’s stress level throughout the year.

To help inspire a love of learning in the new school year and minimize academic stress, Sylvan Learning offers tips and ideas to make the transition from summer to school easier.

Back-to-School Tips (for each new school year):

• Get back in the routine. Re-establish bedtime, mealtime, reading and homework routines. Discuss the importance of routines and how they help ensure your student is not overtired, overly anxious about schoolwork or the next day of school.
• Set education goals. Help your child set goals at the very beginning of the year. Whether it is striving for an A in reading, handing in all homework on time or preparing for tests well in advance, setting goals can help set a routine for the school year.
• Develop a relationship with your child’s teacher. Take the time to meet your child’s teachers at the beginning of the school year. Teachers are a great source of information about your child’s scholastic performance and they can recommend ways to help your student or resolve any difficulties.
• Homework routine and place. Designate a specific time and place for homework. Help your child discover a regular, quiet place where he can study. Ensure the area is free from potential distractions and that study tools are at your child’s fingertips to keep him focused on homework and studying.
• Emphasize organization. Some students benefit from using color-coded binders for each subject. Keeping notes organized helps test preparation later in the year, so work with your child to determine the best method for her.
• Encourage learning at home. Promoting learning outside of the classroom helps children perform better in school. To nurture reading skills, spend at least one hour per week – 10 to 15 minutes a day – reading with your child. To enhance math proficiency, try allowing your child to help plan the next family trip and encourage him to compute miles, cost of gas, expenses for food, hotel and entertainment.

Transition Year Back-to-School Tips (Children Starting Kindergarten, First Grade, Middle School or High School):

• Visit the school. If your child is changing schools, make a special trip together to visit the school before the first day of classes. This will help ease feelings of anxiety and help get your child into her academic routine. If available, review the class schedule with your child and prepare her for the new grade.
• Discuss changes in routine. Talk with the student about how the routine for his new school may differ from the previous year. Explain how his schedule may differ from last year. Will there be more homework assignments? Does he have to wake up earlier? Will he have more than one teacher this year?
• Provide extra support. Talk with your child about her fears regarding school and maintain an open dialogue throughout the year. Discuss what subjects she is anticipating and any areas she finds particularly challenging. Don’t forget to talk about homework and tests.