Overlooked Back to School Basics
Important Actions for Parents and Teachers to Take When Children Go Back to School
When kids go back to school, some important basics are often overlooked. Here is a handy guide containing five ways to help you get the school year off to a great start.
Overlooked Back to School Basics
- Medications/conditions The classroom teacher is not the only person who needs to be aware of a child's medical or behavioral needs. Make sure principals, the school nurse, and other school staff are aware of a child's medical needs. Parents can write a letter or note to each teacher, give a notice to the classroom teacher and ask that it be forwarded to the appropriate people, or briefly speak to each person by phone or in person. The more information the school staff has about each child, the better they will be able to provide the best learning environment for him or her.
- Unusual family situations Every family is unique. Some families may have circumstances that need to be handled appropriately by the family and the school staff. These situations may include divorce/visitation issues, family members who are not allowed to pick up children at school, and recent changes such as a birth, death, divorce or other family events that could impact a child's ability to perform at school. Make sure everyone is aware of the child's needs related to any home situations, regardless of whether the details of a situation need to be kept private. Some things may be uncomfortable to discuss with teachers or school staff, but it may be as simple as saying, "We are having a family situation at home, and Jenny needs "x" at school to help her cope."
- Children's best learning environment Make sure children have to best learning environment possible. While it's up to the teacher to create appropriate rules, a welcoming classroom and engaging lessons, parents play a part, too. Make sure children are up-to-date on their vaccinations, have had their hearing and eyes checked if there are suspected problems, and have any developmental or academic delays or problems closely monitored. Also, make appropriate school staff are aware of these issues. If children are uncomfortable or impaired in any way, school will be frustrating and difficult for them. Take the time to uncover issues, even if they are masked by disruptive behavior or a seeming lack of enthusiasm for school. The actual root of the problem may surprise you.
- Food Issues Breakfast, lunch and snacks at school can be just as essential as appropriate clothes and daily physical activity. They are not part of the curriculum, but can have a great effect on learning and behavior. Proper eating fuels learning. Make sure children have appropriate food choices every day and any food issues are dealt with immediately.
- School staff needs to be made aware of any food allergies; if not, the results could be dangerous.
- Snacks sent to school by parents should provide children with the right fuel for learning. Fruits, vegetables and yogurt are good choices; snack cakes, brownies and soda should only be occasional treats. Also, check to see if there is a school-wide or classroom snack policy if the teacher hasn't already mentioned one.
- Friends and Enemies It's important to face the reality that no classroom can be in harmony all the time. Much of the work involved in having a successful class includes following rules, monitoring behavior and practicing respect among classmates. Even so, there's bound to be clashes and situations that pop up. Often, these push actual learning to the back burner until a resolution can be reached. Before school starts and during the first few weeks of school, talk with children about respecting classmates and what to do if there is a problem. Also, discuss what is tattling and what is not-a common confusion in primary school classrooms. This way, children begin to understand which problems can be handled on their own and which ones need the assistance of an adult.
Take a minute to think over these issues in relation to the children you work or live with. Solving these potential problems now can help create a great school year!
The copyright of the article Overlooked Back to School Basics in Primary School is owned by Jaime L. Hebert. Permission to republish Overlooked Back to School Basics must be granted by the author in writing.
