The school term can be a hectic and stressful time for families, from coordinating pick-ups and drop-offs, to getting homework done, and heading to sports and enrichment classes before and after school. To reduce the stress for you and your child, here are some tips that’ll come in handy during the transition from holidays, and in the term itself. It’ll also keep them (and you) less flustered and more healthy – with hopefully fewer visits to the doctor!
#1 Make mornings more enjoyable
Morning routines can set the mood for a focused and calm day. Wake up 15 minutes earlier than your children so you can prepare ahead of time. Let them choose their outfit and breakfast the day before so they don’t waste time in the morning. It’s also a good idea to have them put aside electronic devices before bed, so they sleep earlier and get a good night’s rest.
#2 Spruce up your child’s study area
Take a look at your child’s study area and see if it’s ideal for studying. Is the area well-lit and comfortable? Can they concentrate in that space? Do they have all the supplies they need? You can get your child involved in setting up and customising their study area. Shopping for new stationery and other bits and bobs also makes the idea of studying at their new desk fun and exciting.
#3 Determine priorities
Homework, friends, watching TV, playing video games, sports, and extracurricular activities are part of every school year. Are academics at the top of your child’s list of priorities? Should homework be done before or after dinner? When is TV time? Set a one-and-a-half to two-hour homework routine in place before school actually starts. Sunday night is an ideal time to prep for the school week ahead. What’s more, your children can continue this routine as they get older.
#4 Maintain a regular schedule
Do your best to keep a consistent schedule as often as possible, even during the holidays. You might think that allowing your kids to sleep in and then binge-watch TV for the rest of the day is a good way for them to relax during the school break. However, children need direction and structure. Set regular times for going to bed and waking up, even if you choose to push the schedule back later than during school days.
#5 Set goals
Help your child come up with some goals for each school year to keep them motivated. Go through the assignments or projects from the year before and choose a few academic areas to improve on. Examples of goals include improving spelling or joining an after-school activity. You and your child can create a poster with the goals as a fun activity and reminder. You can add a personal goal as well.
#6 Ease back into the routine after holidays
It’s always tough to get back to the grind after a long school break. Around a week before school begins, start to slowly ease your child into going to bed and waking up at the same time as a regular school day. Start using an alarm again and gradually set the time a little earlier each day. Additionally, start to tweak your child’s eating schedule so that they’ll be hungry at the right times. You can even walk to school with your child before the first day of school to help them readjust to their old school or identify important entrances and exits if they’re starting at a new school.
#7 Pay attention to your child’s health
Your child’s physical health has a direct correlation with their behaviour and attitude towards school. Ensure your children is getting enough rest, having healthy meals (plus nutritious snacks) and keeping up with necessary childhood vaccinations. Also, let the teachers and nurses at school know about conditions such as food allergies or asthma, if necessary.
Need health insurance for your family?
Family medical insurance will cover you, your spouse and children in the event of an illness or injury. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to insurance policies, so you’ll need a health insurance policy that offers specialised coverage for children’s needs. The health insurance experts at Pacific Prime Singapore can help you find the best private health insurance in Singapore and customise the benefits to suit your family. Contact them for a no-obligation plan comparison and a free quote today.
Written in collaboration with
Pacific Prime Singapore
18 Cross Street, China Square Central, #14-05
6346 3781 | pacificprime.sg
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