Expert from UW-Health offers advice for parents on readying their kids for the incoming school term
Preparing Children for Success: Dr. Shilagh Mirgain's Strategies for the Upcoming School Year
As August rolls around, families are gearing up for the start of the new school year. Dr. Shilagh Mirgain, a distinguished Psychologist, shared strategies for setting a child up for success.
Gradual Schedule Adjustment
Transitioning from summer to school routine can be challenging. Dr. Mirgain suggests adjusting sleep and activity schedules gradually to help children reset their internal clocks and reduce stress. Start shifting bedtime and wake-up times earlier by 15-30 minutes each day a couple of weeks before school starts. Incorporate regular routines for homework, play, and rest to build structure.
Building a Strong Connection
Strong emotional support from parents boosts children’s confidence and resilience. Spend intentional time talking and listening to children about their feelings and expectations. Establish routines that include family check-ins to foster open communication and a sense of security.
Encouraging a Growth Mindset
Developing a growth mindset enables children to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and persevere. Praising effort over innate ability, encouraging problem-solving, and modeling positive self-talk helps children develop resilience and motivation for learning.
Prioritizing Nutrition
Nutritious meals support concentration, energy, and overall health which are crucial for academic performance. Plan balanced meals and snacks rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and protein. Maintain consistent meal times, especially breakfast, to ensure children start their day fueled and ready.
Other Strategies
Getting school supplies, touring the school and classroom, and spending time together can help improve a child's grades and strengthen family relationships. Letting children see a task start to finish, discussing the new schedule with the child and anticipating challenges, and problem-solving solutions are other strategies for preparing for the school year. Spending time outside interacting with a pet and prioritizing meals together are other ways to build a connection with the child.
Dr. Mirgain emphasized the importance of connecting with children when they come for the day, encouraging them not to quit easily, and teaching children the importance of effort and hard work versus outcome. Supporting children to do the hardest thing first and allowing mistakes and learning from them are strategies for helping children grow.
By gradually adjusting schedules, strengthening parent-child connections, fostering a growth mindset, and ensuring good nutrition, parents can effectively prepare their children to thrive in the new school year.
- To bolster their child's academic success and family bond, parents can prioritize education-and-self-development strategies such as spending time together, letting children see a task start to finish, discussing the new schedule with their child, and problem-solving solutions.
- In addition to focusing on the child's health-and-wellness during the new school year, it is essential to incorporate science, particularly the understanding of a growth mindset, which encourages children to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and persevere.
