FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM AUGUST 22, 2019 • THE QUEENS COURIER 35
back to school
Start the school year off right
As kids head back to school, it’s important
to provide them with the necessary
resources to succeed. As a parent, you can
take steps to put your kids on the path
toward a successful school year.
To help your children put the best foot
forward, consider these suggestions from
Th e Salvation Army, which operates hundreds
of low-cost aft er-school programs
for kids of all ages in low-income neighborhoods
across the country and understands
the importance of setting children
up for success all year.
Get back into a routine. During the
summer months, family routines tend to
slide, especially morning rituals and bedtime
habits. A few weeks before school
starts, begin transitioning your way back
to a normal school schedule. A gentle
progression toward earlier bed and
wake-up times is easier on kids physically
and mentally. Try adjusting by 15 minutes
each day until you reach the optimal
schedule for your family. Remember
that routines aren’t just about the clock,
though. If there are certain steps that are
part of the school year routine, such as
packing lunches and laying out clothes for
the next day before bed, make those part
of your transition plan, too.
Set a good example. Kids learn important
behavioral lessons by watching the
adults in their lives. Th e back-to-school
season provides many opportunities
to demonstrate compassion and social
responsibility. For example, giving back to
an organization like Th e Salvation Army
helps provide funding for programs that
support the educational needs of children
who otherwise may not have access to the
same resources.
Research resources for homework help.
Discovering your child is struggling in
school can be overwhelming. You’ll want
to be able to pull in help as quickly as
possible, so it’s a good idea to research
resources in your area that can help provide
support outside the classroom. Your
school likely has some options available,
but it’s a good idea to also look into tutoring
programs and other community services
that encourage literacy and study
skills as well as provide one-on-one assistance
with homework and school assignments.
Get organized. Th e fi rst few weeks of
school typically bring plenty of change
and adjustment. You can help manage
the stress by creating some structure. Use
a wall calendar to keep track of school
start and dismissal times, bus pick-up and
drop-off times, aft er school activities and
other appointments. Review lunch menus
and plan ahead so you’re not fi nding out
at bedtime that you need to pack a home
lunch in the morning. Stock up on breakfast
foods and make time to catch up on
laundry before school begins so hunger
and wayward socks don’t derail your
mornings.
Explore extra-curricular programs.
With the new school year comes numerous
ways to enrich your kids’ social and
cognitive development. Extra-curricular
activities let kids continue practicing skills
even aft er the school bell rings, but in a
fun environment so they may not even
realize they’re still learning and cultivating
healthy, safe relationships with
friends. In addition to sports and clubs,
a wide array of music and art education
activities may be available that focus on
everything from choir, band and dancing
to drawing, writing and acting.
Set goals. Begin the school year by
encouraging your children to take ownership
and pride in their learning. Talk
about goals like reading a certain number
of books each month or earning grades
that refl ect their highest potential. Get
kids motivated by designing goal boards
or charts that can serve as daily reminders
and track their progress. For larger goals,
consider setting milestones so they can
celebrate progress along the way and stay
motivated for a big fi nish.
Learn more about educational and giving
opportunities in your community at
SalvationArmyUSA.org.
Courtesy Family Features
/WWW.QNS.COM
/SalvationArmyUSA.org
