Advice, Ideas and more!

Back to School Tips

GETTING BACK IN THE ROUTINE

“A child wants some kind of routine or rhythm. A child seems to want a predictable, orderly world.”

— Abraham Maslow, psychologist

• Talk about why school routines help your kids succeed in school. Research shows that kids who eat a healthy breakfast and get a good night’s sleep do better in school compared to kids who don’t.

• Expect resistance. No one likes to change their routine, especially if the change requires more structure and earlier bedtimes.

• Create a daily routine so that young children know what to expect and when. Go to bed and wake up around the same time. Eat meals around the same time. Have a time designated for homework. These predictable structures help kids feel safe and secure so that they grow up well.

Afterschool programs play a critical role in partnering with schools to support and reinforce good attendance habits. Research indicates that when children are engaged with afterschool, their school attendance improves.

Consider After School Programs

Parenting Quote

of the Week

"Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate."

- -Anonymous

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE POSITIVE DISCIPLINE

Discipline teaches your child responsibility. When discipline is positive, it helps instill values and has lasting effects. Remember the following tips when teaching your child about good behavior:

Offer praise and affection often
Role model the behavior you want from them
Have set rules and expectations (boundaries)
Use logical consequences- if your child makes a mess, the logical consequence is to pick it up themselves.
Encourage problem-solving skills- solving problems helps your child learn about consequences for their actions.
Use time outs- Time outs help children learn about appropriate vs. inappropriate behaviors.
Redirect behaviors- Instead of using "No" or "Don't" redirect children by offering a replacement behavior. Example: "If you would like to play with your toys, please play safely."
Encourage children to use their words- Remind them that using physical aggression does not help solve the problem but that talking does help.

Counselor Corner