September is just around the corner and soon it will be time to make that
transition from the beach to the bus. Rade Gratton from Tutor Doctor Lake
County and her daughter Mason join Studio A with tips on how to get your
kids ready for the challenges of the coming academic year.
Set the clock back
If your kids have been staying up later and sleeping in over the vacation,
it’s time to reset their routines to avoid a very tough first week
back to school. Opt for a gradual reintroduction of early bed times and
waking up times by getting your kids to go to bed and get up 15 minutes
earlier each day over the week before school. This gradual resetting of
their clocks will make it easier for them to get up in time for school.
Power up the brain
“Studies have shown that children lose between twenty and thirty
percent of what they learned the previous year over the summer,”
said Rade. “So it’s always a good idea to have a game plan
for August.” She suggests keeping the folders and notes from the
previous semester and reviewing these over the month of August.
Reading is another great way to get those brains in gear. Rade recommends
that younger kids should read books and then act them out to help with
comprehension. You can encourage reading by offering rewards and selecting
books that interest your child.
Math is an area that needs a lot of attention over the month of August
if your child is going to be ready for the new academic year. Teachers
don’t have time to review math concepts your child has already learned
and they will be building on these so ensure that your child has a solid
math foundation. If you think they may have gaps in their knowledge base,
consider getting a tutor in to prepare them and bolster their confidence.
“Tutor Doctor 24/7 is an online resource that gives parents access
to tens of thousands of tests and lessons that you can print off,”
says Rade. This amazing resource will give parents everything they need
to help their children catch up and keep up.
Socialization
Plan a play date, a sleep over or a back to school party with new classmates
and old friends so that your child makes friends before the new school
year starts. Having friends in class will help to alleviate some of the
back to school anxiety and will also improve confidence.
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