By Aimee’ L. Perret
St. Charles Parish Intern Agent
The end of the summer will be here before we know it and out kids will be heading back to school. Aimee’ Perret, Intern Agent with the LSU Ag Center suggests that parents put children on a schedule. This will ease the transition for both the parent and the child. Here are some helpful tips to get your child on board for the upcoming school year:
- Get your child on a schedule before school starts. To do this put them to bed at a reasonable time which will allow them to get the recommended nine hours of sleep and wake them up at the same time you would if they were going to school. Establish times for homework, and time for relaxation and play.
- If it is your child’s first time to school a pre-school visit will be helpful.
- Then be sure that they get a healthy start to the day by eating breakfast. This is also important during the school year. Breakfast gives them the energy to get the day started. A healthy snack would be good when they arrive home after school.
- Another important step to do before your child gets started on the school year is to go over the information that your child covered the previous school year. This will make the beginning of their upcoming school year a little less overwhelming.
- It is also important for your child to be prepared to go to school with all of the proper items needed. This will make the transition into the school year easier for the both of you. It is a good idea to contact your child’s school and get a list of the school’s supplies needed and the proper uniform information for the school year. To beat the back to school rush it is a good idea to get your school supplies and uniform shopping completed as soon as possible. The longer you wait the harder it will become to locate all of the supplies they need. These helpful tips should make back to school a little easier on both the parent and the child.
- Plan to visit with your child’s teacher, and to be active in supporting your child’s education.
It is important that parents partner with your child’s school. Show good example and be positive about activities and requirements. Show by your actions that education and learning is important – by reading, by taking a class yourself, as well as encouraging the child to complete school work.
For more information on supporting your child’s healthy development contact your county agent’s office (985-785-4473).