Get-Ready Tips For Your Child's Success This New School Year

School opens on September 3, 2018 (next week) and Rayneau feel obliged to share a few tips with you on helping your child to a successful new school year. We know that the books lists and materials as well as letters for registration and orientation dates have already come in. It’s tempting to block out the signs that the summer holidays are ending soon, but it’s a mistake to completely miss out on using this last week of the holidays to increase your child’s chances of school success.  

Using the final week of the holidays to prepare for the new school year paves the way for a smooth transition into the new grade and builds momentum for doing well in school all year long. This is the time when parents, should start working on academic enrichment activities with students 30 - 60 minutes a day.

Primary and Infant school students are helped most by refreshing their math, reading, and writing skills. Educational games and grade-level workbooks make it easy to spend time focusing on grammar, vocabulary, and math facts. As for reading, all reading counts. It doesn’t matter if the book is at the “correct” reading level. And, it doesn’t matter whether a child reads independently, reads aloud, or is read to. What matters is that children enjoy reading so they will be encouraged to read more.

At Rayneau we know that each new school year is a fresh start. Just as we cherish our customers so do we with their children. We believe that by adding a few items to your back-to-school checklist, you can significantly increase the likelihood that your child will have a better year – all year long.

You don’t need anything fancy or expensive, but you should corral the supplies your child needs to complete homework into one, easy to reach place. Whether your child is ten years old, entering sixth grade, or just learning to count by tens, keeping supplies organized and on-hand makes homework go much more quickly. Check out our back to school supplies at our branches in Corinth, Monchy or Vide Boutielle.

 It’s always nice to start the year by introducing yourself to your child’s teacher. The more you can learn what the teacher will expect of your child at the start of the year, the better you can help your child meet these expectations during the next nine months. Make sure to find out when and how the teacher likes to be reached in the event your child doesn’t understand what was taught. If and when that happens, you’ll be ready to coach your child to approach the teacher by himself or herself in the manner the teacher likes best e.g. email, in-person, before school, during lunch, etc.

Stay aware of the changing pace of what’s being taught. The start of the year often starts slowly and usually includes review of last year’s concepts. During this time, it’s easy for parents to think “my child’s got this.” But as soon as the review period is over, new concepts are introduced, and school is a few weeks underway, the pace usually picks up considerably. Kids who may have struggled in the past suddenly find themselves floundering. Stay attuned to the amount of material being taught to your child and how quickly he or she is supposed to master it. If you sense a problem, try discussing with your child’s teacher. If your child needs extra help, look for a tutor who can provide the academic and/or executive functioning support your child needs.

Students who begin the year with completed assignments and refreshed skills are prepared and ready to learn. Starting after-school support on the first day of school keeps the momentum going. After-school support, provided by a parent, or tutor, is a system for helping with homework, staying organized and studying when your child needs it. Some days your child may need more support and some days he or she may need less. 

Consistent access to after-school support helps your child fulfill his or her academic responsibilities which in turn, helps your child stay prepared and ready to learn.

Paying attention to these few items now as the school year begins will help keep your child learning smoothly during the school year, even if there are a few bumps in the road.

Happy Back to School!