We make sure to have regular communication with the child's teacher so that he informs us not only about his progress, but also about any adjustment problems he may be facing. The teacher is also often the first to draw our attention to the possibility of learning difficulties, which need early intervention so that the child does not become frustrated and lose his optimism and his thirst for learning.
We insist that the child has breakfast before leaving school. According to international literature, eating a quality breakfast is associated with better academic performance.
School bag. It should have 2 shoulder straps, wide and with a soft coating. Narrow straps sink into the shoulders, causing pain and restricting blood circulation, while single-strap backpacks don't distribute weight evenly across the body. The straps should be properly tensioned so that the backpack is close to the body and about 5-6 cm above the waist. The rucksack should also have padding/padding at the points of contact with the back to avoid contact with sharp corners. The weight of the bag should not exceed 10-20% of the child's weight. Ideally, the bag should contain no more than three notebooks, 2-3 small books, a case, a snack and a 750ml bottle of water. Those of the books and notebooks that the children do not need for the afternoon reading at home, should remain on the desk under the responsibility of the school. The rolling backpack can be a good solution for students who carry a significant load, but even this will have to be carried by the student up the stairs.
For young children who are starting school for the first time, we make sure that we have trained them beforehand in hygiene rules so that they can use the school toilet.
On returning home, we let the child talk to us and listen carefully about all the things that happened at school that made an impression on him or possibly upset, scared or stressed him. Talking to the child can reveal problems with peers (eg bullying), fears, anxieties and desires of the child.
We discover ways to relax after returning from school. After the evening reading, which should be over soon, we make sure that the child plays, if possible in the yard or some other safe place and, if possible, with other children. We put away office toys, i-pads, i-phones, computers or anything else that deprives movement and mainly keeps children away from communication.
We read often so that the child sees us and imitates us when he is resting. We don't fix it with stereotyped (without variety) occupations, all hours of the weekend. The child needs variety in his life and in his experiences.
Especially for children entering school for the first time, it is important that they are taught a way to organize their studies. We decide the time when the study will be done. Some children function better in the early afternoon, while others function better after they have rested first. We choose a quiet study area, away from sources of noise and distracting stimuli. We try to give the child ideas and directions on how to study, but we don't complete their homework for them and we don't offer them ready-made solutions. The child will understand his lessons better if we try to apply his knowledge in his daily life. Above all, we don't forget to reward him for his effort and we don't get frustrated when he can't complete a task.
