Back to school 2012

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Hava Johnston	Keller Williams Plano
	Featured Articles Back-to-School with no stress Helpful Homework Hints Backpack Safety Children and Moving The Trivia Block

Back-to-School With No Stress? It Could Happen! When the warm summer months begin to wind down and the days become a little shorter, you can almost smell it in the air - back-to-school time is here! And, just as fall and cooler weather approach, so does back-to-school anxiety. Between kids fearing they'll miss the bus and won't make new friends, and parents feeling stressed about hectic mornings and carpooling chaos, how can anyone get excited about the first day back to school? Parents, however, can set the tone for a smooth transition from summer to the new classroom by proactively addressing their children's concerns. Here are a few tips to help ease your family's back-to-school anxiety. Be enthusiastic. If you are excited and confident, your child will be, too. Prepare yourself. Note your child's reaction to separation. If possible, visit the new setting together and introduce your child to the new teacher in advance. Start daily routines. Let your child become involved with packing her lunch and laying out her clothes the night before. Also, begin an earlier bedtime at least one week before. Pack the night before. Make sure your child packs her book bag every night before bed. This eliminates the morning rush and trying to locate stray items. Always say good-bye to your child. Be firm, but friendly about separating. Never ridicule a child for crying. Instead, make supportive statements like, "I know it's hard to say good-bye." Send a photo of your family or write a reassuring note and put it in his backpack or lunch box. At the end of the workday, put aside your work concerns and focus on being a parent. Back to the Top

Helpful Homework Hints (that really work!) Here are some ways to make homework time easier for you and your child: Have a regular place for your child to do homework - a desk or table in a quiet room. Set a regular time for homework. You may want to make a rule, "No television until homework is finished." Set aside ample time for homework and help your child plan how she'll use her time. Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do the homework for her. To help alleviate fatigue, have your child close the books for 10 minutes every hour and go do something else. If your child is struggling with a particular subject, and you aren't able to help, a tutor can be a good solution. Discuss it with the teacher first. Have your child do the most difficult homework first. Save "easy" subjects for last. Praise your child's good work. Your interest will encourage good work. Back to the Top

Backpack Safety When choosing a backpack, look for the following: Wide, padded shoulder straps. Narrow straps can dig into shoulders, causing pain and restricting circulation. Padded back. A padded back protects against sharp edges on objects inside the pack. To prevent injury when using a backpack, do the following: Pack light. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the student's body weight. Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles and may increase curvature of the spine. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. Use a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried upstairs.and they may be difficult to roll in snow. Courtesy of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Back to the Top

Children and Moving When a family move becomes inevitable, it is important to involve your children in the process. Since moving can cause some concerns for children, like going to a new school, leaving friends, and unfamiliarity about the new neighborhood, things will go a lot easier if your children support your efforts to get your current home sold. It is important that children keep their toys and clothes put away, and teenagers understand about keeping their room in "showing" condition. Also, showing a family home is much more successful for the realtor if the family is away. Make an effort to include everyone in the discussions about the move and your children on house hunting trips. Contact a realtor who is comfortable with children and will be sensitive to their needs and concerns. New House, New School? Try This... If possible, give your child three months' notice before an upcoming move, so that he has time to get used to the idea. Explain the reason for relocating. Familiarize your child with her new neighborhood ahead of time. Emphasize the positive aspects of the move. Contact the school your child will be attending and arrange a time to visit. Back to the Top

The Trivia Block The world's youngest parents were 8 & 9 and lived in China in 1910. (Think of the homework in that house!) Back to the Top