Starting a Successful School Year: Teachers' Tips for Parents
Back-to-school season is officially upon us: the season when parents of children from kindergarten upward worry about how to best prepare their children to deal with the challenges of the school year. This year, we asked Merry Bagley, a 35-year veteran Master Teacher, multiple learning grant winner, and multiple Teacher of the Year award winner, what she thought would be the most helpful things parents could know to help their kids have the best school year possible. Here are her answers!
1. Routines are important (and should start early)
“It would make a big difference if parents would start their get-ready-for-school routines a few weeks before school starts. This would give kids time to adjust to a new sleep schedule, get into the habit of getting dressed, packing their bags, or, for bigger kids, having a set time of day they already expect to be ‘homework time.’ The families who pick a schedule early and stick to it have much less hectic mornings, and much easier back-to-school transitions.”
2. Communication is key
“Teachers really appreciate when parents maintain open lines of communication and keep it up all year. So many times I’ve had to reach out to parents about important things, only to hear nothing back. We don’t want to make your life harder. We only want to keep you informed about your child’s progress. We’re on the same team, and it’s easier to come together so your child can win if you talk to us!”
3. School supplies are important
“Please read the school supply list and provide the necessary items. Please. Teachers have to buy their own supplies on dwindling budgets and may or may not have extra supplies for your child–which is why we send school supply lists. If you’re in a tough situation and can’t afford school supplies, reach out to the teacher who sent the list (see number 2) and we’ll be able to help your child get what they need, but we won’t know unless you tell us.”
4. Support at home is crucial, especially during the summer
“Teachers don’t expect parents to do their children’s homework, but we do appreciate it when parents make sure to be supportive to their kids’ learning. This can include setting aside dedicated time and space for homework, opting for tutoring services, and making the effort at home to let the information covered at school sink in. Over the summer, or even just before school, extra learning support helps a lot. Kids forget a lot of the material from the previous year over the summer. Anything you can do to help reinforce their knowledge will give them a head start in the coming year.”
Resources We Love: Our Jump Start classes help kids get the “jump” on any subject so they can be prepared for next year. Our Bridging the Gap classes help fill any learning gaps from the previous year to make sure no learning gaps affect your child’s learning next year. Between the two of them, all subjects are covered, so you can be sure your child is prepared for the next year, no matter what subject might be of concern or special interest.
5. Your attitude toward school influences your kids
“Kids mirror their parents’ attitudes toward school. If you love school and respect teachers, your kids will love school and respect teachers. If you hated school and still don’t really see its importance, or talk disparagingly about their teachers, they won’t respect school or their teachers either. They see you, they love you, and they learn from watching you (even if you don’t think they do.) If you show enthusiasm and a positive outlook towards education, your kids will benefit and their teachers will feel more respected. It’s a win-win for everybody.”
6. Teaching kids responsibility helps everyone
“Taking responsibility is hard sometimes, even for adults. But if you can teach your child how to take responsibility for their behavior, belongings, and school work, you’re already an A+ parent in my book. Independence, responsibility, and accountability lay the groundwork for your child’s success not only as a student, but as a productive person. This is something that has to start at home, and not enough parents realize its importance.”
7. Learning shouldn’t stop once kids go home for the day
“In the early years all the way up to high school, kids are discovering who they are and what they want to be. Use any opportunity to help them explore their interests and learn more about them outside of school. Hobbies, sports, art, even video games. To truly foster a love of learning, it has to continue at home.”
Resources We Love: No matter what your child’s interests, Varsity Tutors has got something for them. Dig into our upcoming class, All About Mummies with Dr. Colleen Darnell, dive into Incredible Invertebrates with the South Carolina Aquarium, or learn to create video games with Codeverse classes! Check out more of our Live Online Classes and let your kids have fun learning!
As you prepare for the year, teachers want parents to know that their partnership is vital for the success of their children. By working together, maintaining open communication, and providing a supportive home environment, you can help ensure that back-to-school season is a positive and productive time for everyone involved. Have a wonderful back-to-school season!
