Summer is winding down and many families are faced with the BACK TO SCHOOL realities! Who are my teachers?; What time do I have to get up in the morning?; What will I eat for lunch?; How will I get to school?; These questions and similar others will be discussed in many homes in the days before school begins!
The first day of school is usually one of excitement and anticipation! Parents and students have been back to school shopping for all the necessary school supplies and new clothes that allow students to feel dressed and ready for success!
If your student will take the bus, remind them of the following rules, shared with us by the American Academy of Pediatrics:
* wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb
* do not move around the bus
* check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing
* make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver
If, instead, your child is riding in a car, remember the following:
* all passengers should wear a seat belt and age appropriate car safety seat if needed
* all children under 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles
* do not allow teen drivers to drive while eating, drinking or talking on the cell phone, thus preventing driver distraction
If your child will bike to school:
* always wear a helmet, no matter how short the ride
* ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic
* use appropriate hand signals
* respect traffic lights and stop signs
* wear bright color clothing to increase visibility
If your child will walk to school:
* make sure your child’s route is a safe one, with well trained adult crossing guards at intersections.
* walk with a friend and don’t be distracted
* bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers
While getting to school can be one hurdle, lunch time can be another one! Lunch time can be stressful for children unless they are prepared with a healthy nutritious lunch brought from home or enjoyed in the school cafeteria. Most schools send schedules of cafeteria menus home, so that children can decide whether to pack a lunch on the days when the main course is one they prefer not to eat.
Encourage your child to choose fresh fruit, low-fat dairy products, and water. Avoid soft drinks as most contain 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. Drinking just one soft drink a day increases a child’s risk of obesity by 60 percent.
Providing students with good, nutritious food will help students stay on track during the day and a healthy snack before doing homework is a good idea too!
Begin now to assist your child in developing good homework and study habits!
* find a place for students to study with some privacy
* set aside plenty of time for homework
* turn the TV off while completing homework
* be available to assist with questions your child might have about their homework, but don’t do their homework for them
Getting prepared for BACK TO SCHOOL can help alleviate any anxiety your child may have. Keep communication lines open with your child so that they can feel comfortable discussing with you, the fears or questions they may have about the new school year!
For more information about Youth Development, contact North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Randolph County Center at 336-318-6000.
Barbara Dunn Swanson
Extension Agent
4-H Youth Development
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