It feels like school just ended, but it is time for us parents to start an action plan to ensure our children’s success in school . Regardless of your child’s age, school should be healthy, Safe, and fun. With the approach of the new school year, here are a few tips that you should keep in mind. My tips are for the whole, well-balanced student, which will empower them to succeed in all areas of their lives.
1. Start providing your child with a healthy self image. When you look in the mirror, complement yourself and let your child see you speaking positive about yourself. In turn, he or she will do likewise. It is important for your child to start the day with a positive view of his or her self image . Positive habits developed at a young age will last throughout life.
2. Help your child be confident. Your child needs to possess confidence in order to be able to navigate successfully in school. Confidence will help your child be able to stand for what’s right in any given situation. Confidence will help your child be a leader in front of others. Confidence will help your child choose the right kind of friends to associate with. Confidence will also help your child rise above academically.
3. Prepare a wholesome breakfast. It is common knowledge that breakfast is the most important meal of the day; however, many children are not receiving well balanced meals before school. Think about the food pyramid you learned about in elementary school and try different options that will incorporate your recommended daily intake. Skip the refined white sugar. A sample breakfast could be one of the following:
- Whole grain cereal with milk, an assortment of fruit, and a glass of water.
- One slice of whole grain toast and a small omelet made with two eggs, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, sweet peppers, and a small amount of shredded cheese with kiwi slices and a glass of water.
- Create a fruit smoothy with a variety of fruit, milk or tofu, honey or agave to sweeten.
4. Encourage your child to be ready the night before. Children should be encouraged to pick out their clothes and have their backpack ready and waiting. Many children are not fired up and ready to go in the mornings, so the less they have to do the morning, before school, the better.
5. While your child is a toddler get him or her in the habit of proper hand washing. Hand sanitizer is not as good as good old-fashioned soap and water.
6. Train your child to be comfortable telling you about what is going on at school. Always have a listening ear for what your child has to say.
7. Pack lunches with your child. Once again, stay away from refined white sugary treats. Encourage them to eat a wide variety of fruit. Also, pack fresh vegetables so he or she will be in a habit of eating food with a lot of nutrients. Going back to the pyramid again, when creating lunch choose from the following:
- Vegetables – Provide an assortment of raw and or cooked vegetables
- Fruit -Preferably fresh without added sugar for sweetness
- Starch – Provide one to two servings of whole grain bread, pasta, brown rice or other starch (remember that potatoes and corn are in the starch family)
- Protein – Add one of the following meat, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, eggs, beans, and legumes.
- Thirst quencher – milk, 100% fruit juice or water.
8. Ease your children’s minds when it come to being comfortable with authority figures. It is important for your child to trust you and other adults like his or her teacher that may be able to help if an unpleasant situation arises.
9. Make learning fun for your child/children. Show an interest in their school work. Let them know that you are willing to assist them in their academic needs. Reward them when they do something outstanding. Allow them a chance to feel special about doing something great at school. If you do, they will continue to excel.
10. Before school starts let your child/children know what you expect from them. Be clear, loving, and willing to assist them. Also make sure that he or she is prepared. Have all of their school supplies, immunizations, and eye exams already taken care of so they will be well equipped with everything they need to have a successful school year.