Teachers need your support now more than ever. You’re an integral contributor to your children’s success in school any time of the year, but especially during the holidays. These tips will help you keep your child focused in school throughout the holiday season, helping them to continue learning and their teachers to remain calm.
1. Maintain Their Schedules and Routines
Kids feel more comfortable with consistency, so keeping schedules and routines through the holidays can reduce behaviours and increase their focus. Your children will also be able to enjoy themselves more when they have a general idea of what to expect next.
Of course, life happens, and sometimes it’s necessary to change things up a bit. Maybe one night you want to go out and look at lights, or you’re invited to dinner at grandma’s house, and you get back late. Whenever possible, give your kids a heads-up that these changes are coming.
2. Keep a Steady Bedtime
Along with a steady schedule, you should remain firm with a consistent bedtime for your kids. They need lots of sleep to keep up with the cognitive demands of school and the excitement of their favourite holidays coming up. While it may be fun to let them stay up late for fun festivities, kids who don’t get enough sleep are at risk for behaviors and attention problems, leading to lower academic performance.
3. Be Upfront With Expectations
If you don’t usually hold a regular family meeting, now might be the time to give it a try. Everyone gets an opportunity to air any concerns or ask questions without judgment. It’s also the perfect time to share your expectations for the upcoming weeks. Be open about any exciting plans and activities, but also what you expect from their behavior at home and school.
In general, they should remain focused, getting good reports from their teachers and keeping up with homework. Offer to help them problem-solve and work together towards this goal.
4. Provide an Outlet for Holiday Excitement
During this season, your kids have numerous distractions from their schooling. Between parties, community activities and holiday traditions, their minds are constantly wandering elsewhere.
It may seem counterintuitive, but the more seasonal festivities you can offer outside of school, the better they’ll be able to concentrate in class. The fun they have with you gives them an outlet for all their pent-up holiday excitement. So go caroling, have a snowball fight, make cookies, watch football and decorate to their hearts’ content.
Fun and games that keep them active are extra beneficial since they’ll also have a release for their energy, helping them sleep better at night.
Keep the Holidays Fun and Focused
With a bit of added intention, the holidays can be both fun and focused. Keep a regular schedule at home and ensure your kids get plenty of sleep. Also, provide plenty of fun holiday activities to channel their energy and holiday spirit. These handy tips will help everyone involved get through the season with their sanity intact.
*Collaborative post
0 comments