Back-to-School Resources and Tips for Parents

School Safety

Internet Safety

The Internet is a wealth of knowledge at one’s fingertips. From learning about history and distant lands to learning about what’s going in your own neighborhood and staying up to date on current events, the internet can be an informative resource for everyone.

But the internet can also be a dangerous place, especially to children. There are numerous predators and other unfriendly characters just waiting to prey on unsuspecting users. It is important children are informed about the dangers of the internet and a number of other important factors children need to observe when going online.

For more information on internet safety, visit the following links:

School Safety & Prevention

Students who feel safe at school perform better academically than students that do not feel safe. Kids who feel connected to school are less likely to be involved in risky health behaviors: drug use, cigarette smoking, early sex, violence, and suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Stranger Danger

The world can be a scary place, and making sure kids know what to do in difficult situations is important. Protect your kids and teach them about Stranger Danger.

For more information: http://www.safety4kids.com.au/safety-zone/stranger-danger

 

Tips for Caregivers

The new school year brings a lot of change. For a child in foster care, these changes may be difficult to manage. As a parent/caregiver/foster parent, there are many things you can do to help children successfully adjust to the new school year and help them succeed during the year. Here are just a few success tips:

Build Excitement

The new school year brings a lot of exciting moments. More than just class and homework, students will have a number of new experiences. Talk to your child in care about the opportunities they’ll have over the course of the year. Be sure to research the activities that most interest them (music, sports, art, etc.) and encourage them to be involved.

Let Them Take Ownership

Let your child be a part of their daily routine, whether it’s packing their own lunch or picking out their clothes. When a child exercises independence, it helps them mature and shows them that their voice matters.

Create a Dialog with Teachers

Reach out to your child in care’s teacher to let them know you have a child in foster care. This is a good way teachers can prepare for any possible challenges. Give the teacher as much information as you can without breaking confidentiality help insure your child has a positive school year.

Get Involved

Reach out to the child’s teacher regularly to see how your child is doing. Foster children have had very difficult life experiences that can impact their success in school. It’s important that you have regular updates about day to day school life to help your child successfully manage distractions, keep healthy relationships, and get the necessary support services to optimize his/her learning experiences.

 

Tips for Kids

With the back-to-school season getting started, it’s important students establish good study habits in order to have a successful school year. These are just a few handy tips students can use to help them achieve their potential.

Stay Organized

Students should develop a way to stay organized that works for them and in a way that works with schedules and needs outside of studying. But being organized takes time and practice and if an organization system doesn’t work the first time, try a different method. It may just be a matter of becoming accustomed to it.

Avoid Distractions

Distractions are just that, a distraction. If a study place has a lot of noise, whether from TV or music playing, it can be difficult to focus and concentrate. A study space should be used for studying and working on assignments and shouldn’t have a lot of tempting distractions.

Talk with Teachers

A student shouldn’t be afraid to talk with teachers. Teachers are there to help guide and provide to a student and a good relationship with a teacher can lead to additional instruction and extra help. Talking with teachers also demonstrates a students’ commitment to their academic performance and their desire to succeed.

Keep Things Together

Keep what’s needed for studying and assignments (books, notebooks, folders) together for each class. That way, when material is needed for one subject, they are located in one place and can be easily found, making it less likely to forget something.

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement can go a long way to helping someone study. When assignments and studies have been completed, a little break can be a great reward, and will even help avoid procrastination.

Schedule Tasks

Set a time to work on and complete assignments based on how long they will take to complete and how soon they are due. Once it’s determined what needs to be done, deadlines and how long they’ll take to complete can be decided. Assignments can then be prioritized and a clear schedule for completing them can be set.

Study Smarter

An effective way of studying is to do so in 30 to 45 minute blocks, but allow for quick (few minutes long) breaks. By studying this way, it allows time to focus on the subject while also allowing time in between to reenergize. But make sure those quick breaks don’t turn into long procrastination breaks.

 

Additional Resources

Did you know Strong Families AZ is a network of free home visiting programs helping families raise kids ready to succeed in school…and in life? From guidance in developmental milestones or early childhood literacy programs to physical and emotional health in young children, Strong Families AZ specializes in programs that help families and children succeed. Learn more about the home visiting programs offered through Strong Families AZ:

 

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