After two months of summer vacation here in the Philippines, around 25.7 million students troop down to schools today, whether in public or private school, from preschool to college. The Department of Education (DepEd) did all the necessary preparations such as the Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) and Brigada Eskwela or National Schools Maintenance Week. Despite all the efforts of the local and national government, hundreds and thousands of teachers cry for pay hike and improve Philippine education system. That’ what I’ve seen and read in the news last weekend.
How about us, parents – are we ready yet? and how about the students, are they excited in going back to school?
I’m sure our children were pre-occupied with various things during summer. Some engaged in sports, others enrolled in arts and music-related classes (ballet, voice, playing musical instrument and the like) while other kids plainly enjoyed each and every minute of it just like my little girl over here. She had a blast in out-of-town trips in Antipolo, Nueva Ecija, and just recently she visited her Grandma in Sorsogon. I let her enjoy summer to bits. I think by letting her do all the she loves make her all the more excited to go back to school, especially now that she transferred to a new one. For her, new school means new environment, new teachers and new friends.
Many kids are excited to go back to school. Some are anxious on the first day high though. Dread it or love it , kids need to go to school for a better future. To combat the first-day problem, I’m sharing some tips for you and your children:
1. Help first-timers like nursery student (for preschool), elementary first grader, first year high school/secondary, and college freshman to familiarize his/her new school environment. Bringing him/her to the school days prior the opening of classes will help him/her explore the different parts of the school.
2. Most new kids and freshmen are scared, shy or feel mixed emotions during the first day. So, watch out of the symptoms of anxiety. Don’t take them for granted. It is important to talk to the child as well the school staff to discuss the issues and find appropriate solutions.
3. Have a menu of healthy, nutritions and energy-boosting foods for the kids’ snacks and/or lunch.
4. If you find it hard to wake them up early in the morning, adjusting their sleeping pattern might help. Avoid watching TV or playing computer games until wee hours of the morning.
5 . Encourage your child to join campus clubs, and sport activities. This is a good venue of learning new skills and at them time gaining new friends.
4. If you find it hard to wake them up early in the morning, adjusting their sleeping pattern might help. Avoid watching TV or playing computer games until wee hours of the morning.
5 . Encourage your child to join campus clubs, and sport activities. This is a good venue of learning new skills and at them time gaining new friends.
