Help Your Children Prepare Now For A Great Rest Of The School Year

Can you believe we’ve reached the end of 2021? We don’t know about you, but to us, this year flew by faster than ever. The natural inclination is to slide into the end of the calendar year and let 2022 take care of itself. Unfortunately, that may not be the best way to prepare your child for the second half of the school year. Even though our holiday break is much shorter than summer break, we still see kids struggle to get back into the swing of things come January. Your work to prepare for the next semester will enable them to have a productive and focused year.

Maintain Focus Until The Very End

The holidays can throw us all off course. Between parties, presents, and fun family activities, it’s easy to coast into the end of the semester. This is an excellent opportunity to teach your children how to stay focused on a task until it is complete. There are so many adults running around the world who never learned this and suffer for it. Take this opportunity to teach your children how important it is to lean in, even when it’s boring or there are more fun things to do. We promise it will pay off in the future. 

Additionally, that last bit of effort that is paid at the end of the fall semester will set your child up for better success in the spring. This is a prime example of the old adage, you reap what you sow. Let’s work together to teach your children how to sow goodness and success into their futures.

Take An Inventory Of The Fall Semester

When school finally does come to an end for the semester, sit down with your family and take an inventory of what worked and what didn’t this school year. For example, you may find that too many extracurriculars were overwhelming for your child, or that they really didn’t enjoy playing soccer that much. Talk about the systems you put in place. Does homework time work better before or after dinner? Do your kids need a dedicated place to study? Perhaps one of your children needs silence and the other prefers background noise. Sometimes these little details fall through the cracks during the busy school year. Set aside some dedicated time to chat with your children about what worked and what didn’t and how you can move forward together.

Plan For An Even Better Spring

Whether you had a great fall semester, or your child struggled a little bit, we’re all starting over in the spring. The inventory you took will give you tools to help your children succeed as we move through the rest of the year. A hard semester can do a number on your child’s self-esteem, this short break between semesters is a great time to encourage them that this too shall pass. And that with hard work and the right tools the rest of the year can be a success. Part of the planning and preparation for the spring might be deciding what the right tools are. Does your child need more academic support in a particular area? Perhaps they are involved in too many extracurriculars? Sit down and include your children in a plan for an exceptional second semester of school. You may be surprised at the input they have.

We all live in a world that pushes us toward achievement. In some cases, that’s positive. It’s enabled scientists to cure diseases and travel space. It’s developed some of the world’s greatest athletes and most talented artists. But, it also comes with downsides. As you prepare for the coming year, remember to enjoy the moments right in front of you. As parents, we all hope for parenting tips that give us clarity and help us be the best we can be for our children. There’s one parenting tip we want you to take home, you’re doing a great job, and your children are beloved just as they are!

In this new year and semester, we at St. Barnabas wish peace, joy, the satisfaction that comes with hard work, and lots of fun to you and your family. You, parents, are doing a great job, and your children are evidence of that. Remember that we have resources to offer your family as you make your way through the end of the school year, and above all that, as members of our community, you are part of a family. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything. If you’re not already a member of the St. Barnabas School community and you’d like to be, please contact our office any time. We’d be glad to have you.

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386-734-3005