September is the only
month of year that I get to ask all my patients the same question when they
come to the office…the infamous question is “How is school going this year?!!” Inevitably I get a full gamut of answers, from
great to “not so much,” to coin the popular phrase.
I asked our editor
Donna Thomas to find our patients a great article that speaks directly to them,
not necessarily their parents, but they can share it with mom and dad of course!
So parents, I would ask
you to share this article with your children, and please let them know that on
the home page of our website we have great resources for parents, teens and
kids. Donna tells me it’s full of informative articles written at every level.
As parents, we need to understand that sometimes
our children are more comfortable reading about an issue they may be experiencing,g
rather than talking to a parent or a friend. That is why we rely on healthykids.org
as a primary source for topical articles in pediatrisc.
I hope your kids will
find this article on returning to school helpful. It certainly has been a while
sinceI have had to deal with my daughters returning to school! But, I am very fortunate to have
grandchildren ranging from elementary school through college, so you can
imagine the variety of stories I hear!
I want to wish all our Pedimedica patients and the children of our
wonderful staff a happy and healthy school year!
All the best,
Dr. “A”
It's school time
again! You're probably feeling excited and maybe a little sad that summer is
over. Some kids feel nervous or a little scared on the first day of school
because of all the new things: new teachers, new friends, and maybe even a new
school. Luckily, these "new" worries only stick around for a little
while. Let's find out more about going back to school.
The First Day
Most teachers kick off the school year by introducing
themselves and talking about all the stuff you'll be doing that year. Some
teachers give students a chance to tell something about themselves to the rest
of the class.
When teachers do the talking on the first day, they often go
over classroom rules so you'll know what's allowed and what's not. Pay close
attention so you'll know if you need to raise your hand to ask a question and
what the rules are about visiting the restroom.
You might already know a lot of kids in your classes on the
first day. But it's a great day to make a new friend, so try to say hello to
kids you know and new ones that you don't. Make the first move and you'll be
glad you did and so will your new friend!
Moving to Middle
School?
Sixth grade often signals a move to middle school or junior
high, where you'll find lockers and maybe a homeroom. This is just what it
sounds like — a classroom you'll go to each morning, kind of like your home in
the school. In middle school, you might move from classroom to classroom for
each subject. Your teachers know that this is a big change from elementary
school and will help you adjust.
Most teachers let you pick your own seat on the first day,
but by the second or third morning, they'll have mapped out a seating plan. At
first, it's a good idea to write down where your seat is in your notebook so
you don't forget.
Feeling Good on Day One
Seeing friends you haven't seen in a while can make the
first day a good one. You also can make the day feel special by wearing an
outfit you like. Maybe you got a great T-shirt on vacation, or your new
sneakers put a spring in your step. If you wear a uniform, you might wear a
favorite watch, a new hair band, or a piece of jewelry to show your personal
style.
It can make you feel good to be prepared and have all the
supplies you need. Some schools distribute supply lists before the year begins,
so you can come stocked up on pencils, folders, and whatever else you'll be
needing. Once you've covered the basics, you might tuck an extra few dollars in
your backpack for an emergency (like forgetting your lunch money). Or maybe
you'd like to bring along a book or magazine to read while you're on the bus.
Whatever you put in your backpack, make sure you pack it the
night before. This prevents the morning panic when you can't find your homework
or lunch box. Speaking of lunch, that's something else that can help you feel
good at school — whether it's the first day or the 100th day. Help your parents
pack it the night before if you don't like what's on the menu at the cafeteria.
Try to include a variety of foods in your packed lunch, especially fruits and
vegetables.
Get Oriented
The first day of school is your first chance to find your
way around a new school, or learn the pathways to new classes in your old
school. It's a lot to learn in one day, so don't be surprised if you need a
reminder or two.
It might help to write a few notes to yourself, so you'll
remember the important stuff, like your locker combination and that lunch
starts at 11:43, not 12:10. Before you know it, your fingers will fly as you
open your locker and you won't have to check your notes to know what time lunch
starts!
A Bad Start?
What if you hate school by the end of day
one? Teachers recommend giving things some time to sort themselves out — once
you know your way around the building and get adjusted to the new routine,
you'll probably feel better. If those feelings don't fade, talk to your mom,
dad, teacher, or school counselor.
Here are a few final tips for a fantastic school year:
- Get
enough sleep.
- Eat a
healthy breakfast.
- Try
your best.
- Use
good work habits, like writing down your assignments and turning in
your homework on
time.
- Take
your time with school work. If you don't understand something, ask the
teacher.
- Keep a
sense of humor. One teacher we know shows his new students a picture of
himself graduating high school — a grinning ape in a red graduation cap
and gown. This usually makes the kids laugh, and it's a good way to remind
them that school is fun!
