Back-to-School Basics

Some Tips for Stocking Up on Supplies and Setting Up a Homework-Friendly Space

By Jenn Diamond

(...continued)

Bearable backpacks
“Some experts recommend that a backpack should weigh no more than 15 percent of a child’s body weight,” says John Vigorita, MD, attending pediatrician and vice president of the Medical Staff at Overlook.

A backpack should be worn balanced as well—that is, using both straps. Wearing only one strap over one shoulder can result in muscle imbalances and pain in the shoulders and neck. The American Academy of Pediatrics also advises:

• using backpacks with wide, padded shoulder straps and backs
• packing items in all compartments
• carrying the heaviest items in the center of the backpack
• using a rolling backpack if possible.

Another recommendation, from Joseph Tribuna, MD, director of Overlook Family Practice, is to carry some books to evenly distribute the total weight.

Transportation Safety
Whether taking the bus, riding their bike or walking to school, kids need to be reminded how to stay safe. The National Safety Council reports some 9,000 injuries from school-bus incidents last year alone, many of them occurring during the entering or exiting of the
vehicle. Find a safe place away from traffic and the street for your child to wait for the bus and, once the bus has come to a complete stop, have him or her use the handrail when boarding and disembarking. Your child should always remain in clear view of the driver and be aware of the traffic around him. “Parents also should talk to their kids about staying quiet and behaving on the bus, so as not to distract the driver and possibly cause
an accident,” Dr. Tribuna says.

Kids who are walking or biking are urged to do so in a group and to cross at intersections or where guards are stationed. You might want to establish a route with your child, one that requires few street crossings and avoids vacant lots or fields.

For children being picked up by car, parents need to arrange for backup and let school officials know if someone else will be bringing them home.

Homework Habits
To ready your kids for the resumption of school work, Dr. Vigorita suggests having them practice their skills a couple of weeks prior to the start of school. “Much like preparing for sports participation, practice of fundamental skills is necessary before school begins.
Practicing penmanship and writing should help children fine-tune their motor skills and help them organize their thought processes.”

When kids work on the computer, make sure the screen is at eye level and that wrists are straight rather than turned up, which can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. Periodic breaks should be taken every hour from both reading books and computer work to alleviate eye and neck fatigue as well as any frustration with homework assignments.

By approaching homework in a calm and relaxed manner, you will help your child to focus and concentrate, and allow her to develop good study habits. You also should:

• designate a set time for doing homework
• create a quiet, well-lit environment with supplies such as pens, pencils and a dictionary
• teach your child how to complete a large project in increments so that it doesn’t become overwhelming
• answer questions without doing the homework for him or her
• reward homework successes

When Kids Avoid School
New teachers and schedules can make the coming year fraught with worry. For younger children separation anxiety is common, and it’s important for parents to allay their fears and reassure them that their family and home will still be there at the end of the school day. “If possible, take a ‘road trip’ to the school before the first day to show your child that
it’s not a scary place. Visit the teacher and the classroom,” recommends Dr. Tribuna. You also may want to plan a play date with a classmate to foster familiarity. When it’s time to say goodbye, be firm and quick.

Older kids may be faced with bullying or have difficulties with certain teachers. Talk to your tween or teen and be supportive. Should the situation warrant, contact the principal, guidance counselor or school nurse.

After four or five missed school days due to anxiety, see your pediatrician or family doctor.

In general, be enthusiastic about school and re-establish routines. Offers Dr. Vigorita, “Prepare ahead of time and you should be fine.”

Afterschool activity
With many dads and moms working outside of the home, children frequently must let themselves into the house after school. So at what age is it appropriate for a child to do so? Some experts say 12, but Dr. Vigorita asserts, “Never, if possible. Younger kids can inadvertently turn on a stove or be harmed in other ways. Teens can engage in dangerous behaviors, such as having afterschool ‘parties’ where alcohol and drugs are readily
available.”

When the bell rings at the end of the school day, many working parents are at a loss of what to do with their children. The hours immediately after school until dinnertime are usually the hardest for working families. Children in primary school are too young to care for themselves and children in middle school and above often lack the maturity to be left
alone in the house for long periods of time. Quality after-school programs, however, can meet the needs of parents and children by providing a healthy alternative to the increasingly growing number of “latchkey” children.

To meet this need, many school districts have instituted on-site after-school programs, but you can’t wait until school starts to find one for your child. If you’re looking for the first time, start looking as early as possible. Good places to start your search include your local school district, YMCA, local childcare centers, churches, local colleges and your towns department of recreation. Another good place to start is by asking the other parents in your neighborhood. If possible, take your child to visit an after-school program before committing to one. Clothing, equipment, safety and supervision are four critical areas parents should focus their attention on when preparing to send their kids back to school. Once these areas are taken care of, the rest is easy…well, sort of. Good luck!

PREVIOUS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | NEXT