August Newsletter - child development, child discipline, children education, children needs, children self-worth, children socialization, coparenting, coparent, coparents, custody, divorce, divorce agreement, marriage therapy, divorce therapy, nonadversarial, parent plan, parent plans, parent conflict, parenting plan, parent skills, renegotiation, separation, single parent, single parents, visitation, collaborative, child academic or psychological difficulties

Healing Hearts

Children of Seperation and Divorce Center, Inc. / Columbia: 410-740-9553

The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time for kids and parents alike. The following tips are for students and their parents to read and share in order to prepare for a brand new school year.
1. Get prepared. Most schools have a list of school supplies that each student needs on the first day of school. Although this sometimes adds up to a big expense, it may also help you mentally prepare for school. If you are feeling worried or anxious about starting school, ask your parent to contact the school to arrange for a visit for you and your parents. Many new students worry about things such as finding their classroom, getting to class on time, opening their lockers, finding the bathrooms, and other things that can be taken care of before the start of the school year.
2. Establish routines. Most students are more successful when they have a set routine. Kids should start going to bed earlier so that they get enough sleep each night. Eat a healthy breakfast before leaving for school each morning. Set up a quiet place for homework to be done each

afternoon or evening. Make your best effort to eat dinner as a family each evening. Eating together is a great time to catch up on the day’s events.
3. Don’t over-schedule. Extracurricular activities are great and very important to a child’s development but it is very easy for a kid to get so busy that he or she has no free time to play or relax. Parents need to help a child decide on the number of activities they can participate in without impacting family or school life.
4. Get involved. Research shows that children are more successful in school when parents are involved in their child’s education.
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Healing Hearts/ Volume 2, Issue 7 / Page 2 of 3

that are appropriate toy our child’s developmental stage.
6.Put effort into your social skills as well as your academic ones. Research shows that students who have strong social competencies are more successful in life. Parents should encourage the social development of your child by promoting decision-making and community service. Resistance and conflict resolution skills are also important for growing up in today’s world.
7. Ask for help if you need it. School is a big part of life and there are lots of caring professional here to help guide families through from kindergarten to high school graduation. If you have any concerns about the upcoming school year, share them with your school counselor. We want to help you and your family start the new year off right!

This means that as a parent, you should attend as many school functions as possible, attend parent teacher conferences, volunteer for field trips, or even scoop ice cream at the ice cream social. Take the time to get to know your child’s teacher(s) as well as being an enthusiastic school supporter.
5. Remember that learning happens outside of school. Appreciate that what you learn in school applies to life all around you, from what you do now to what you hope to do someday. Take advantage of learning opportunities inside and outside of school. This means that as parents, you should reinforce the importance of education at home. Parents are a child’s first teacher and continue to play an important role throughout their child’s school years. Use every opportunity to take advantage of cultural experiences for your child. Discuss career opportunities with your child

Draw a picture or write a song or poem. The theme is school days. Share your Creative Expression with our readers by mailing it to the address above. Happy School Year to one and all!

Get Ready; Get Set; Go!

Research shows that students who have strong social skills are more successful in life. Put some effort into your social skills as well as your academics.

Help! My parents have been separated for some time, but they finally sold our home this summer and now I will be starting fifth grade in a new school. I am really worried about how to make friends and fit in at the new school. D.W.

Dear D.W., It sounds like this is going to be a scary and exciting year for you. I wish you the very best of luck at your new school. The first thing I would recommend that

you do in preparation for the new school year is to sit down with each of your parents and read the above tips for a successful school year together. Discuss each one and think about how you can support each other in this new setting. As for fitting in, don’t try to change who you are. There is a place for you. Stay healthy and active. Ask your parents for help in finding out how to sign up for your favorite clubs, activities or

sports. In many schools, guidance counselors and teachers know ahead of time who will be new to the school and some even have a little party for the new students. Call your new school before your first day if you have questions about what to expect.