Student Wellbeing
Headstart Week
Today, we started Headstart Week!!!!
The day started with the excited chatter amongst friends and questions, lots of questions.
It wasn't long before each of the children found out their class and new teacher for 2021. Smiles, cheers, hugs and tears followed for the first half an hour of a very busy day.
I am including in today's newsletter some advice for parents in having positive conversations with their child this week. We cannot underestimate the impact this pandemic year has had on our students and whilst many students will adapt easily, many will also take time to process another change in 2020. This week is a wonderful opportunity for us as teachers and your children to get to know each other, answer questions and prepare for an exciting 2021 school year!
Talking about school
Why talking about school is important
Talking with your child about the school day shows you’re interested in what’s going on in his life. This interest boosts his mental health, happiness and wellbeing. It can also have a very positive effect on your child’s behaviour and achievement. It shows your child that you value school and education, which encourages him to value it too.
Talking together about school also helps you get to know more about what’s expected of your child at school, how she learns and how she handles challenges. It can help you understand when she’s feeling less interested in school or having problems.
When you’re in touch with your child’s feelings about school, you’re more likely to see problems before they get too big. This way you can work on overcoming challenges together.
And talking about school issues – like school projects or friendship problems – is also a great chance for you to express your family values about things like teamwork, respect for self and others, friendships, relationships, problem-solving and so on.
Strategies for talking about school with your child
Your child will probably be tired and hungry or thinking about other things when she first gets home. So easing the transition from school or after-school activities to home can help your child feel more like talking.
It’s best to avoid asking him lots of questions straight away. You can just let your child know that you’re glad to see him, and talk about non-school topics for a while. Younger children will probably also like unpacking their bags and going through any notes before you ask about school.
Saving questions about homework for later on can also take the pressure off!
Every afternoon or evening will be different. Even if your child usually likes to share her day with you, there’ll be days when she doesn’t want to talk. Sometimes it’s a matter of sensing her mood and picking the right moment. Some days there might not be a right moment at all, and that’s OK.
Simple, positive and specific questions about parts of the day can get your child talking. For example:
- What’s the news from school today?
- What was fun?
- What did you like best at school today?
- What does your classroom look like at the moment?
- Who did you hang out with today?
- What subjects did you do today?
- What projects are you working on at the moment?
From raisingchildren.net.au
Merry Christmas and we will see you all next year!
