As the new school year approaches, students of all ages are gearing up for a fresh start. To help your kids make the most of this exciting time, we’ve compiled a list of unconventional tips that can set them up for success, whether they’re in elementary school, high school or beyond.
For elementary school students:
- Help them practice mindfulness: Encourage your child to take a few minutes each day to focus on their breathing and be present in the moment. Studies have shown that mindfulness can improve attention, reduce stress and enhance overall well-being You can read more about the power of mindfulness here.
- Encourage their creativity: Incorporate art, music or storytelling into your child’s daily routine. Creative activities can boost their problem-solving skills, self-expression and emotional development. Learn more here.
- Encourage outdoor play: Allocate time for your child to explore nature and engage in physical activity. Outdoor play has been linked to improved cognitive function, social skills and overall health.
- Foster a growth mindset: Teach your kid that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Praise their effort and progress rather than just what they’re innately good at. You can find out more about encouraging a growth mindset here.)
For high school and university and college students:
- Prioritize sleep: Help your kids establish a consistent sleep schedule that aims for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Enough sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, learning and overall academic performance. Insist that they unplug from their devices and screens at least an hour or two before bedtime.
- Introduce them to active recall: Instead of passively reading notes, tell them about how engaging in active recall techniques like summarizing information in their own words, creating flashcards or teaching others can improve long-term retention and understanding. (More here.)
- Show them how to embrace failure as a learning opportunity: Help them reframe failures as valuable lessons and opportunities for growth. Cultivating a positive attitude towards failure can increase resilience and motivation. Here’s a good place to start.
- Encourage them to seek out diverse perspectives: Engaging with people from different backgrounds and participating in extracurricular activities will broaden their horizons. Exposure to diverse viewpoints can enhance critical thinking, creativity and social skills.
By incorporating some of these unconventional tips into their back-to-school routine, your kids can set themselves up for a successful and enriching school year. Remember, small changes can lead to big improvements in their academic performance and overall well-being.
What tips have you offered your children to help them get them back into the swing of things at school? Please share your suggestions with the Shopper’s Voice community!
Did you know: Cultivate their love of learning
One more tip for students of all ages: Encourage their curiosity and engage in activities that spark their interests beyond the classroom. Research shows that fostering a love for learning can lead to better academic performance, increased motivation and a more fulfilling educational experience.