Page 33 - FWG Issue 2 March 2024

Today’s Child

Here are some practical strategies:
Spend calm time together: Regular, Don’t leave things to the last minute:
relaxed time with your children is vital. Teach your child to start on projects
It strengthens your bond and supports early, avoiding the stress of rushing just
their emotional well-being. before deadlines.
Listen and encourage sharing: Make Be involved: Remember, most grade
sure your kids know they can talk about four students aren’t quite ready to study
their feelings and worries, especially independently. Spend time with them,
with all the new things they’re helping with their studies and finding
experiencing at school. the best methods.
Use positive reinforcement: Prepare the night before: To reduce
Encourage and reward your children, morning chaos, get your child into the
avoiding criticism about their habit of packing their school bag and
schoolwork or test results. any sports kit the night before.
Show interest in their school life: Check in regularly: Go through your
Be actively interested in your child’s child’s school books weekly. It’s an
education and support them with their excellent way to see how they handle
homework and projects. the workload and cope with academic
Avoid over-scheduling: Ensure your demands.
child has enough free time to play, read, Communicate early and often:
listen to music, or relax. Don’t wait for the first parent-teacher
Children do best in a structured yet meeting to discover any issues. Stay
supportive environment. Here’s how on top of school communications and
to create that from the start of the year: be punctual with all school-related
Set a homework routine: Decide a paperwork.
specific time and place for homework
and studying. This area should be quiet, Following these tips can help smooth
organised, and have all the necessary the path through grade four, making it
says, ‘The significance of choosing the best supplies. a positive and productive year for your
school for your child cannot be understated. child.
Wherever your child is on their educational
journey, selecting a school for them should
be a careful and considered choice... and
open to change if the need arises. Many
parents prioritise prestige above all else.
They mistakenly think that enrolling their
child in a prominent, big-name school is
a ticket to smooth sailing. This isn’t always
the case.’

Parenting is not for sissies. It’s a fine line
between firm encouragement and gentle
support, wanting them to conquer the world
and helping them get through a day. We
doubt ourselves constantly, regardless of
which stance we take, but at the end of the
day, we all want what is best for our kids,
which is the source of our efforts. But we
need to cut our children some slack so they
can one day go out and conquer the world
thanks to good self-esteem, valuing their own
needs, and having compassion and empathy
through our example.

In a nutshell
Having a good relationship with your child’s
teacher is crucial. Teachers rarely suggest
significant changes like moving to a smaller
school or repeating a year unless they
genuinely believe it will benefit your child.

Fourways Gardens • 31 • March 2024