The new academic year has started or is regarding to start in most educational institutions of Pakistan.
The only permanent way to move children to a new grade in the new school year is through a grade change.
Each new grade brings with it a unique set of challenges, from adapting to new teachers and classmates to adjusting to increased academic expectations.
For many children, this transition can be both exciting and intimidating, as they move to new places to meet new academic and social demands.
Prepare your child for the new change
Discuss the changes with your child in advance, emphasizing the positive aspects and reassuring them that it is normal to feel nervous, which will go away with time.
Encourage extracurricular summers to bond with new classmates
Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities or events, where they can make new friends who share similar interests.
Help them prepare for grade level
Help your child review their study material and provide sources of extra help where they may need it. To ensure that they feel confident in their abilities.
Know the expectations of your child’s teachers and school
Be familiar with the expectations of your child’s teachers and the new grade.
Open communication with teachers can help alleviate any concerns and ensure your child gets the support they need.
Encourage positive activities and positive associations
Celebrate your child’s successes, no matter how small, and create a positive association with learning to boost their confidence and motivation.
Talk less, ask more questions
Encourage open dialogue by asking your child regarding their day and any challenges they face.
Listen carefully and offer guidance without being overly directive.
Create a safe space
Create a supportive environment at home, where your child feels comfortable expressing their feelings and discussing any difficulties they face at school.
This will help them feel more confident to face challenges.
When parents ignore their children’s feelings or react harshly to their anger, it can teach them that it is acceptable to use abusive language or resort to violence.
By validating children’s feelings and teaching healthy coping mechanisms, parents can help their children avoid negative behaviors.
Disrespect others
Parents are role models for children, and when parents show disrespect to others, be it a neighbor, a family member, or anyone else, children pick up on them. They may imitate the parent’s behavior, thinking it is normal or acceptable.
Parents can combat this by modeling respect and kindness in their interactions and by teaching their children the importance of treating others with dignity and compassion.
Loss of children’s sense of worth
Acceptance and validation are basic needs for children to thrive. When parents fail to understand their children for who they are, whether it’s their interests, quirks, or personality traits, it can lead to feelings of disrespect and worthlessness.
Creating a nurturing environment where children feel valued for their individuality can help to increase their self-esteem and sense of worth.
Encourage dishonesty
Honesty is the foundation of trust, but sometimes, in the heat of the moment, parents may react negatively when their child tells the truth regarding a mistake or wrongdoing. This can subconsciously teach children that it is better to lie or hide information in order to face the consequences.