By Joan Wyler
Contributing columnist
September is the perfect time for individuals and families to assess past behavior and set goals for the future.
There is a need to transition from the relaxed pace of summer with few regulations to the necessity of established schedules. No longer can children disregard time by sleeping late in the morning and having no set bedtime. No longer can teens spend unlimited hours talking and texting with friends. No longer can youth leisurely enjoy full days swimming at a pool or playing with friends in the neighborhood. In addition to the breathtaking beauty of autumn, September means adopting a new mindset. We need to transition from a leisurely summer into determining regulated schedules which will help accomplish personal goals. Establishing successful schedules should be a joint decision including input from both the youth and adult. Invite your children to a scheduling meeting to state goals and establish schedules. Serving their favorite ice cream will help to create a positive mood as the new schedules are determined.
Time schedules
Schedules need to include realistic times that can be followed in order to accomplish the determined goal. A day’s unhurried start helps youth arrive at school in a positive state of mind. Thus, the wakeup time should provide enough time to dress, eat breakfast, check their bags and catch transportation to school without rushing. Avoiding a chaotic start at home will translate to a positive beginning to the child’s school day.
Homework schedules
When and where homework takes place will influence the child’s learning process. Homework needs to be taken seriously, with a planned work-space and reserved time. Parents and children together can reserve a quiet space with a clear work surface and good light to study and complete projects. The middle of the kitchen table with siblings going in and out is not conducive to studying. Find a private space in a room where the child does not have distractions such as the phone, television and siblings playing. At the same time respect this special time slot in the day to accomplish the homework. There is not a uniform amount of time for a child to study. This will be determined individually for each child. If the child is having difficulty with his schoolwork, consult the teacher to learn the expectations. Adhering to a homework schedule will contribute to success at school.
Activity Schedules
There is more to a child’s school day than academics. Encourage your children to participate in activities that expand their interests and increase their skills. Interaction with other children is key to the development of socialization skills. Careful scheduling of activities often is required for a child to register and participate in desired activities. Scheduling is important to ensure the child can manage the necessary time commitment for athletic teams, band practices and club meetings. These schedules may require further coordination in order to provide the necessary transportation beyond the school day. Since these activities are optional, the parents’ encouragement and coordination are usually required.
With the Rosh Hashanah holiday occurring in September, a perfect time is created for parents to interact with children to look forward to a positive new year. The holiday encourages looking forward to a new year and reflecting on the past year to improve oneself. This offers an opportunity for those in parenting roles to develop with their children a fall schedule that will assist youth determine and accomplish positive goals.
