Spotlight Magazines Spotlight on West Bridgford Nottingham August 2015 | Page 14

Spotlight Magazine Reinvent Yourself! How to change for the better this school year Growing up, I lived within throwing distance of the local primary school, yet every morning I arrived late and was greeted with a chant from other children: “You’re late, you’re late, your dinner’s on your plate!” I hated being singled out in this way and it has taken me years to shake off the ‘late’ label. I’m sure I’m not the only child to be labelled for a particular habit or behaviour. For others it might be “lazy”, “quiet”, “disruptive”, “noisy” or “disorganised”. But whatever the past may have held, the start of a new school year brings with it a clean slate and the chance to start anew. Defeat and discouragement should be left where they belong – in the past – while children take the chance to reinvent themselves and work towards a brighter future. Education experts say that getting a new school year off to a good start can influence a child’s attitude, confidence and performance both socially and academically. So how do we give our children the best chance of making a positive new start? First and foremost, our children need to want to change for the better and adopt the right attitude for achieving this. They need to accept responsibility for their own conduct and make a commitment to change. Having the correct equipment such as pens, pencils, rulers, rubber and reading diary are all important, but so are getting enough sleep and having a decent breakfast at the start of the day. It’s been proven that adequate sleep, food and water all aid concentration. Some food and drink, however, is counterproductive. Foods high in sugar and caffeine can cause hyperactivity, so choose carefully what to eat at lunchtime to avoid a negative impact on their afternoon lessons! Though ultimately a child is responsible for their own behaviour and performance, parents do have their part to play. Take an interest in what they are doing, ask them about their day when they get home and become involved in school life when you can. Children are our real-life mirrors; they tend to imitate what they see. If they see that they are important to you and that school is important to you, they’ll take it much more seriously and be more responsible. The start of a new school year should be exciting, a time of celebration, a time to look forward, not back. Good luck as you and your child embark on a future of new possibilities! For example, they might decide to be punctual or polite or to get their homework done on time. As parents we can help by being positive and encouraging. Our children need to arrive at school properly prepared. 14 www.spotlightlocal.co.uk • 0115 822 4995 • [email protected]