Screentime and Back-To-School Routines

September can be an exciting time for some, and a rather difficult time for others. Getting back into school routines can be tricky, therefore in this blog we will discuss ways you can support your child in getting back into the swing of school life.

Prepare the Night Before School

There is nothing worse than running late in the morning, trying to find the second trainer for P.E or a fresh pair of socks. Secondary school students who are capable of packing their own bags, should be in charge of doing this the night before. This not only can support independence and a sense of accountability, but it also will help with the mad rush in the morning.

Limit Screentime

We have mentioned limiting screentime before, and we will likely mention it again. Is it really that important? Yes. Many schools are now enforcing no-phone policies on school grounds, which is a great safeguard for young people from the dangers of social media. This, however, can only go so far, as many students grab their mobile phones as soon as they have left the school grounds. And potentially, these students are on their phones well into the night. This not only will mean that their sleep has been deeply impacted, but also that they have missed out on doing other, much more enriching, activities during their time at home. It may not be easy, but parents should strive to limit their children’s screentime, and perhaps their own screentime to lead by example.

Attendance

The first few weeks of school after the summer holidays can be tricky. It might be very tempting for students to take a day off here and there. This, however, is a slippery slope and can create bad habits. Aim to be in school as often as possible. There is evidence that students with the highest attendance, have the best outcomes when they sit their exams.

Connect with Nature

As the days grow colder, shorter and darker, it will be even more important for young people to go outside into the sunshine whenever they can. A brisk walk in a park, or a quick trip to the seaside will do both parents and students extremely good.

Overall, remember to allow your children time to adjust and take it easy, while still attending school as much as possible and giving it their best. Put the phones away, ban Wi-Fi in the evenings and spend more time outdoors.

Key Words: mobile phone use, social media, Nature, preparation

Written by Aleksandra Dul, our GCSE & A level English Tutor