As a parent of a child with executive functioning challenges, you understand the unique hurdles they face as they prepare to return to school. The transition from the unstructured days of summer to the rigorous routine of the academic year can be particularly daunting for these children. While schools may not always provide the tailored support your child needs, you have the power to make a significant difference using available tools and strategies. By focusing on key areas like sleep, academic, and movement routines, you can help your child navigate the school year with greater ease and confidence.
Understanding the Importance of Routines
Establishing routines is crucial for children with executive functioning challenges. The end of summer is an ideal time to begin easing your child into the school year’s structure. Routines help reduce the shock of going from no structure to the full structure of school days. Start by gradually adjusting sleep schedules. If your child has been sleeping until noon, begin shifting their bedtime and wake-up time earlier, aiming to reduce the sleep variance to one or two hours by the start of school. This gradual approach can make the transition smoother and less stressful for your child.
Establish routines before school starts: prioritize sleep, academics, and movement to ease the transition and boost executive function.
Academic Routines: Setting the Stage for Success
In addition to sleep, academic routines are vital. While it’s unrealistic to expect your child to engage in six to eight hours of academic work over the summer, incorporating a daily academic routine, such as reading or another educational activity, can be beneficial. Ideally, align this routine with the time homework will be done during the school year. For instance, if homework is planned from 7 to 8 PM, start practicing this routine at the same time during the summer. This practice helps your child’s brain prepare for the upcoming school demands, making the transition less jarring.
Exercise is performing better than Adderall now in some clinical studies for attention, learning, memory retention.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
The Power of Movement
Incorporating a movement routine into your child’s day can have profound effects on their academic performance and overall well-being. Research indicates that just 15 minutes of exercise per day can enhance attention, memory retention, and reduce anxiety. Whether it’s playing a sport, going for a walk, or simply playing outside, encouraging movement can help your child perform better academically. Resist the temptation to cut out extracurricular activities, as they can be crucial for maintaining your child’s mental and physical health.
Key takeaways
- Establish Core Routines Before School Starts: Begin developing essential routines before the end of summer to ease the transition back to school. Focus on three key areas: sleep, academics, and movement. Gradually adjust bedtime to reduce sleep variance, implement a short daily academic routine (like reading) at the same time homework will be done during the school year, and incorporate a movement routine of at least 15 minutes per day to enhance attention, memory, and overall well-being.
- Encourage Self-Assessment and Metacognition: Help your child develop self-assessment skills by asking them reflective questions about their academic performance and emotional states. For instance, after a test or a meltdown, inquire about their study habits, environment, and what helped them calm down. Over time, these questions will reveal patterns that can guide them in understanding their unique needs and how to address them effectively.
- Role-Play Advocacy Skills: If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, practice advocacy skills through role-playing. Simulate scenarios where they need to request accommodations from a teacher, helping them build confidence and clarity in communicating their needs. This practice not only prepares them for the school year but also equips them with a valuable life skill for future self-advocacy.
Building Independence and Self-Advocacy
As your child progresses through middle and high school, fostering independence and self-advocacy becomes increasingly important. Encourage them to understand their unique needs and how to communicate these effectively. Role-playing scenarios where your child practices asking for accommodations or extra time on tests can build their confidence and communication skills. This proactive approach not only helps them improve focus and navigate school more successfully but also equips them with essential life skills.
The first couple weeks could be really overwhelming…but if they are, it’s asking those same questions…just that reinforcement to them even when we know the answer as adults is really helpful.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Overcoming the Meltdown Challenge
One specific challenge you might encounter is your child’s potential meltdowns during the first few weeks of school. These reactions are normal as they adjust to the new structure and sensory overload of the school environment. As a parent, your role is to help them overcome this challenge by reinforcing positive coping strategies. Encourage them to reflect on what helps them calm down, whether it’s taking a walk or spending time in a quiet space. By guiding them to improve focus and recognize their cognitive processing skills, you can empower them to manage their emotions and thrive in school.
Empower your child’s learning journey with the Brain Bloom System. Start today at https://learningsuccess.ai/brain-bloom/ to help them thrive in school.
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