For parents, students: Back-to-school tips from teachers

The new school year has begun! This is both an exciting and challenging time for both parents and students.

"One of the best ways to make school meaningful and wonderful for children is home-school partnership or collaboration. Establishing and maintaining communication lines open with teachers are important," Dr. Angie Sievert-Fernandez, counseling and developmental psychologist at St. Luke's Medical Center-Global in Bonifacio Global City, told GMA News Online.

Here are some more great tips shared by teachers with GMA News Online:

1. Talk.

Not everyone is a superhero who can read minds. It helps to talk even about simple things.

Edicio dela Torre, chairperson of Education for Life Foundation, told GMA News Online on Monday that studies show that children tend to perform well in school if their parents show an interest in their learning.

Dela Torre said it's not about parents becoming part of the Parent-Teachers Association or helping their children with their homework.

"It's as simple as this: Within 30 minutes pag-uwi sa bahay, kumustahin mo ang anak mo," he said, adding that this provides a great morale boost to students.

Fernandez also encourages open communication between parents and their children. They can spend 10 to 15 minutes a day talking about what was fun in school, what made the child happy, sad, mad or excited, she said.

"It makes a difference when children are able to talk about their day," she added.

However, Fernandez said asking children questions such as “How was school today?” “What did you do in school?” will "generally elicit a monosyllabic answer."

"Try questions like, 'What was the best part about school today/the not so fun part?' 'Is there anything you wished happened differently?' 'What was something helpful someone did for you today?'”

2. Respect.

Ana Maquinay, a licensed preschool teacher who holds a masteral degree in education, said respect is a virtue that should be practiced by both parents and students.

At home, parents and children must show respect for one another.

In school, students need to learn to respect their classmates, teachers, and the school staff such as the janitors and security guards.

3. Observe.

Maquinay cited how the first few days in school can be daunting, especially for young children. "The first day should be filled with excitement and happy memories, not panic and defensiveness," she said.

"I never advise kids to talk on the first day, because first day is filled with awkwardness and kids blurt out the weirdest stuff when nervous. My number 1 advise is always, always observe," she added.

4. Plan.

Going to school every day is a "major family operation." It calls for good planning. List down all the tasks that have to be done before and after school so that you won't forget anything.

Trixie Madamba, a grade school teacher and holder of a masteral degree in education, said, "setting a down time on a school night also helps establish a routine for the next 10 months."

Certain tasks should be considered as "done" at a specific time each day, say 8 p.m.

"Kids should take uniforms out. Parents should make sure homework is in the bag or accomplished, and no more gadgets 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime," Madamba said.

Lack of sleep greatly affects children's performance in school. She suggested having a fixed bedtime such as 9 or 10 p.m. to help children get the right amount of sleep.

Meanwhile, Ma. Estrella Tapales, a special education teacher working with children with autism in Brunei, said planning should be coupled with praying.

"Make it a habit to say a prayer of offering and thanksgiving and asking for guidance and protection," Tapales said.

5. In your house, set aside a ‘school station.’

Mornings where you have to look for your schoolbag, lunch kit, shoes, uniform, and so on, are the worst. In your house, assign a space or table or cabinet where all school stuff should go. Everything should be ready the night before going to school.

Fernandez said it would also be helpful to identify a place in the house where studying is done.

She said setting a regular study time is also good. Should it be before dinner, after dinner, or after play?

6. List important numbers.

We often don't bother to write down phone numbers anymore. We simply rely on our mobile phone's directory. But what if we lose our phone?

If you're a parent, what would you do if you couldn't remember your child's phone number? If you're a student and you're not in school when something untoward happens, how will you ask for help in calling your parents if you don't know their number?

7. ‘What to do when...’

Anything can happen in school or even on the way to school.

Parents and students should have a "what to do when" list.

What will you do when you forgot to bring your homework? What will you do when you suddenly become sick and feverish? What will you do when classes are cancelled? And so on...

Fernandez said, "It would also be helpful to have some calming strategies for both parents and children when things get heated."

8. The school is not a playground.

Schooling should be fun. Maquinay said, "School should be fun. Kids nowadays, they are made to study at home 'til late, that's why they see freedom in schoolgrounds, a place where they can be themselves."

However, students need to understand that the school is not just for "play."

Parents should help students understand the main purpose of going to school: to study. This is very important. When children do not understand why they have to go to school, they fail to reap the full benefits of going to school. They miss the chance to learn things that could help them later on in life.

9. BFFs.

Parents should encourage (not force) their children to develop friendships in school. However, they should remind their children that good "BFFs" are those who would not put you in danger or trouble.

10. Have fun and relax!

Fernandez said, "At the end of the day, let children PLAY and RELAX! Allow time for rest and relaxation—something that the child wants to do.. play with toys, with peers, with games. Just as adults need to de-stress, so do children. If work is stressful to parents, that is what schoolwork can be, as well for children." 

—KG, GMA News