Back-to-School Advice for Parents

The Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families is offering advice for parents as children go back to school. Most Arlington County Public School students start classes on Tuesday.

It all starts with a healthy breakfast, said Mary Ann Moran, Assets Liaison and founding member of APCYF.

“Although you can’t make kids eat or sleep, you can create an environment and set boundaries that encourage getting enough sleep and healthy eating,” said Moran.

Remember:

• A healthy breakfast is vital. If you have a picky eater, get creative and offer choices. Any healthy food is good for breakfast – even pizza or PB&J.
• On average, elementary school children need 10-11 hours of sleep. Teens need 8-9 hours. Setting a regular bed time helps.
• No one can sleep with a cell phone under their pillow. Consider collecting all electronic devices at bedtime. Kids can retrieve them in the morning.
• Try to plan time to avoid “scrambling-to-get-ready” syndrome – it’s a bad way to start anyone’s day.

According to a survey of 1,651 students in Arlington, only 24 percent of 8th to 10th graders report having parents involved in school.

One way to participate is to have real conversations about school. “Do you have homework?’’ is not a conversation starter. Instead, parents might say:

• Who did you eat lunch with?
• Why did you choose that particular book for your report?
• Tell me about your new teacher. (Instead of “Is your teacher nice?”)
• Tell me about the kids in your class.
• When I went into __ grade, I remember feeling _______.
• If your child doesn’t want to talk when they get home from school or you first come home from work, try again later, said Moran.

For more information, visit http://arlingtonpartnershipforyouth.org/youthsurveyresults.htm. Learn more about assets at http://www.search-institute.org.