Back-to-School Tips for Teachers, Parents, and Students

"Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each" (Plato). As teachers, parents, and students enter a new school year, it is of paramount importance that they have tips and guidelines to utilise in order to restart, become focused, and become proactive so that effective learning can take place. With the tips below, teachers, parents, and students are able to plan, prepare, and execute efficiently and effectively, as all are responsible for the process of learning.

Teachers:

Self-care: This is the most important factor for teachers to be successful and productive. A balanced self-care routine manages stress and enables good physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing that prepares you to deal with the challenges that you face on a daily basis. It also aids in a more solace-like response or reaction in any intense situation.

Use a checklist: To ensure all essentials are covered, teachers must have a to-do list or a checklist on a daily or weekly basis. Thus, effective time management criteria are developed to cover the process of feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. The ability to be more organised and prioritise is also effective, and the chance of missing an important task is minimized.

Build Positive Relationships: It is unquestionably a question of whether a teacher should or should not foster good student-teacher and parent-teacher relationships, as this is the partnership that contributes to students growth and development in a school. This type of relationship promotes educational advancement and enables a great support system and effective communication between all parties.

Create a Conducive Classroom Environment: Creating a conducive learning environment will make both the teacher and student comfortable. This will increase students' attention and focus and promote higher-level critical thinking skills. Teachers are not only to physically prepare a conducive classroom but also to include the emotional well-being aspect by incorporating social and emotional learning (SEL) skills to teach students about life skills. This will then positively affect students academic success, build strong support for their social and emotional development, and enable a reduction in negative behaviors.

Parents:

Develop an effective time management plan. Research has shown that reinforcement leads to success. As such, parents ought to be sure to allot enough time to assist or review their child’s assignments, or even tasks completed at school, and engage in meaningful discussion about their school day.

Establish good relationships. At the beginning of the school year, parents must find the time to meet their child’s teacher(s) in person. This will foster a good and collaborative relationship with the child’s teacher and create an ethos of support within the school over time. With this relationship building, in most cases, the child will act in accordance with the principles of the school and become encouraged to learn. Consequently, a positive report is reflected when the parent makes contact.

Create an at-home schedule. Parents should always assist their child or children in managing their time effectively so they can feel more confident and secure. One way of doing this is by creating a home schedule, timetable, or daily routine to give them a predictable upcoming day so they can feel a sense of control over their environment. With this control, they are also able to manage their time effectively and meet their targets for play time, screen time, homework, chores, and bedtime.

Have a reward system. As the Jamaican proverb states "Encouragement sweetens labour Rewards are extremely important in every aspect of life, as positive reinforcement promotes continuous and positive behaviors. We all want to be recognised and feel encouraged. Therefore, children look forward to being rewarded at all times. Having a reward system at home will encourage children to act and work in accordance with the school's expectations.

Students:

Get a good night’s rest. Students should get the recommended 8 hours of sleep to ensure that they are well rested and can remain active and focused throughout the day. Getting the right amount of sleep promotes better concentration and minimises the chance of developing any risk factors for disease.

Eating patterns for a healthy breakfast Breakfast is an excellent way to refuel the body. It provides the body with the essential nourishment needed to increase energy levels and improve mood and concentration. As a result, it is vitally important that students have breakfast every day.

Time Management, Preparation, and Responsibility - Students must be aware of the amount of time they have and develop an effective time management plan to successfully complete tasks without feeling overwhelmed. The purpose of the time management plan is to prepare you each day and make you more responsible for your own learning.

Develop goals. It was the famous Jamaican hero Marcus Garvey who said "Without vision, the people perish". Accordingly, students must be able to develop their own long- and short-term goals for the school year. The purpose of this is to help them stay on task and become intrinsically motivated through every challenge that tries to beset them. Each goal should be a constant reminder each day of what you want to accomplish within that particular school year, so you can eliminate what is unimportant to you.

As we embark on a new school year, the wisdom of Plato reminds us that effective learning begins with understanding and nurturing the unique strengths and interests of each student. Teachers, parents, and students play crucial roles in this educational journey, and the tips provided offer valuable guidance for success. Teachers can enhance their effectiveness through self-care, organisation, positive relationships, and creating conducive classrooms. Parents can support their children by managing their time effectively, building strong connections with teachers, establishing home routines, and implementing a rewarding system. Students, on the other hand, can optimise their learning experience by prioritising rest, maintaining a healthy diet, managing time, and setting meaningful goals. By following these tips, we can collectively create a conducive and enriching learning environment that empowers every student to thrive.