Your child went to school. Even if not in the first grade, but you notice that he lacks independence: you collect his briefcase, and cook clothes, and participate in school affairs almost a hundred percent. Stop and think about what needs to be done to make your child independent in school life?
Believe me, I was motivated to write this article by my many years of observations with junior high school students. Before the lesson starts, you can hear the words: “Can I call my mother? She didn’t put in her briefcase a sports uniform, an English notebook, an album, a textbook, a diary…” Asking the question, “Who’s collecting your briefcase?” The answer is “Mom.” The standard answer to the question of why something from your homework is not done is: “Mom didn’t say! Mom didn’t do it!” Everyone in the family is to blame for some of the student’s mistakes, not himself. Separate theme – children’s things and school knapsacks. Often children leave without a briefcase, and sometimes they come without one. While the child is sitting in class with no mention of his problem. Suddenly they don’t ask why it’s not working. Hats, jackets, sports uniforms, folders for technology – all this rushes anywhere, anyway and hardly remembers who owns this good. It can be very difficult for the teacher to organize the order of the class at the first grade at the household level, when all the objects and things should be in their places. The understanding of purity, coziness (and the class should be cozy!) comes to children not immediately, but as they grow up and work hard on themselves. But what a pride my pupils feel when the guests who came to the class exclaim: “How cozy you are! How beautiful you are!”
As you understand, if a child is taught to order at home, then at school he will strive to do the same using his skills. But how do you teach a child to collect a briefcase on their own and not to forget anything, to put their things in place? There are a few simple rules for parents, following which the child will learn to be independent, and they will remove the burden of unnecessary care:
1. A personal example. If you are throwing things around the apartment yourself, there is no habit of defining all the household items in their places, then what is the child to ask? But there is a way out: start learning order with your child by showing a personal example.
2. Duties. A child should know his duties clearly, and he has them! Tell us about them, write them down, put the list up in a prominent place. (I often see the picture when a child has only pleasures in life and no responsibilities!)
3. Schedule and briefcase. Everybody knows that school life is on schedule. Information about the lessons is on the school and classroom stands, in the student diaries, in the child’s room in a prominent place. Instruct the child from the first days to fold a briefcase independently from the evening, referring to the schedule. For example: Russian language – textbook, notebook, dictionary; physical training – form for classes, etc.
Then a joint control test. The child may be reluctant to do this procedure at first, but be adamant. Don’t pack a briefcase instead, just watch and control. It’ll be hard for the first two weeks, then the child will get used to it and realize it’s his and only his responsibility.
4. Control. At first, you must control the child, but do nothing for him. He should know that he’ll have his homework done and his briefcase packed, his school uniform ready, his button loose or his zipper broken in time. First you have to monitor the baby daily, then you have to skip days. After a while you will be pleasantly surprised that there is no need for special control: everything is stacked and arranged.
5. Encouragement. Remember to cheer up and praise the child. Let your motto be: “It didn’t work – it will work!”
6. Forgetfulness. If a child forgets something, don’t bust your head to fix it. Let him worry a little, sigh on his distraction, let the teacher write a note in his diary. It’s a life experience for a child, too. And never compare your child with other children and do not call them names! These simple rules always help to organize your child in everyday school life. Good trip on the school road!
