Advice for starting the school year off strong

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Summer is coming to an end, and there’s no better time to get a jump start on the new school year.

There are a number of positive steps parents can take now to prepare children for the first day of classes – from setting those early-morning alarm clocks to preparing for the onslaught of homework and take-home paperwork – not to mention all the afterschool activities, sports and classmates’ events.

“Your role as a good parent is not confined to buying new sneakers, clothes and school supplies,” Kim Bellini, owner and director of The Woodlands LearningRx, said. “It's important to take the time now to help your son or daughter get organized.”

She explained that children who are disorganized or who are poor time managers often suffer from anxiety, which also manifests itself in poor grades and low self-esteem.

“Planning ahead leads to smoother-running school days and happier, more confident students,” she added.

Bellini offered a number of ways parents can help their children get off to a great start:


Slide back into the school year schedule. Instead of making a drastic switch, start slowly by reintroducing a regular schedule. Going to sleep earlier the last two weeks of summer and having meals at regular times will make it easier for children to adjust when they’re back in the classroom.

Create a calendar system. Bellini said a successful school year is all about time management, and being able to visualize and keep track of dates, schedules and to-do lists is critical. A centralized site for all family calendars can be a major asset.

Make an inbox/outbox. It can be a challenge to keep up with all those notices that parents need to sign. A great solution is to create an inbox in the home – a drawer or cubby or shelf designated specifically for school notices.



“Ask your child to stop by the inbox after school, deposit papers that need to be reviewed or signed, and empty backpacks nearby,” Bellini said. “While children get in the habit of depositing papers in the box and picking up signed papers the next morning, parents also need to get in the habit of checking the inbox daily.”



Establish a designated homework area. Create a welcoming homework area at the house, with school supplies and a desk for children. It’s easier for a child to pick up the habit of knocking out those after-school assignments if there’s a time and place to do it.

Pack homework the night before. Follow a homework schedule – and make sure that once assignments are complete, they go directly into your child’s backpack, Bellini said. “Don’t wait until the busy morning times to check if your child has finished and packed homework. This will also prevent last-minute panic attacks or showing up at school without homework.”

Communicate with teachers. Be sure to attend meet-the-teacher night, Bellini advises. “Contact your child’s teachers at the start of the school year,” she said. “It helps to get acquainted with them early on – and lets them know that you want to be a partner in helping your child get the best education possible.”

Bellini explained that organizing the brain is the first step to being better organized for life. The Woodlands LearningRx uses assessment tests to determine weak cognitive skills and, if brain-training exercises are needed, LearningRx trainers develop individualized plans to help students become mentally stronger and more prepared to face any challenges.

Bellini invites area residents to stop by The Woodlands LearningRx at 10857 Kuykendahl Road, Suite 240 and learn how the center works to transform the ability to learn at a core, cognitive level. For more information, call (832) 482-3082 or visit learningrx.com/the-woodlands or woodlandsenespanol.com/directorios/perfil/learningrx-the-woodlands.