Use the last few weeks of summer to start thinking about how you can help your kids continue to mature and grow.
The new school year will soon be upon us, and for those of us in the education field that have summers off, it signals a mind shift from a (hopefully!) relaxing, low-stress vacation to the need to get ready for another year of challenges, as well as rewards.
If you are looking for some ideas to use with your kids during the first few days back, check out Group and Classroom Icebreakers. These activities are designed to promote social interaction, cooperation, and group problem-solving.
Once things get underway, certain problems are bound to crop up. Be sure to check the Youth Development archives to see if the answers lie there. In particular, most of us who work with kids will face the issue of helping angry kids this year. You should find something helpful in the recent article, Anger Management Skills for Teens. Additionally, Developing Empathy in Kids contains ideas for nurturing this critical component of kid’s development.
It can be difficult to transition back to school after a summer off, for both kids and adults, as well. Especially for those kids who may be starting a new school, anxieties may be at an all time high. If you know a student preparing to make the transition into middle school, check out the series that begins with Preparing for Middle School. This series contains tips for easing the transition, quelling fears, and helping students look forward to the change with eagerness and a positive attitude.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!!
