How To Prepare For Students’ September Crash
Posted September 21, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s called the “September Crash,” and it has nothing to do with the stock market or the American dollar, and it happens every year right around the same time.
It’s called the “September Crash,” and it has nothing to do with the stock market or the American dollar, and it happens every year right around the same time.
At first young children are excited to be back at school, then reality crashes in on them and they crash, suddenly finding themselves void of the energy and excitement that made them want to go to school for the first couple of weeks.
At first young children are excited to be back at school, then reality crashes in on them and they crash, suddenly finding themselves void of the energy and excitement that made them want to go to school for the first couple of weeks.
“The first week is kind of fun but then it’s like, oh, this is school, we actually have to work,” admitted an 11-year-old named Amanda.
“The first week is kind of fun but then it’s like, oh, this is school, we actually have to work,” admitted an 11-year-old named Amanda.
Education experts suggest the phenomenon can manifest itself particularly among younger children, with symptoms including sadness, irritability and clinginess, something that parents should understand.
Education experts suggest the phenomenon can manifest itself particularly among younger children, with symptoms including sadness, irritability and clinginess, something that parents should understand.
“It’s hard for all of us to make that adjustment,” said Child and Parent Therapist Jennifer Kolari. “So we have to recognize it’s hard for our kids too.”
“It’s hard for all of us to make that adjustment,” said Child and Parent Therapist Jennifer Kolari. “So we have to recognize it’s hard for our kids too.”
Kolari suggests getting through those tough days can be as simple as listening to your children.
Kolari suggests getting through those tough days can be as simple as listening to your children.
“What we sometimes try to do as parents is be the cheering section,” she said. “You can do that, but it’s also nice to just start with where they are and how they’re feeling before you jump into convincing them it’s going to be okay.”
“What we sometimes try to do as parents is be the cheering section,” she said. “You can do that, but it’s also nice to just start with where they are and how they’re feeling before you jump into convincing them it’s going to be okay.”
Experts also say that the stresses of moving up a grade can contribute to students’ woes, so here are some helpful tips on how to maintain your child’s focus and study habits during this often tumultuous time and thus, keep them on top of their work and worries all at once.
Experts also say that the stresses of moving up a grade can contribute to students’ woes, so here are some helpful tips on how to maintain your child’s focus and study habits during this often tumultuous time and thus, keep them on top of their work and worries all at once.
Turn off the TV: If kids try to watch TV and study at the same time, guess which thing will get all their attention? That’s right. Unless their test is on characters from The O.C., it’s best to keep the two things separate. Have them study in a TV-less room, so the temptation won’t be there to flip it on.
Control the length of phone calls: Sure, your kids will probably want to chat after school about the day they had – even discuss assignments or homework. But monitor the length of those phone calls and keep them to a minimum to ensure there’s enough time in the evening for schoolwork.
Designate a specific area for homework: It should be clutter- and distraction-free. A desk in their room is a good option – so long as you know they’re going to get to work. Other possibilities include a kitchen or dining room table. The key here is that they’re not going to be distracted by what’s going on around them – whether that’s noise or activity.
Invest in a bulletin board or planner: If your child writes down when assignments are due, there’s less chance he or she will miss a deadline.
Keep extra supplies on hand: Find out what regular materials your child needs to properly complete his or her homework. Make sure you have plenty of it so you’re not running out last minute for paper (or pens, pencils, etc.). Also have a good dictionary available for your child to reference – especially if they’re doing reading assignments.
Establish a routine: It’s important your child knows that a certain time in the afternoon or evening is ‘homework time.’ Try to organize supper at about the same time every night – and have your child crack the books either beforehand, or afterward.
Allow breaks: Depending on their age, younger children may not be able to focus on their studies for as long as high school students. Consider breaking their homework time up by subject or by section.
Watch for frustration: Sometimes, no amount of quiet will help your kids understand a subject they don’t get. Consider speaking to their teacher about it, or perhaps a private tutor could be helpful.
Parents can help: That doesn’t mean do your child’s assignments for them – it means calling out words to help them prepare for a spelling test, or check to see why a math problem they’ve tried to solve isn’t giving them the right answer.
Courtesy Child Development Institute
Turn off the TV: If kids try to watch TV and study at the same time, guess which thing will get all their attention? That’s right. Unless their test is on characters from The O.C., it’s best to keep the two things separate. Have them study in a TV-less room, so the temptation won’t be there to flip it on.
Control the length of phone calls: Sure, your kids will probably want to chat after school about the day they had – even discuss assignments or homework. But monitor the length of those phone calls and keep them to a minimum to ensure there’s enough time in the evening for schoolwork.
Designate a specific area for homework: It should be clutter- and distraction-free. A desk in their room is a good option – so long as you know they’re going to get to work. Other possibilities include a kitchen or dining room table. The key here is that they’re not going to be distracted by what’s going on around them – whether that’s noise or activity.
Invest in a bulletin board or planner: If your child writes down when assignments are due, there’s less chance he or she will miss a deadline.
Keep extra supplies on hand: Find out what regular materials your child needs to properly complete his or her homework. Make sure you have plenty of it so you’re not running out last minute for paper (or pens, pencils, etc.). Also have a good dictionary available for your child to reference – especially if they’re doing reading assignments.
Establish a routine: It’s important your child knows that a certain time in the afternoon or evening is ‘homework time.’ Try to organize supper at about the same time every night – and have your child crack the books either beforehand, or afterward.
Allow breaks: Depending on their age, younger children may not be able to focus on their studies for as long as high school students. Consider breaking their homework time up by subject or by section.
Watch for frustration: Sometimes, no amount of quiet will help your kids understand a subject they don’t get. Consider speaking to their teacher about it, or perhaps a private tutor could be helpful.
Parents can help: That doesn’t mean do your child’s assignments for them – it means calling out words to help them prepare for a spelling test, or check to see why a math problem they’ve tried to solve isn’t giving them the right answer.
Courtesy Child Development Institute
