Back to School

Challenges facing children, parents and teachers
Another summer has passed by and children, parents and teachers are getting ready for the start of a new school year. School supplies are displayed in many stores close to the entrance and the shelves are stacked with colorful backpacks, insulated lunch kits, fancy water bottles, innovative homework helpers, kid’s activity kits and school supplies. These items are being promoted for the younger children with images of favorite cartoon characters like Dora and Princess from TV programs such as the Tree House. For the older kids more sophisticated supplies are displayed such as laptop and desk top computers, PDA’s and calculators. Shopping is in full swing two weeks before school starts and stores are full with children and their parents as they try to find the best bargains in an effort to stay within budget.
Parents have an opportunity of making back to school shopping a memorable event for their children. It is such a wonderful thing to see the smiling faces of children walking in the store with their Mum or Dad (or both) projecting an image that “I am important, this is my day”. Parents, use these days wisely and with patience, take it from a proud grandfather that children grow up very fast; enjoy each day to the fullest while it lasts.
Children starting Junior Kindergarten may be apprehensive about going to school, there will be a few tears shed, but those who are going back to school will likely be excited to see their friends again. My youngest granddaughter proudly declared that “I am now in grade one; I am a big girl now”. Students will need to rise to many challenges such as adjusting to the teachers and school mates, getting used to doing homework, and behaving with respect to those around them. Parents will need to make sure that their children receive healthy nutrition, prepare peanut-free lunches, provide support for homework and ensure early bed time on school days. One of the most important challenges for parents is to be good role models.
Teachers will be challenged to deliver educational material in a way that keeps the attention of students connected, as well as they need to establish effective ground rules for behaviour right at the start. Their challenge is huge; they are entrusted not just with education, but with shaping the lives of young people. Their influence can make the difference between success and failure as children are growing up. I still remember the support that I received from my mother at the start of each school year, shopping for school supplies and buying clothes. I felt important and special. The support and encouragement of my High School Math teacher helped me psychologically through the university years.
A particularly challenging aspect of guiding children through the school years is dealing with the impacts of Internet, electronic games and television. We grandparents never had these “toys” when we were going to school, and even our children (the parents of the children going to school today) had limited exposure to such hi tech attention takers. The challenge is to keep these programs/games in good balance with school and homework; they can be educational but they can also cause distraction from receiving a well balanced education. Television channels can be restricted, purchases of games can be supervised, but the use of Internet is more challenging to regulate. Parents need to check regularly how their children use the internet and guide them to stay away from communicating with “bad” people and from downloading undesirable movies. It is important to be diligent; our future is in the hands of the children of today.