Setting Students Up For Success

Thursday, 3 September 2015 07:59

A good night's sleep, a full tummy, and a little reassurance goes a long way to helping kids get the most out of school.

OXFORD COUNTY - The backpacks are full, the pencils are sharpened, but some kids might not be physically ready to go back to school.

After two and a half months off, kids might not be ready for that alarm to go off on Tuesday morning. If you haven't already started, it's time to reset that sleep schedule. There's a lot of things that can hamper a good night's sleep - Public Health Nurse with Oxford County Public Health Barb Ledgley suggests limiting the amount of screen time before bed for kids and teens. That includes cell phones, tablets, computers, and TV. Ledgley says there are things you can do throughout the day to improve your sleep at night as well. "You are going to have a better sleep rest cycle if you are making sure you are physically active. So walking, biking and being involved in some kind of sports. You need to get off that cycle of staying up all night playing video games and sleeping until noon. It is something you really need to ease back into these last few days before the hammer comes down on Tuesday."

Once you finally get the kids up and moving, there's still more you can do to set them up for success before you send them out the door. Barb Ledgley stresses how breakfast really does help kids concentrate in class. "Morning time is pretty rushed but if kids can get a good healthy breakfast in with healthy carbohydrates, some fruits, or even vegetables in the morning. A source of protein is really helpful in a breakfast choice that will get you through the morning and keep you nice and alert, so that in combination with sleep is a really important thing. Doing some back to school shopping at grocery stores might be a nice idea too." One idea she gave Heart FM was whole wheat toast and eggs. Also many of the nut butters can provide a good deal of energy - just make sure it's eaten at home.

Although their physical health is very important, Ledgley encourages checking up on their mental health as well. "It is a very exciting time for kids, it is a time for change so they can be a little bit anxious about that change. A little reassurance from parents just asking about their day, asking about their friends establishing kind of a pattern of really checking in on what they are doing and showing some interest in their day is a really nice thing. I always like to put a note in the lunch pail on the first day to let them know you are thinking about them."