August 19, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • Page 11 �������������� Transitioning back to school without overloading your child (NAPSI) We can all remember the children and consider their input in your excitement, anxiety, and enhanced level of decision. Your family’s schedule should activity that take place as a new school year reflect these goals. Revisit these priorities ����������������������������� begins. This time of year brings increased with your children regularly, engage them expectations, new routines, new friends, a in discussions, celebrate successes, and ������������ review challenges, and lessons learned. new teacher, and possibly a new school. • Wait before you commit or overexSimultaneously, families review the �������������������� type and number of activities in which tend your child. Look for extracurricular they want to enroll their children. While activities that can be added after school research studies recognize the benefits of schedules are established. Waiting 30 days ������������������ extracurricular activities, juggling these to add a new activity after the school year changes can be overwhelming to even the begins can give you and your child the time needed to settle into a routine. most well-adjusted child. • Streamline and organize activities. “It is important to consider your child’s interests and ability to adjust when plan- It’s not the additional one to two hours a ning activities,” according to Janeal week of soccer or dance that causes stress Roberts, vice president of Education for or frustration, but the added time and rush Champions, a nationwide provider of to get from place to place. Look for cenbefore- and after-school programs. “Being tralized after-school programs that proaware of your child’s needs and preparing vide multiple activities on-site to reduce for this transition can be the key to a suc- running from place to place. • Establish family routines and tradicessful and fun school year.” Roberts offers the following tips to help tions early. Make a calendar that clearly lists mealtimes, bedtime, homework, parents schedule children for success: • Look at each child as an individual. chores, activities, and other imporAll children are different and have differ- tant family commitments your child is ent talents and varying abilities to manage expected to attend. Review and reinforce their time and handle change. Be sure to the schedule with your children to help take this into consideration, especially if establish routines. • Plan for downtime. There is a lot your family has more than one child. • Establish expectations and priorities to be gained from unstructured activiwith your child. Be sure to involve your ties. Reserve downtime so your child can accept an unexpected invitation, be spontaneous, and appreciate the times when there is “nothing to do.” Working together with your child to find the schedule that works for your family will ensure a comfortable balance and teach children to understand their own tolerance. Discussing these challenges will help as your children transition into middle school and their teenage years. ����������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������� Infants, Toddler, Preschool and Kindergarten, Grades 1-6, Ages 6 weeks to 12 years A Truly Unique Montessori School • Unique Phonics Reading Program • Computers • Music • Foreign Language • 3 or 5 Half Days • Full Days 7am - 6pm • Fastrackids • Character Education • Parenting Seminars • Dance Academy CORE of the APPLE Summer Camp ������ �������� ���� ������������������ ������������������ �������������� ���������������������������� �������������������������� ������������������������ ��������������������� ������������� ������������������� ������������ ��������������� • Daily Swimmming Lessons, Heated Pool designed for safety of young children • Sports/Organized Games • Arts & Crafts • Field Trips • Music/Dance • In House Events Call, visit and • Nature & Science compare the advantages gained for • Computers • Cooking your child... ������� ������� ����������� �������������� �������������������������������� ����������������������������� ������������ ������������ ������������������������������ ������������������������������ ������������������������������� ������������������������������ ������������������������������ www.applemontessorischools.com 192 Ramapo Valley Rd. OAKLAND 201-337-0183 Please call for our other locations 973-696-9750 Nevins Rd. WAYNE 75 East Ramapo Valley Rd. MAHWAH 201-512-1141 ������������������� ������������������������ �������������������� ���������� 201.847.8243