Catap-Lacson: It’s back to school season!

TODAY, June 3, 2019, is the first day of classes in all public elementary and secondary schools in the country. In Central Luzon, an estimated 2.6 million learners will be back in school this first Monday of June.

After the two-month hiatus from school, students and parents as well are expected to go back to the routine schedule of waking up early and making sure that everything’s ready before each school day.

Here are some back-to-school tips for kids and grown-ups:

1. Go to bed early.

Yes, the kids need to sleep on time, but parents need to do the same to be able to cope with the early grind the next day. The National Sleep Foundation, using a new range, provides the recommended sleep ranges for all six children and teenage groups.

Toddlers (1-2 years): Sleep range widened by one hour to 11-14 hours (previously it was 12-14)

Preschoolers (3-5): Sleep range widened by one hour to 10-13 hours (previously it was 11-13)

School age children (6-13): Sleep range widened by one hour to 9-11 hours (previously it was 10-11)

Teenagers (14-17): Sleep range widened by one hour to 8-10 hours (previously it was 8.5-9.5)

Younger adults (18-25): Sleep range is 7-9 hours (new age category)

Adults (26-64): Sleep range did not change and remains 7-9 hours

Older adults (65+): Sleep range is 7-8 hours (new age category)

2. Prepare all the things needed a day before.

Mothers are indeed the busiest people at home. Either juggling work and home duties or just being a simple housewife, things to do never to run out even as the day ends. Wise mommies will at least check the schoolbags if the homework’s done and if the school supplies are complete, and also prepare the school uniform. Other moms even out of their way to prepare the lunch and snacks good for one week to avoid the hassle of always thinking what to put in the lunch box.

3. Try to involve your kids in preparing for school.

It is always ideal to teach them how to be responsible bit by bit, and at least assign them a chore. This is not only one way of making sure that they grow up to be independent and reliable persons, but this is surely one way to unload the burden. You may want to teach them how to clean their shoes or prepare their clothes before sleeping.

4. Motivate them about school and its importance.

School is the second home for our kids, and we want them to develop their fullest potentials while they are growing up. Making them go to school for high grades is not always the best thing tondo, but to remind them everyday that they need to be kind, generous, and friendly to everyone they meet in school. They need to feel confident and feel empowered that they can excel in any field they are interested in. We do not need to push them to things that they do not really like just to please ourselves and other people.