September 2023 Newsletter

Ready! Set! September with Confidence!

Essential Back-to-School TIPS!

• Catch Up on Sleep – Sleep plays a critical role in learning, comprehension, memory, emotional regulation, and the overall healthy development of the brain. During sleep, the brain resets itself, consolidates and processes information children learn throughout the day, and integrates experiences for future use.
• Reestablish Routines – One routine at a time, adjusting to the morning, after-school, and bedtime routines will prevent tiredness and exhaustion. A few weeks before the start of the school year, support your child’s adjustment.
• Organize Learning Space – Spending time in a comfortable and well-prepared learning space will help children feel in control and relaxed. Fun and practical school supplies, such as a cool binder the child can decorate, can motivate children and help them think positively about returning to school.
• Take Your Child on An Adventure to School – Children will feel more at ease and enthusiastic about starting school once they can anticipate and better imagine what to expect. Visiting the school, talking about the teachers, and discussing the overall weekly schedule, including homework routines, helps children plan and think positively about this transition.
• Help Your Child Connect with Peers – Reach out to children they already know, such as cousins or family members who might have attended the same school. Encourage kids to participate in after-school programs, clubs, sports teams, and other extracurricular activities at their schools. Encourage your child to be themselves! 

• Build a relationship with your child's teachers – Parental involvement in your child’s education improves student attendance, social skills, and behavior. It also helps children adapt better to school.
• Reward effort rather than outcome – Kids can manage frustration more effectively if they are working towards a reward and are praised for persevering through challenges, putting in a consistent effort, and trying things they are unsure they can do well. Notice good behavior and efforts!
• Talk with your children about health-related behaviors – The five health behaviors are: engaging in regular physical activity; maintaining a normal body weight; abstaining from alcohol; never smoking; and getting sufficient sleep (7-8 hours).
• Be aware of your child’s mental state – Parents can help their children's mental health by developing a close relationship with them, establishing rules and boundaries, promoting independence, encouraging social connections, teaching healthy routines, and modeling how working through conflictual situations can be rewarding for both child and parent.
• Get Outside Help – At BriteMinds, we sensitively respond to families’ emerging academic needs throughout the year, and recommend that parents focus on preventing small challenges from becoming large problems. Children may feel embarrassed and hide their vulnerabilities, especially if they expect a lot from themselves and want their parents to be proud of them. Demystify tutoring by scheduling a free “MEET & GREET” at BriteMinds.

Listen to Worries and Problem Solve Together

Children may ask a lot of questions. This behavior is a perfect opportunity to enhance independent thinking and awareness of practical life skills by listening and discussing questions and solving problems together. Empty reassurances such as, “It will be fine!” can make some children feel even more anxious due to lack of processing. Here are some topics that desire attention:

Dressing for School

Teenagers may feel stressed about finding their style of clothing because what we wear says a lot more about us than what we see at first sight. School fashion and fashion anxiety are good topics to cover with your teens! Whether your teens are considering comfort, confidence, catchy outfits, or conservative, blend-in attire, discussions about how your teens want to be seen by others, what image they identify with, and how what they wear is part of their developing identity, are opportunities for growth.

Healthy Daily Nutrition

Most children are aware of what constitutes a nutritious, healthy diet; however, the daily practice of eating well is often compromised. Here are some tips to establish a healthy relationship with food in our fast-paced lifestyle:

• Take your children grocery shopping with you, even if it’s boring for them; ask for their help in the store finding items or ingredients for a meal
• Lead by example and take time to eat together
• Involve children in preparing meals; sign them up for cooking classes
• Turn off the TV during mealtimes and listen to each other’s stories
• Share meals with family and friends
• Share surprising facts about fruits/vegetables – Did you know that apples, peaches, and raspberries are all members of the rose family? Have you heard that pumpkins and avocados are fruits, not vegetables?

Performance Anxiety

This intense and overwhelming feeling of fear or worry is related to the anticipated shame, embarrassment, or guilt a child may feel at the thought of failing or not being able to complete a task perfectly. Being under this much stress, a child may have physical symptoms such as headaches, diarrhea, chills, dizziness, sweating, an upset stomach, loss of appetite, tremors, and other somatic experiences.

To prevent performance anxiety from intruding into a child’s life, allow plenty of time and space to prepare for an event or a task. Perhaps rehearse in a comfortable setting, practice with a friend or coach, and share a presentation with a trustworthy person. Preparation may also include getting enough sleep, eating healthy, relaxing, and seeking emotional support from friends and family members.

Negotiating Boundaries

Being creative negotiators with their children can yield great benefits, whether the topic at hand revolves around screen time limits, the acquisition of an e-bike, or setting bedtime boundaries. Children will learn to:

• Think while holding in mind various points of view
• Listen while feeling anxious and stressed
• Communicate what they want in a reasonable manner
• Compromise instead of staying inflexible
• Make good decisions
• Become a little more patient in their fast-paced world

Mental Health and Academic Success!

Positive self-esteem is crucial to children’s academic achievement, participation, engagement in activities, social relationships, and ultimately, their sense of well-being. When children feel stressed and overwhelmed, they may become disorganized and inattentive. A well-balanced schedule, mindful self-care, and constructive friendships help students stay motivated and optimistic. Positive self-esteem helps kids cope with mistakes. Even if they initially fail, it encourages children to try again. Children who have higher self-esteem perform better in their academic, personal, and social lives. Here are some ways to help boost your child’s self-esteem:

1.  Being a Good Role Model – For most parents, setting a good example involves effort, planning, and self-control. Children watch their parents all the time and absorb fine and nuanced tones, gestures, and response patterns they encounter through their ‘parent-observations.’ The parents’ actions, beliefs, and attitudes become integrated into their children’s way of being. For example, demonstrating conflict resolution skills instead of merely reacting to conflicts can provide your child with valuable experiential learning.
2. Banning Harsh Criticism – Every child receives their initial messages about how the world perceives them from their parents or other key caregivers. Children are more likely to approach the world with a sense of belonging, self-respect, and importance when these messages are delivered with compassion, warmth, and focus on the child's potential rather than their shortcomings. At BriteMinds, children experience themselves appreciated, listened to, and fully engaged. We help children discover their potential for leadership and practice their skills to achieve mastery!
3. Focusing on Strengths – Paying attention to children’s strengths and interests gives great opportunities for validating them, which is necessary for their growth, identity formation, and strengthening of parent-child relationships. When children feel recognized, their self-perception and confidence are boosted. When parents acknowledge and observe their children's strengths, it motivates them to further develop and utilize those abilities.
4. Helping Children Learn to Do Things – Children can learn new things at any age. Learning to hold a cup or take their first steps can make you feel accomplished and happy even during babyhood. As your child grows, things like learning to dress, read, or ride a bike are chances for self-esteem to grow. Then, even if they make mistakes, let them do what they can. Make sure that your child has the opportunity to learn, try new things, and feel proud. Don't make new challenges too simple or difficult.

We look forward to seeing you at BriteMinds!

Discover more at BriteMinds!

Call for Back-to-School Discounted Packages