How to Help Your Kids Enjoy School*

For the first few years that my daughter was at Primary School, she loved it! She was in the group of “kids enjoy school” rather than detest it. She’s very creative and there was a lot of crafting, learning through song, and of course, playing with her friends. However, during her first SAT year, things changed and she didn’t like going to school as much any more. Things had become more structured and a lot less “fun” there was more sat at a table writing in work books, less colours and only one Art session a week. I got the parents who moaned about their kid not wanting to go to school, not focusing in class. That was us. I guess in a way I could feel slightly smug that she enjoyed our time together so much and all the fun things we do on a daily basis that the bland school day paled in comparison.

But kids have to go to school. They have to have an education and I was starting to worry that my daughter would never enjoy school again. So I started looking at how other schools around the world approached learning. As my daughter attends a “state” school here in England that have so many targets to meet sometimes that becomes the main message in learning (it’s a sad truth). Schools such as Laude Fontenebro in Spain focus on teaching that meets the needs of each individual child and I often wonder if that’s what she needed. However, as I can’t change the way schools work in the UK, I decided I’d find ways I can help her enjoy school from home, and this is what i’ve come up with;

Help Them Customise Their Experience

In the UK school uniforms are the norm, and for someone as creatively minded as my daughter, it’s not fun wearing the same thing day in and day out. So, to help make that more enjoyable I let her doing the choosing when it comes to back to school shopping. From basics such as skirts or pinafores, sweaters or cardigans, to the more fun things like a school bag, lunch box and stationary. This year she wanted everything Harry Potter and I really hope I’ve delivered! I also let her pick out some new hair accessories in school colours.. and best of all, I let her pick her coat and shoes!

Pick Some Out of School Activities

My daughter loves attending school clubs and after school activities. It actually gives her something to look forward to and work towards through the school day. The days she has an after school club are always her favourite. She does everything the school offers which includes art, choir and sport. I love those days as she always goes into school with a smile! Doing what they love really helps kids enjoy school!

Bond with their Teachers

Having good relationship with your child’s teacher is so important as a good teacher can make or break your child’s school experience. Reply to letters and calls, show up to parent/teacher meetings. Get them a gift to show how much you appreciate the hard work they put in such as something from teachersgram. Maybe a cool teachers bag, or perhaps one of the shirts for teachers? New stationary always goes down a treat too.

Support Their Choices

As your child moves through school they’ll start getting choices in regards to the way they learn. Support your kids choices. School isn’t for everyone. Not everyone likes English and Maths, but everyone likes something be it Art, Sport or even Languages. Help them pursue the subjects they enjoy.

In the same vein, turn up to their assemblies, their school shows, take them to the disco or summer fair. Show them you’re invested in their education too and they’ll thank you for it. I hope these tips help your kids enjoy school as it’s so important!