Simple school attendance tips for grandparents
02/05/2007
Some 10 million grandparents in the UK are responsible for making sure their grandchildren attend school. But, sadly, around 6.68% of kids miss school regularly, which adversely impacts on how they perform academically, the friendships they form and the - often bad - habits they get in to.
As part of the government's "Every Lesson Counts" campaign, Dr Raj Persaud, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley NHS Hospitals Trust has put together a simple six-point plans specifically for grandparents to make mornings run smoothly and kids more engaged at school.
Dr Raj says: “School attendance success isn’t based on making dramatic changes, simple steps are the most productive. These can take the form of talking to your grandchild about why they don’t want to go to school or helping them to be organised so that mornings are not stressful.
“Changing habits of poor attendance is simple when the whole family plays a part, and grandparents are often an essential influence on their grandchildren’s upbringing."
Claiming that routine is the key to making simple changes for success, Dr Raj gives his simple six-point plan:
- Going to school unprepared can be a major worry for children. If grandparents take children to school, they can help by checking schoolbags the night before, packing P.E bags and keeping an eye on homework progress
- Tired children aren't punctual and find it hard to learn so, if your grandson or daughter often stays with you, ensure they have a sensible bedtime.
- Help them to get into a regular routine and set the alarm at the same time every morning.
- Make time for breakfast so there are no shop stops where children can get side-tracked on the way to school.
- Children can become unsettled if they have to go into school late and without their friends. Make sure your grandchild gets to school in time to meet friends in the yard to prevent this
- Have a memory board in your home for your grandchildren’s special trips or activities. The board will help them remember to tell you and their mum and dad, and help you remember to prepare them for it
For more details about the campaign and sources of further information and help visit the link below.