The bell that will mark the beginning of the new school year will ring on September 3. For many schoolchildren, another school year, but for top students and their parents, a new chapter that brings with it many challenges.
"A child's departure to school is a turning point in his life and a great joy for parents and the entire family. The first day of departure fills many parents with pride and satisfaction," pedagogue Vjera Bjelica told "Vijesti".
He states that, in a way, it is a confirmation of the growth and maturation of their children and "stepping out of the family nest".
"For most parents, it is a touching moment, because they become aware that healthy parenting means reducing their dependence on their children and their children's dependence on them," she believes.
Different experiences
He states that in addition to the parents, going to school is a very important moment for the child as well.
"Children can have a different experience of school, which is a consequence of what they heard about school from their parents, older brother or sister, friends, etc.," he says, stressing that it is therefore necessary for parents to pay special attention to emotional preparation and developing a positive attitude towards school.
In the first days, parental involvement should be complete, but not so that he is more active than the child
He emphasizes that a child should never be threatened with school "you will see when you go to school".
"One must not go to the other extreme and portray school as something that is of secondary importance, that should be taken lightly and not taken too seriously," says Bjelica.
He states that the child should be told that school entails a lot of obligations and demands, but which he can definitely overcome with work, as well as that in addition to obligations and learning at school, he will experience many beautiful and significant moments.
"Parents' interest and showing faith that the child will be able to overcome all the demands and situations that await him at school is the best support a parent can give him."
A rested and contented child
Regarding how parents, when it comes to learning, can help their child, Bjelica says that study time should be determined in accordance with the child's temperament and character.
"Learning is effective only when the child is rested and satisfied."
He states that some children like to take a nap or play well after school, and only then study, while others want to fulfill their obligations immediately.
"There are no rules, it's a purely individual matter. When a parent assesses which time is the most ideal for studying, it should be strictly adhered to," emphasizes Bjelica.
He says that he should not be allowed to be manipulated.
"Besides consistency, parental persistence is also needed in this matter. In this way, work habits are developed in the child, which are very important for successful learning".
She states that it is very important for the parent to help the child in organizing the time needed for school duties.
"A smaller number of children are mature enough and independent, so their need for parental involvement is minimal. However, most children still need more active parental support to help them find an adequate way to master their schoolwork".
In the first days, as he says, parental involvement should be complete, but not so that he is more active than the child.
"The parent should not be allowed to write, solve and find answers instead of the student," he states. He notes that if such a style of help is established, it will slow down the child's maturation and acceptance of responsibility in relation to school, and the problem with learning will drag on for a very long time.
The child should be completely ready
When asked how starting school affects a child who is not yet ready for it, he answers that the child's general readiness and maturity for school is reflected through three important dimensions.
"Physical, intellectual and socioemotional maturity. If one of these dimensions is not sufficiently developed, the child may have certain problems at school, which may manifest through resistance to school and learning".
Leave the choice of teacher to a professional
Regarding how good it is for parents to influence the choice of a teacher, he says that the choice of a teacher should be left to a professional person who evaluates the child before starting school.
"It is very important that the parent present all the facts he considers important in the conversation so that the professional can create a more complete picture of the child," says Bjelica.
Do not force the schoolboy
When asked if and to what extent those parents who teach their children letters and numbers before starting school make a mistake, he answers that forcing a child to learn to read, write and count before starting school, in order to achieve some advantage, is usually counterproductive and can cause repulsion according to learning.
"Compulsion to learn something for school can cause fear of what the child expects in school and can have the opposite effect. Instead, the child should develop interest in different books and picture books, read to him and talk to him, so that he will develop interest and by going to school very quickly and willingly master reading and writing, which is the task of the school and overtake the child who has lost interest due to forcing", explains Bjelica.
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