Tricia Skoler, PhD’s Post

As the summer winds down and the school bell rings in the new academic year, it's normal for students to experience a mix of excitement and nerves. To help ease those back-to-school jitters, here are four tips to help them boost their confidence: 1. Practice Your New Schedule: A trial run can help everyone feel prepared. 2. Create a Comfortable Homework Station: A dedicated workspace can make all the difference. 3. Check Out Back-to-School Books: Stories can provide comfort and inspiration. 4. Make a List of Goals for the Year: Setting achievable goals can spark motivation. #Confidence #Students #Kids

Do you remember your first day of Year 7? When I was working in a school full-time as Head of English, the first day of Year 7 was always one of my favourite moments of the school year! There’s something magical about the freshness of it all—a new uniform, crisp stationery, a different building, and, most importantly, a chance to begin anew. Everything about that day brimmed with endless possibility. I was always in awe as I watched children enter the school, full of excitement and a touch of anxiety, knowing they would eventually grow into confident young individuals, each with their own unique thoughts, feelings, and ideas about the world. The newness of the day also takes me back to my own first day of Year 7 (many moons ago). I don’t remember much about my headteacher, but I’ll never forget the words he shared that day. As an 11-year-old embarking on my own fresh start, his words ignited something in me: "You’ve all come here as Year 7s, and when you leave in Year 11, you’ll be completely different people, hopefully a step closer to your dreams. From today, start thinking about what you want those dreams to be." So, friends, colleagues, former students, what advice were you given as a Year 7 student? What stood out about your first day? Or if you could offer guidance to a child starting their new school journey today, what would you say? #year7 #firstdayofschool #newbeginnings

🌞 Summer break is winding down, and it's almost time to head back to school! 📚✨ Transitioning from the relaxed summer vibe to the school routine can be challenging for both students and parents. Here are some tips to make the process smoother and set everyone up for a successful academic year: Re-establish Routines: Start adjusting bedtimes and wake-up times a week or two before school starts to ease into the school schedule. Create a Homework Space: Set up a quiet, organized area for homework and study. Having a dedicated space can help students focus and stay on top of assignments. Plan Ahead: Use a family calendar to track school events, extracurricular activities, and deadlines. This helps everyone stay informed and reduces last-minute stress. Review Goals: Talk with your child about their goals for the new school year. Setting academic and personal goals can boost motivation and provide a sense of direction. Stay Positive: Encourage a positive mindset about the new school year. Highlight the exciting aspects like seeing friends, learning new things, and participating in fun activities. Healthy Habits: Reinforce the importance of a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep to support your child's overall well-being and academic performance. Open Communication: Keep the lines of communication open with your child and their teachers. Addressing concerns early can prevent bigger issues down the road. Here's to a fantastic school year ahead! 🎉📖🏫 #BackToSchool #SchoolPrep #ParentingTips #Education #SchoolPsychology #PsychedServices #learndo

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬. Summer’s been a blast, right? Late nights, no alarm clocks, and endless play. But now, the school year is looming, and the thought of shifting back into routine might feel like trying to stop a speeding train. How do you ease that transition without creating a battleground at home? Don’t sweat it—there’s a way for both you and your child. 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭, 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞. Begin gradually adjusting your child’s sleep schedule now. Move bedtime and wake-up time earlier in small increments. 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭, 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐚𝐲. You don’t want to hit your child with a stack of textbooks right out of the gate. Ease them back into learning with fun, educational activities. Set up a fun learning space at home. It doesn’t have to be fancy. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧, 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲. Children thrive on predictability. Talk to your child about what to expect when school starts. Discuss their schedule, who their teacher might be, and what they’re excited about. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 Involve your child in getting ready for school. Set up a countdown calendar. Let them pick out school supplies, organize their backpack, and set up their study area. Of course, your attitude sets the tone. If you’re stressed about the transition, your child will pick up on it. So, stay positive and focus on the exciting opportunities the new school year brings. Celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of a new chapter with a fun family activity or special meal. Easing the transition from summer to school doesn’t have to be a struggle. With a little preparation and the right mindset, you can help your child shift gears smoothly and start the school year strong. Remember, transitions are tough, even for us adults. So, be patient and offer lots of encouragement. Ready to make this the best school year yet? Start today with these simple steps and watch your child transition with confidence and enthusiasm. #BackToSchool #SummerToSchool #ParentingTips #ChildSuccess #SmoothTransitions

Preparing for Academic Success Post-Holiday Break! The holiday season offers students a chance to recharge, but as educators, we know the transition back to school can be challenging. How can we best support our K-12 students in re-engaging academically after a well-deserved break? Here are a few tips to consider: 📚 Ease Back into Routines: Start with activities that help students reacclimate to school structures, like revisiting classroom norms and establishing clear goals for the remainder of the school year. 🤝 Build Connections: Use community-building activities to create a supportive environment. Reignite relationships through circle discussions or icebreakers to help students feel connected and safe. 🎯 Review and Reflect: Dedicate time to review key concepts from before the break. This helps students feel confident as they re-engage with the curriculum. 🚀 Set Clear Goals: Guide students in setting short-term academic and personal goals. This gives them a sense of direction and ownership of their learning. 🧠 Support Mental Wellness: Be mindful of how students are feeling. Encourage open dialogue and provide resources to address stress or anxiety that might arise during the transition. What are your go-to strategies for supporting students post-break? Share your ideas below! 👇 #K12Education #StudentSuccess #AcademicSupport

✨ The Weekend Reset for Academic Growth ✨ Weekends are a valuable opportunity to recharge and set the tone for the week ahead. For students, it can be the perfect moment to shift from struggling to thriving. Picture this: Your child heads into next week with renewed energy, motivated and excited to tackle their schoolwork with confidence and ease. And then, you hear them say, "Thank you, Mom and Dad, for helping me get good grades again." This weekend could mark the beginning of something truly wonderful—better grades, boosted confidence, and a child who feels proud of their achievements. Let’s make that a reality. #WeekendReset #BetterGrades #AcademicExcellence #SupportingStudents #StudentSuccess #ConfidentLearners

Is your child's school refusal a cry for help? The real problem might not be in the classroom, but in their mind. When a child refuses to go to school, claiming lessons are too confusing, it's easy to blame the curriculum or the teachers. But what if the root cause lies deeper? Often, this scenario is a symptom of a greater struggle: a lack of confidence and a fear of failure. Children who feel overwhelmed by schoolwork may develop a fixed mindset, believing they're simply "not smart enough" to understand. This belief becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, making every lesson seem insurmountable. The key to overcoming this challenge isn't found in simpler lessons or stricter rules. It's in reshaping how your child views learning and their own abilities. By fostering a growth mindset, you can transform "I can't do it" into "I can't do it yet." Start by celebrating effort over results. Encourage your child to see mistakes as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks. Help them break down complex tasks into manageable steps, building confidence with each small victory. Create a safe space at home where questions are welcomed and curiosity is rewarded. Remember, the goal isn't just to get them back in the classroom. It's to ignite a lifelong love of learning that will carry them far beyond their school years. Are you ready to unlock your child's potential and reignite their passion for learning? Reply with 'MINDSHIFT' to discover how to transform your child's approach to education and build lasting confidence in their abilities.

🎒 Back to School: A New Chapter Begins! 📚 As the school bell rings once again, it's time to embrace new opportunities, challenges, and growth. Whether it's your child’s first day or they’re returning for another year, this is a moment filled with excitement and possibility. Here’s how you can help your child start the school year strong: ✨ Set Goals Together: Discuss academic and personal goals for the year. Whether it’s improving math skills, making new friends, or discovering a new hobby, setting goals helps motivate and guide their journey. 🧠 Embrace a Growth Mindset: Encourage your child to view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Remind them that mistakes are a part of the learning process and that perseverance leads to success. 📅 Establish Routines: A consistent routine can make mornings smoother and help your child stay organized. From a set bedtime to a regular homework schedule, routines create a sense of stability and focus. 🌟 Support Emotional Well-being: Transitioning back to school can be overwhelming. Check in with your child regularly to ensure they feel supported, and encourage open communication about their feelings. Let’s make this school year the best one yet! Here’s to a year filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences. 🎓✨ #BackToSchool #NewBeginnings #LearningJourney #Magrid #ChildDevelopment #GrowthMindset #EducationForAll #ParentingTips

What’s one goal your teen is excited to achieve this school year? Share in the comments—we’d love to hear and celebrate their ambitions! Set Your Teen Up for Success This School Year! Whether they’re gearing up for their first day of middle school or planning their next steps toward college, our 6-12 School Year Success Workshop is here to help them thrive. This goal-setting session will equip your teen with the strategies they need to excel both academically and personally, ensuring a strong foundation for the year ahead. 🎯 Event Details: 📅 Date: Thursday, August 22, 2024 ⏰ Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM 📍 Location: Family First Community Center, 16200 116th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 Upcoming Workshops: Academic Readiness: Help your teen develop effective study skills and time management strategies for academic success. Emotional Resilience: Build a growth mindset and resilience to tackle the challenges of middle and high school with confidence. College and Career Planning: Guide your teen in making informed decisions about their future, whether it’s pursuing higher education or exploring career paths. Holistic Wellbeing: Promote healthy habits that support both physical and mental wellbeing. Why Attend? This workshop is all about empowering your teen to set meaningful goals for the school year and providing them with the tools to achieve them. We’ll also preview upcoming workshops and gather input from you and your teen on what other types of sessions would best support their overall wellbeing this year. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping our programs to meet the needs of today’s students. Call to Action: Don’t miss this opportunity to set your teen up for a successful school year! Register today by visiting the link in our bio or contacting us directly. Let’s work together to ensure they have the best possible start.

Start the school year off right by practicing basic routines that set your child up for success. Learn how to get started: https://bit.ly/45hAwmV