7 Things to Prepare Your Kids for School

Shut Down Summertime Leniencies. As school approaches or starts, set up a family meeting (whether you have a significant other or not) to discuss the rules that will change at home: bedtimes, shutting TVs off, removing entertainment electronics from bedrooms, having to turn in social media devices and “friend sleep over rules.” Allow your child to voice his or her concerns over these changes, adopt the policies, and implement them on a specified date. It’s also a good idea to document the changes and post them where all can see them; sometimes children become forgetful of what they agreed to.

School Supply Shopping. Sit down with your children and allow them to help you determine what supplies they are going to need for the coming school year. You are the parent and have final say over what is on the list, but use that authority with kindness and respect. Take your children shopping and let them be in charge as they carry the hand baskets and retrieve all the items on the list. Give them a set amount of money to spend to accommodate all that’s on the list and allow them to pay for the items at the checkout.

The Work Space at Home. Collaborate with your children as to where homework will be done. Create a list with her and then go back through to review it and eliminate any locations that you’re not OK with. Remember, collaborating with your children is a way of helping them feel respected, but you’re still the boss. Set up the space that was decided on and help your children organize the supplies that were purchased at the store.

The Homework Schedule. Each child is different when it comes to doing homework, so this next exercise will require your greatest level of patience. Help each of your children determine when they feel that they are best able to work on homework. Some children can do it as soon as they get home and others need a break before starting it. Coach each child into establishing their own schedule, make it clear and defined, and then document it. Your job will be to help reinforce what is decided.

Control of Entertainment and Distractions. Announce a rule that any and all entertainment electronics and hand-held social media devices are to remain off or better yet, be turned in to the parents during the established homework times. This new rule should be in effect on school days, Monday thru Thursday and even on days when there is no homework. I’ve heard too many stories from parents who did not implement this rule and had their children come home after school reporting they had no homework, only to suddenly and mysteriously remember a homework assignment later that night or at bedtime.

The Bedtime Schedule. I’ll tell you now that it is NOT your responsibility to get your children to fall asleep. That must happen naturally and your children are more in charge of that than you are. Your job is to create an environment and an atmosphere that is conducive to your children getting sleepy and eventually falling asleep. Your direct role is to define when bedtime will occur, enforcing it, and removing all distractions from their bedrooms, such as video games, televisions, cell phones, and computer.

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Why Free Play, Gentle Guidance, and Community Matter More Than Ever 

In a world of packed schedules, rising anxieties, and digital distractions, the way we parent has never been more complex, or more important. Children don’t need perfect childhoods, they need real ones. Ones filled with play, protection and participation to grow.

“Today’s parenting styles often come from a place of deep love,” says Ursula Assis, Country Director for Dibber International Preschools in South Africa. “But when we hover too closely or clear every obstacle before our children reach it, we can unintentionally rob them of the small struggles that help them thrive.”

Modern terms like ‘helicopter parenting’ and ‘lawnmower parenting’ describe well-intentioned behaviours. ‘hovering’ to protect and help or smoothing every path to prevent discomfort. While these approaches are rooted in care, they often overlook what child development experts call the ‘just-right challenge’. Dibber’s approach, built on Nordic pedagogical principles, embraces this balanced philosophy which gives children the support they need while encouraging and maintaining independence.

“Children build confidence by trying, failing, and trying again. That’s where resilience begins”, explains Assis. “When we pair warmth with boundaries, and love with opportunity, we see incredible growth -not just academically, but socially and emotionally.”

Free play remains one of the most powerful developmental tools in early childhood. Whether it’s climbing, balancing, or imaginative playing, these experiences help children build executive function, manage emotions, and understand social dynamics. With adult support close by – but not overbearing – these activities become safe and enriching opportunities to learn.

In South Africa, Dibber believes parents have a unique advantage: community. Grandparents, neighbours, and extended families as they often play a vital role in raising children. “That village of support is our strength,” Assis adds. “We encourage families to use it -plan outdoor playdates, invite cousins to join, share learning spaces. There’s no app that can replace the value of human connection.”

At Dibber’s campuses across Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, the focus is on nurturing not just cognitive skills, but the whole child. Teachers act as gentle guides, helping children navigate early life’s hurdles with empathy, patience, and clear structure. The result? Children who feel seen, heard, and confident enough to explore the world.

“Resilience doesn’t come from a perfectly smooth path. It comes from knowing that when life gets bumpy, someone is there to support you while you take the wheel,” says Assis. “At Dibber, we’re not raising perfectionists—we’re helping raise capable, compassionate human beings.”

For parents wondering whether they’re doing it ‘right’, Dibber offers this reassurance: there is no single perfect parenting style. What matters most is balance. Guide, protect, listen, and most importantly let children play, explore, and grow into who they want to be.

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How do I make my child love reading?

As a grade six English teacher at Maragon Ruimsig, I am frequently asked this question at Parents’ Evenings. The child concerned inevitably struggles with the comprehension section of my assessments and while the diagnosis is simple, the “medication” is very difficult to administer…think squirming cat here and the thankless task of attempting to force a pill down the hapless feline’s throat! An almost impossible task.

After about 28 years of teaching English, I am certainly qualified to state that, without a doubt, my top achievers were bookworms. Their vocabulary was excellent; they were able to master the skills of skimming and scanning for information in no time at all. The non-reader would comparatively read line by line looking for answers in the most laborious fashion, often needlessly re-reading sections in an attempt to find that ever-elusive answer. Naturally, the non-reader would start to panic and run out of time and in many cases skip to the easier Language section, often losing some 15-20% of their marks because of their inability to skim and scan.

Before beginning with the suggestions, I will outline below, there may be a valid reason why your child dislikes reading. He or she may be struggling with a number of optical difficulties best diagnosed by an optometrist. The, as yet undiagnosed, difficulty could cause words to swim in front of your child’s eyes, letters could well be dancing in the most bewildering fashion making reading a fate worse than death itself. If you, as the parent wore glasses at an early age then genetically your child, too, will be more inclined to wear spectacles at an early age as well. In short: a visit to the optometrist is essential before proceeding.

Being an avid reader from an early age, I often find myself returning to my childhood looking for the stimuli that set me on the path towards loving books. My father was always curled up on the couch with a Louis L’amour in hand. The bookshelf was filled with westerns, non-fiction and various other genres. I was always a naturally curious child and absorbed all the “Children of the World” books, which were full of fascinating facts from countries all over the world. Very soon I graduated to Westerns and then onto adult novels at the age of 12. In hindsight, some of these books were not suitable for children of my age but my parents were none the wiser.

From this account, you can draw your own conclusions. If you want, your children to read you should be modelling that behaviour. Provide a healthy cross section of genres to appeal to your child’s unique reading palate. Generally, I find boys prefer non-fiction to fiction; girls on the other hand gravitate to fiction and tend to, as a rule, read more than boys tend to. As an added incentive, and to gauge your child’s interests, take your child to a bookstore and ask them to choose what it is that interests them. 

Another possible way forward, counter-intuitively, is to choose an excellent audio book and listen to it in the car, on the way to your holiday destination, or even to school, every morning. This method will pique your child’s interest as they become involved in the plot and the drama of the reading. The next step may well be your child asking to read the books produced by that particular author.

Use technology to your advantage allow your child to purchase digital readers and order books online. Naturally, you will have to put provisos in place as to how much they may spend.

Which brings me to another matter…my own children…confession time: they do not read! Horror of horrors and here I am dispensing advice to all those parents out there! My children have been surrounded by books and both my wife and I read a great deal. My eldest was never interested in reading except for a very short “Lord of the Rings” spell. Today at 23 years of age, he mostly immerses himself in surfing the net and following up on his investments and shares, all of which require skimming and scanning skills. My middle child, now in Matric, was a bookworm of note and is now a top student, he no longer reads. My youngest has read perhaps two or three books in his entire 14 years and yet manages to achieve top marks for his comprehensions.

My point is that there are no fixed rules, the old adage applies, “You can take a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.” Do not despair if you try out all the tips I have mentioned without success. Our children are reading all the time, be it advertisements or cereal boxes, they read a copious amount of material without picking up a book. More important than the mechanical technique of reading is comprehension or understanding what it is you are reading. The thinking skills behind the reading are vital. You might want to try commenting on a headline that may appear on a street-pole. Try the WWWWHW technique i.e. who, what, where, when, how and why. In other words, “Who do you think the headline is speaking about?” This technique teaches your child to read with comprehension. Scroll through the articles on news 24 and utilize the same technique. 

In conclusion: you may not produce a bookworm, but you are giving your child the skills by which they can dissect a piece of writing and is that not what reading is really all about?

By Ian McCallum, teacher of Maragon Ruimsig Preparatory 

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Discover the Magic of Twinkl Literary Classics for Little Learners

Step into a world of wonder and imagination with the Twinkl Literary Classics for Little Learners range — a beautifully curated collection of timeless tales thoughtfully adapted to ignite a love of reading in young children. This range offers a gentle introduction to some of literature’s most cherished stories, designed to nurture curiosity, empathy, and a lifelong passion for books.

Why Introduce Classic Literature to Little Learners?

In an age where digital distractions are everywhere, sharing classic stories with children opens a door to rich storytelling traditions, diverse cultures, and timeless life lessons. These beloved tales connect readers to historical contexts, moral dilemmas, and universal themes, helping children explore complex emotions and understand the world through different perspectives.

Reading classic literature at a young age can also enhance language development and vocabulary, introducing children to beautiful, expressive language they may not encounter elsewhere. The vivid imagery and memorable characters spark imagination and creativity, encouraging children to dream big and think beyond their immediate surroundings.

Moreover, these stories help build resilience and moral reasoning as children witness characters navigating challenges, making difficult decisions, and growing through adversity. This not only fosters empathy but also empowers young readers to see themselves as capable of kindness, bravery, and perseverance in their own lives. 

Thoughtfully Adapted for Young Readers

The Twinkl Literary Classics for Little Learners range carefully reimagines classic tales to suit young audiences. We’ve simplified intricate subplots, adjusted complex themes, and ensured the language remains accessible and engaging for early readers — all while preserving the heart and essence of each original story. 

Sensitive and Age-Appropriate Storytelling

We understand that some classic tales touch on challenging themes like loss, conflict, or hardship. Rest assured, any sensitive content has been handled with care, softened to align with the emotional maturity of younger readers. When pivotal to the plot, these themes are presented gently, providing an opportunity for meaningful conversations without overwhelming little minds.

Shared Reading and Meaningful Conversations

Reading these stories together can be a special bonding experience. As you turn the pages with your child, you can explore big ideas, answer curious questions, and encourage thoughtful discussions. This shared experience helps foster critical thinking and emotional growth, allowing children to reflect on the story’s characters, choices, and underlying messages.

Sparking a Lifelong Love of Literature

Above all, the Twinkl Literary Classics for Little Learners range is designed to inspire joy and wonder. We hope these adaptations become treasured favourites in your home, laying the foundation for a lifetime of literary exploration. After all, stories have the power to captivate, comfort, and empower — and every child deserves the chance to discover the magic of books.

The range of Twinkl Literary Classics for Little Learners can be found here: https://www.twinkl.co.za/l/yxsux

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