New School Year, New Student?
I know it's cliche, but as the new school year draws ever nearer, odds are you’re:
Reflecting on this past year
Setting intentions for next year
1- All too often, we continue to do things the way they've been done simply because that's the way we’ve always done them. I have found the best way to hop off that hamster wheel and be deliberate about my actions is to first develop some awareness around said actions. I like to meditate on the year that has passed and reflect on how it’s affected me.
In my experience, it’s not until I deliberately contemplate my habits, routines, direction, decisions, etc., that I am able to observe trends and see the bigger picture.
I often think of Plato's Allegory of the Cave. The only way to get out of the cave is to first realize that one is in a cave. If we long to see the sun, we must question everything.
This reflection process is so important for all individuals, but it’s especially important for parents and professionals who work with twice-exceptional (2e) students. It provides an incredible opportunity to:
✅ model meaningful reflection in their own lives
✅ facilitate this reflection process for their kiddos
Parents and professionals often work to appear composed in front of their kiddos. While they have the best of intentions, this can cause children to feel like they have to live up to these unrealistic standards.
Instead, research shows us that exposing our own problems and solutions can be helpful is modeling helpful strategies for our students to adopt. It should be mentioned, however, what may work for us might not work for our kiddos. We’re all beautiful and unique beings with our own systems. It’s our job as professionals and parents to give our students a bunch of systems to try on and let them decide what works best.
This year, reflect with your child and help her/him develop this priceless process. It’s a win-win!
2- After reflecting on the past year, I like to forge a path toward growth and development. While in this meditative state, I often like to create my intentions for the upcoming year. It’s important to do this shortly after reflecting on the prior year.
To ensure that I'm not setting myself up for failure—ie. making generic goals— I prefer to use SMART Goals to be as Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and TImely as possible.
This is a great family project to tackle in the run-up to the start of school. It can be done in a group setting where there is open dialogue and sharing or, personally in a diary. It is up to the discretion of each family to do what they feel is best. What matters most is that it happens.
As your student stands at the base of the mountain that is this academic year, encourage him/her/them to look back and then look forward. As they reflect, embolden them to have the courage to declare their intentions into the wind!
If one of your/your child’s intentions this year is to explore their interest areas and develop their strengths, check out YSA’s Fall Courses. These are truly life-changing courses that are helping students to:
✅feel GREAT about themselves
✅connect to like-minded peers
✅develop the skills they require to be successful in this world
✅learn content that actually excites them
If this sounds like it’s too good to be true, have a look for yourself. Seeing is believing! Check out: YSA’s Fall Courses
Experience what this mom is seeing week in and week out!
Check out these Transformational Courses and Start Your Year RIGHT!
