Tips for Easy Back-to-School Transitions

The summer is just about over. No more going to bed late, sleeping in every morning, or playing outside until dark. Now the routine has to change. Beginning kindergarten, going back to primary school, or to a child care program usually means two things to a young child: 1) a stricter time schedule; and 2) adapting to a different caregiver, classroom, teacher, school, friends, or academic challenges. These new experiences can bring on stress or cause children to resist necessary adjustments. Even as adults, we sometimes feel uncomfortable or anxious when facing a new situation. Think how overwhelming it must be for young children who have far less experience in dealing with the unknown! Smooth transitions can be accomplished if the adults who care for children try to view the situation from the child's perspective. Here are some tips on what you can do to make going back to school a pleasurable experience.

Prepare in advance

Young children always feel more comfortable if they know what to expect. Before the new school year begins, family members can explain to children how their daily routines will change. Precisely describe what the morning routines will be in age-appropriate terms. Some children may enjoy creating a pictorial chart to include each step of the morning schedule.

Try getting up earlier a couple of days before the new school year begins and explain why you're doing it. This may prevent your child from being confused, groggy, cranky, or refusing to get out of bed on the first day of the new program.

Media Literacy: Making Sense Of New Technologies And Media by George Siemens

As I have promised you last week, George Siemens has made himself available for a short, informal video conversation in which we have discussed several interesting topics that some of you had also suggested. [I was not able to bring in all of your suggested questions, both because of the limited time available in this conversation (the video runs about 32 mins) and also because I have gotten some of your suggested queries way too late to use them in this videoconference.]

If you are interested in seeing me and George talk about the state of education and schooling today and the down-to-the-ground issues a parent of any teenager meets today you may find this enjoyable to watch. The other topics we cover include a simplified explanation of connectivism and its relevance to non academics, as well as education future direction and social media hype.

Here the video interview and, right after it, George's habitual quality selection of issues, topics and resources to keep an eye on while trying to make sense of it all.

Macy's national appeal?

The Wall Street Journal ran an interesting interview today with Peter Sachse, Macy's CMO and chairman of its online division. (Take a look by clicking here.)

After changing the name of well-established regional department stores under its umbrella-- such as Marshall Field's and Filene's-- to Macy's, and running a TV ad campaign bursting with stars including Martha Stewart and Donald Trump, Macy's is embarking on a local advertising push with ads in newspapers, on the radio and online in an attempt to reengage with consumers who were upset after seeing their tried-and-true local department stores undergo a corporate facelift.

Are celebrities and local advertising enough to change Macy's brand image? Will the fact that Macy's locations can now tailor "about 15%" of their offerings to regional preferences help? Let us know what you think.

Rusia claims pullout is complete

KURSK/GORI (Reuters) - Moscow said it had begun a military pullback from Georgia on Monday and President Dmitry Medvedev promised a "crushing response" to any future attack on Russian citizens.

Moscow says it has completed its troop pullout from Georgia, adding that it had complied with a French-brokered ceasefire deal. The Russian defence ministry also said in a statement on Friday that troops manning peacekeeping checkpoints - who will remain inside Georgia after the pullout - had begun carrying out their duties. Georgian officials deny Russia has pulled out of its territory. The US and France also say Russia is "not in compliance" with the Georgia...