KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican saying “free paper bun” signals the familiar rush of the back-to-school season, with attention turning to booklists, uniforms, school fees and transportation. However, while children prepare to return to the classroom, parents should also prepare for the role they will play in the year ahead.

The National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC), Jamaica’s lead government agency for parenting support, is reminding parents that, “Back-to-school readiness extends beyond having the right books and supplies; it also means creating the structure, communication and support children need to learn, adjust and thrive throughout the school year.”

As the new school year approaches, the NPSC is encouraging parents to use the period as an opportunity to reset too, by considering not only whether their children are ready for school, but whether they are ready to support.

— Set parenting goals, not only academic goals: Parents often begin the year with expectations for their children: improve their grades, read more, complete homework on time or stay out of trouble. Parents should also set goals for themselves.

That may mean having more meaningful conversations about school, attending parent-teacher meetings, responding more calmly when mistakes happen or becoming more consistent with boundaries.

A useful question for every parent is: What will I do differently this year to help my child succeed? This moves the conversation from simply expecting better performance to creating an environment that supports it.

— Learn the child you are sending back to school: Children can change significantly between school years. A child who was confident last year may now be struggling socially. A previously motivated student may feel overwhelmed by greater academic demands. A teenager may be navigating peer pressure, changing friendships or concerns about fitting in.

Before school begins, go beyond asking, “Are you ready?” Ask: What are you looking forward to? What are you worried about? What would make this year better? Is there anything you need from me? The answers may tell parents more about how to prepare their child than anything found on a booklist.

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— Know when to step in and when to step back: Parental engagement does not mean removing every difficulty a child encounters. When children forget assignments, experience conflict or struggle with a subject, parents may instinctively want to fix the problem. Sometimes intervention is necessary. At other times, a better response is: “What do you think you can do about this?”

Children need age-appropriate opportunities to solve problems, communicate, make decisions and experience reasonable consequences. School success should prepare them not only to pass examinations, but to manage responsibility and recover from setbacks.

— Build the school relationship before you need it: Do not wait for poor grades or behavioural concerns to become familiar with your child’s school. Know the teacher or form teacher, understand how the school communicates, read notices and attend meetings where possible.

A strong home-school relationship should not begin with a complaint. As Jamaica prepares for another school year, the National Parenting Support Commission encourages parents to look beyond the first day.

Buy the books, prepare the uniforms, organise transportation but also decide what kind of parent you intend to be during the school year ahead. A new school year gives children another opportunity to grow. It gives parents one too.

The NPSC emphasised that, “Parents and caregivers do not have to navigate parenting challenges alone. Seeking support is not a sign of failure; it is a proactive step towards finding the right tools and guidance to better respond to your child’s needs.”

Parents and caregivers experiencing challenges with their child’s behaviour, communication, school adjustment or other parenting concerns are encouraged to reach out to the commission for guidance and support. Contact the NPSC at 876-967-7977, email nationalparentingsupport@moey.gov.jm or visit www.npsc.gov.jm.