BE BACK TO SCHOOL READY!
Going to school is a great new chapter in your child’s life, but the stress of those three dreaded words “back to school” starts to build as those lazy summer days come to an end. Here are some tips on how to make the transition easier for you and your kids as they return to school!
- Brain Power: Kids will often forget some of what they learned the previous year and slump back into a few bad habits. Try to encourage your child to participate in activities that will exercise those brains, such as reading or planning a family game night a couple times a week.
- Get into a routine: The end of summer also means the end of going to bed late and sleeping in. Try to get your child back into their routine sleep schedule for school a couple weeks in advance so they go to school alert and refreshed.
- Shopping: Shopping for school items can be stressful; stores are packed and lines are long. Try to get all your school shopping done a few weeks in advance to relieve the stress. You can also try getting your child involved in the shopping process so that they can start looking forward to school. Let them pick their own backpack and lunch bag. You can even buy some decorative things like stickers so that they can personalize their belongings.
- Bus Route: If your child is taking the bus make sure to ride the route with them a few times before school starts so that they will feel confident about the route
- Lunches: Packing lunches can cause daily stress. Try to plan healthy options that your kids will love a week in advance so that you are not scrambling last minute trying to put something together. Try to be conscious of any food allergies other students in your child’s class may have so that you can plan their meals accordingly.
- Make the first day special: Plan a special breakfast that your child can look forward to so that they will want to get out of bed. After school, make time to talk with your child about their day.
Ease The Pressure
- Get Them Excited: Most importantly, help your child get excited for school. Remind them that they will get to see their friends everyday and can participate in school activities like sports or clubs.
- Anxiety: Some children will experience anxiety about school and the social situations it presents. Help your child by making sure they know they can always talk with you. Open communication and support are key factors in circumventing some of those difficult situations. Also try not to add a lot of extra pressure on your child; school can be taxing enough.
- Be Proactive: You can take an active approach and be involved in your child’s school through PTA meetings or volunteering. Also, make sure that you know your child’s teacher and meet with them every so often to see how your child is progressing.
- First-Timers: If your child is younger, try to plan a play date before school begins with another child in their class so that there will be a friendly face on the first day.
- The First Week: Try to make the first week special. If possible, take a few days off work so that you can take them to school and pick them up, that way if they are having a hard day they know mommy or daddy will be waiting for them right after school. You can also walk into the classroom and wait until your child hangs up their bag or coat until you leave. It’s okay if they are a bit wary of being alone for the first little bit; once they know their classmates they will be less nervous.
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Easing the pressure is a very helpful thing you need to do to you kids during their first day of school. Nice article.