Back to school season can be a hectic time for kids and adults alike. There are so many things to do and supplies to gather that some essential things can get left by the wayside.
Focusing on a few key areas can help to give your kids what they need to succeed. Here are our top five tips for preparing your kids to head back to school!
Set a Routine Well in Advance
Most kids enjoy the sense of freedom that comes with summer. In some cases, this means that they’ve probably drifted pretty far from established bedtimes and other routines. They might be able to get away with it now, but with school on the way, they’ll have to adjust quickly.
The sudden shock of going straight from a flexible summer schedule to a regulated school schedule is a bit much for most kids. It’s best to gradually phase them back into their regular habits over the course of several weeks.
At least two weeks before school starts, get your kids back onto their school year bedtime. This will ensure that they’re able to get a good night’s sleep for their first day, instead of lying awake and then getting too little sleep.
Start Out Strong
Kids like to think of the first days (or even weeks) of school as a buffer period where they won’t have to do much. This isn’t a great way to look at it if they’re trying to succeed. Establish study and homework habits early on to make them stick.
Choose a specific time of day and place within the home for homework to be done. Even if the homework load is light as school starts up, sticking with the schedule will be more effective than letting them do their homework each day as they please.
Focus on Organization
One of the biggest reasons that children struggle with schoolwork is organization. It’s a skill that kids have to learn. Helping your child to set up a framework to manage their schoolwork will give them the tools they need to succeed.
Establish to-do lists for schoolwork. Set up a place where kids can write down supplies they need for projects. Create a family calendar and invite your kids to add important due dates to it. Even basic organizational skills like these can be a huge benefit when it comes to success at school.
Get Ready the Day Before
Making sure that everything is ready to go in the morning can greatly reduce the stress that both you and your child feel — after all, stress from rushing to get ready can carry throughout the day.
Get all of the necessary supplies and books ready in your child’s backpack the night before. Invite your kids to help prepare their lunches and snacks, too. By making these tasks fun and part of the routine, you can set your child up for success during the school year.
Choose a Healthy Breakfast
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” may be an old adage, but it’s incredibly clear that children really do perform better in school when they’ve had a good breakfast. Options like whole grains and proteins will give your child more energy to face the coming school day.
Before the school year starts, invite your child to come shopping with you for some breakfast staples to start the school year off on the right foot.
