Back to School: From Summer to School Success
Back to School: From Summer to School Success
Starting a new school this upcoming academic year?
Take your child on a school walk through before orientation when things are not hectic and crowded.
Connect with a current family/student at your new school. Having at least one friend takes a lot of nerves away on the first day of school for both parents and kids. Set up a few play dates over the summer.
Early July is a great time to knock out school uniform shopping. Check your school's uniform requirements and make uniform shopping fun for the kids.
Talk to your kids about what to expect. Help them get excited about their new school.
Summer Schedule to School Schedule
Going from a summer schedule to a school schedule can be jarring for everyone. Talk with your kids about easing into a new routine. Make a poster board schedule or routine cards for your kids to use.
Ease into your new schedule the weeks leading up to school. New bedtimes/wake up times. Start with easing into bedtimes first. Bedtime is a great time for reading together.
Have your kids help you create a lunch making station.
Have your kids work on waking up on their own. Practice setting alarms and waking up to them on their own.
Practice ways to make your mornings easier when the school year hits. Setting out clothes the night before, having snacks ready to go, backpacks and shoes by the door.
Create a drop zone, a place where everything goes when you walk in the door.
Talk to your kids about what they think makes it easier and how they can contribute to a smooth transition.
Summer School Work
Most schools require/recommend summer reading and math work. Try to make that a daily priority over the summer so the last few days of summer are not full of panic over getting things done.
Pick books you can read together and talk about.
15 -20 minutes of school work a day will go a long way.
Having this done will eliminate so much stress the first few weeks of school.
The first few weeks of school are always a little overwhelming but remember things will slow down and you will get back into your groove in a few weeks.
Talk to your kids about what to expect this year. A new grade comes with new expectations and unknowns. Talking about these things can help take away stress.