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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.