Back to School, Back to Reality, and Routine
As the end of summer approaches, it’s time to start thinking about kids going back to school. Summer is a time for fun, exploration, vacations, and ice cream! Summer break is a great time to let kids take time off from the day-to-day routines they must stick to during the school year. It’s important to give your kids a break from structure and allow them to enjoy themselves. Summer break allows a chance for children to decompress.
However, as summer break draws to a close, it’s important to make the transition back to school as smooth as possible. You want kids to be excited to go back to school and you want them to be well-prepared for their new school year. Below, we will provide some tips to prepare kids for the transition back to school, and back to their regular school year routines.
Back to Bedtime
One downside of summer break is your child’s sleeping schedule is likely different than what it is during the school year. It’s natural for kids to stay up a little later in the summer months, whether it’s because they are sleeping over at friend’s houses or staying up late to watch fireworks shows – your kids likely shift their bedtime later (and maybe wake up later), during the summer.
That’s why 2-3 weeks before school begins, you should transition your kid’s bedtimes. If you want your kids to be going to bed around 8 PM, slowly transition their bedtime back to 8 PM over the course of a few weeks. For example, if your child has been going to bed closer to 10 PM in the summer months, transition them to a bedtime of 9:30 PM for the first week, then 9 PM for the second week, then by the third week, transition to 8:30 PM. By the end of 3 weeks, your child will feel naturally tired closer to 8 PM.
Prepare the Supplies
Back-to-school shopping is something every kid looks forward to. Depending on the age of your child, you may need different supplies. The school they attend will likely send a list of things to get if you are lost.
Many items can be reused from year to year – such as backpacks or pencil cases if they are still in great condition.
When shopping for back-to-school, take the following steps:
Take stock of items your child already has. Throw out what needs to be replaced and add it to a shopping list. Then, go over new items your child might need for the upcoming school year that they don’t have.
Take your list to the store. It’s always good to bring your child along and let them pick out certain aspects of their supplies, like colors or patterns of notebooks, to make them more excited about back to school.
Bring the new supplies home and organize them. For younger kids, it may be important to label them.
Pack the supplies in their backpack ahead of time so that when the day comes, they can grab their backpack and go!
Talk About Back to School
In the weeks leading up to back to school, it’s important to talk to your child about it. Kids don’t have the same concept of time as adults do, so it’s important to remind them how many days they have left until they go back, as well as hear out any concerns or questions they may have about their upcoming school year. Talking about their upcoming school year will give you a chance to prepare the child for any shifts in routine and gives them a chance to get any worries they may have off their chest.
Conclusion
Back to school can be a big transition, but by taking the right steps, you can ensure your child feels ready and excited for their school year. By transitioning your child’s routines ahead of time, and preparing them with the right supplies, your kid will be excited for their upcoming year of school!
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Sources:
8 Practical Tips for Preparing for Back to School - Avery
17 Back to School Tips and Tricks to Help Kick Off a Successful School Year - Them Kids