Getting Your Child Ready To Go Back To School

Whether your child is just beginning kindergarten or starting a new grade as a returning student, there are lots to be done to prepare them for the year ahead. 

As summer winds down, it’s natural for kids to experience nervousness or anxiety, but as a parent, you can minimize fear of the unknown by getting them ready. Take the pressure and anxiety off back-to-school season with these helpful ideas.

Visit the School Together

Taking a trip to school is especially important if your child is returning to in-person learning after periods of remote learning. Attend back-to-school night or open house with your child. This will allow your child to see the classroom, tour other areas of the school, and meet the teacher and other students.

Get Back into the Swing of Things

Help ease your child back into the school schedule. About a week before school starts, start by preparing end-of-the-day and morning routines. Re-establish bedtimes and set an alarm in the morning, which can get earlier every day until you reach the school day wake-up time. Also, going through what school mornings will look like can help kids (and parents) get ready for the year ahead.

Get Your Child Organized

Keeping supplies and information organized is a common challenge for kids of any age. Preparing your child with the resources they need to stay organized will set them up for success in the new school year and ensure they are comfortable with the workload. 

Some ways to get your child organized and ready include:

• Working together to set up a quiet workspace and experimenting with what works best for your child. This could mean a separate room, designating a specific portion of a shared space or a set of noise-canceling headphones that makes it easier to focus.
• Designating spots to store writing utensils, paper, books, handouts and any other materials they need.
• Taking some time to explore any websites or programs the school is using together so that your child feels comfortable navigating the tech on their own.

Go School Shopping

Designating items as back to school, like an outfit or backpack, makes preparing for the school year a ritual and can stoke excitement. Supply list in hand, let your kids pick out what they want so they can feel more involved in the process and more prepared for the brand new year. Keeping the budget in mind, allowing a few splurges can also put a positive spin on what can otherwise be a nerve-inducing time for kids. 

Schedule Family Time

If your child is distance learning, separating school life and its stressors from family life will continue to be a challenge. Try to create a transitional period between schoolwork and home life to create a more positive atmosphere. Scheduling fun activities for evenings and weekends, like a game night or a hike, can also provide the relaxation and sense of connection that will help your child focus and learn during the school day.

Even just planning quick, regular check-ins with your child throughout the day can make a big difference. That bit of planning gives your child confidence that you’re facing these challenges together, and it provides a built-in time for them to come to you with any concerns as the school year goes on.