As summer winds down, its time to start thinking about preparing your kids to go back to school. If you start now, you can make the transition easier for your entire family. Here are nine tips to get your family ready for a new school year.
1) Transition into a school schedule. Establish a school-day schedule for homework, TV, baths and bedtime. Starting 7-10 days before before the first day of school, ease your kids into your school schedule by backing up their bedtime 15 minutes each night and consistently waking them earlier. Also, establish a “get ready the night before” policy. Pick out clothes for the next day and set your coffee maker. Once the school year starts, add packing backpacks (and lunch boxes) every evening to your nightly routine. You’ll save precious time in the morning.
2) Organize your family calendar. From sports practice to music lessons, it will be easier on everyone if you work out who needs to be where and at what time. My husband and I use a Google Calendar to sync our activities. But we also keep a extra-large calendar hanging on the wall for our boys. They like to see the stickers that mark the holidays, birthdays, and vacation days.
Now is also the time to visit your school’s website and download a copy of the school calendar. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of local school districts in the Chattahoochee Valley area and their contact information: Click here.
3) Gather your paperwork. Schools require lots of forms. Have the necessary immunization records available for easy reference. Be prepared to update school emergency contact and health information for the upcoming year. Visit your school’s website to view registration information, school supply lists, and more.
4) Arrange transportation. Will your child be riding the bus? Find out the bus route and discuss bus safety rules with your child. Do you drive your children to school? Look into carpool options. Whether it’s an arrangement with your child’s classmate, or even your hubby, carpooling can help you save time and gas money.
5) Confirm after-school care. After-school care can be a challenge, especially if both parents work. Now is the time to confirm any after-school arrangements. Make sure your child knows when and who will pick her up when school lets out and when the after-school program ends.
6) Complete back-to-school shopping. Don’t wait until the last minute for this. Do any clothing shopping you can now. Keep in mind school dress codes while shopping. Will your child be wearing a uniform? Does she need new shoes? Backpack? Lunchbox? Now is the time to stock up on school supplies too. Click here and here for tips to save money and simplify your back-to-school shopping.
7) Set up a place and time for homework. Set up a quiet place for your child to study at home and stock it with school supplies. Make sure the location is well-lit with a good work surface. Also, establish a regular homework time. As you ease your kids into a school routine, have them use this designated time to read a book, play a game, or do a crossword puzzle.
8) Try a practice morning run. Practice your morning routine several days before school starts. If you drive your children to school, use this practice run to find the most efficient route to school and which streets have the least traffic. Last year my boys attended different schools with vastly different drop off and pickup procedures. It took several practice runs, but I figured out that I needed to drop off my youngest child first before school and pick up my oldest child first after school.
9) Calm the “new school” butterflies. It is normal for your child to be anxious about entering a new school or starting the next grade. Here are some tips to help your child become more comfortable:
- Talk about the fun things your child will learn, the old friends he’ll see and the new friends he’ll make.
- Reassure her that other children have these feelings too.
- Call the school and arrange a visit to tour the school and meet the teachers before the first day. Let your child see the classrooms, playground and cafeteria and get a feel for the new school environment.
- If your child has special needs, such as a learning disability or food allergy, work with the new school as far in advance as possible to determine placement and to line up services and support.
- Arrange play dates with friends from school to re-establish connections, or to create new ones.
