Today’s guest post comes from Andrea Gibbs and it will help you prepare your kids for back-to-school time.
The first day of school is always a big one. It’s exciting, nerve-wracking, and overwhelming for both kids and their parents. Preparing your kids for this big day can help make their first day of school a little smoother. Whether it’s the first day of kindergarten, the first day of camp, or even the first day at a new school, preparing your kids for their fresh experience is always a good idea.
Children need to know that teachers and other adults at school want them to succeed. And for every child who has trouble getting settled into new surroundings or forming positive relationships with their peers and teachers, it can be traumatizing. Parents must have a conversation with their children and help them to feel as comfortable as possible on their first day of school.
This post will give you ten kid-friendly ways to prepare your kids for back to school.
1. Get Your Kids Organized:
Welcome back to school organization is essential. When your kids know where they’re supposed to be, when they’re supposed to be there, and what they’re supposed to be doing, they’ll have a better chance of having a successful day. Your kids must have the necessary supplies and materials that support their learning. Here are some resources you can use to get organized before the big day:
- Create a supplies checklist with pictures or descriptions, so your child will know what supplies he needs for school.
- Organize all of your children’s supplies by room, so you can easily find them.
- Label all the items you have purchased for your child, so he will know where to put them in the correct room.
- Take a walk through your child’s room together and ensure everything is where it belongs, including their backpack (which shouldn’t be too heavy) and other items that need to be there for school.
2. Talk To Your Children About School Culture:
Understanding school culture is important for a successful year. As well as being able to connect with their teachers, children need to have the ability to form friendships with their classmates.
You don’t want your kid to be the only one who doesn’t know how to do something that seems so simple. So talk with them about what they will be doing at school and what other kids will expect. Have a conversation with your child about how to handle school respectfully.
HOMEWORK:
Talk with your kids about homework and different expectations from different teachers. Ensure they understand the task and what to expect regarding assignments.
FRIENDS:
Discuss the importance of having friends and how to make friends. Whether your child is going to preschool, kindergarten, daycare, or another type of school, they will need to know how to make friends and what it takes to be a friend.
TEACHERS:
Talk with your child about their teachers and what type of communication they should have with their teachers. Help them know that a teacher wants them to be successful in school and that it’s okay for them to approach teachers for help when needed.
3. Set Goals with Your Child:
One of the important ways to prepare your child for back to school is to set goals together. Doing this can get your kids excited about the new school year and teach them how to improve academic performance and behavior. You can discuss what you expect from them, what they want to achieve, and what they feel will help them the most this year.
Use positive affirmations with your child that they will be able to achieve all of their goals and that everything will work out for the best.
4. Give Your Child Some Fun To-Do Items:
There are tons of fun back-to-school crafts that you and your kids can do before school starts. These activities will allow your kids to explore their creativity and be excited about the new year ahead. Back-to-school crafts can be the perfect activity for a rainy day or a simple way for you and your kids to spend some time together. Here are a few fun, easy crafts for you and your child to try together:
- Make a cute backpack for your child using felt, fabric, and glue.
- Make a fun and colorful tie for your child using safety pins, yarn, and felt.
- Make a cute book cover using felt pieces and glue for a favorite book.
- Make a fun lunch bag with colored pipe cleaners and foam sheets to keep food fresh.
- Make a cute pair of overalls for your child using jeans, plaid fabric, and ribbon if you have extra time.
5. Put Your Child To Sleep:
Your child may become more sensitive to sleep habits as the school year approaches. They may have trouble falling asleep at night and staying asleep or experience a sudden change in their sleep patterns. A lack of proper rest can make kids irritable, tired, and uninterested in learning. Avoiding this situation starts with putting your child to bed early. Make sure they get enough time in bed, so they don’t have trouble sleeping through the night, and start a regular routine as soon as possible so your child can adjust to it easily.
The first day of school is always busy, with several routines and events happening all over their new school. By making sure your child sleeps well the night before, they are better equipped to handle this new beginning.
6. Choose Comfortable Clothes:
Prepping your child’s outfit is also important in getting them ready for school. You want them to feel comfortable and look nice, but not so fancy that they don’t want to wear the clothes all day. Kids love to move around, so choose loose-fitting clothes that let them move. The right clothes will also help them learn new skills, like tying their shoes.
Seasonal factors should also be taken into account. When it is warmer outside, ensure your child wears comfortable and light clothes to keep cool during the summertime. When it gets colder, ensure they will be warm enough on their walk to school.
7. Safety is Important:
As you prepare your kids for the new school year, don’t forget to make sure that they are ready for their own safety. Your child will be going to a new and unfamiliar place, so you should ensure they know how to get out of a bad situation and seek help if necessary. Even if you teach them this information at home, it can be very helpful to remind them again before they head back to school.
Safety is essential to returning to school, so ensure your children are prepared for anything!
8. Make The School Year Fun:
Think about ways you can make the year exciting for your child. You can do this in many ways, such as presenting them with a fun lunch bag, backpack, or water bottle. This presentation will give them something to look forward to in the first few days of school. You can also make the year fun by including your kids in the planning for their education. By helping you pick out their school supplies, books, and clothes, they are more likely to be excited about the new year.
Another fun way to make the year exciting is by celebrating your child’s birthday with a special lunch and cake on their first day of school. This will show them how important they are to you and give them a positive attitude when they go back to class.
9. Make Delicious Lunches:
You don’t want to create a new routine for your child when it comes to lunch. Instead, you want them to feel like their old practice is starting again. This means you must plan and ensure that their lunch is ready and packed the night before so it can be available in the morning.
You can choose from various meals for your child’s lunch, whether hot or cold, but make sure they eat something healthy and good. Be sure to remove any food that can spoil quickly and prepare any fruit or veggies ahead of time. Also, remember that sweets are great for lunch but should only be given on special occasions or as an after-school snack.
10. Get Your Child Excited:
The first day of school is a big deal for your child, so you must ensure they are excited and ready to face their new school year. Help them get excited by planning this day out in advance and giving them time to prepare. You should visit the school with your child and show them around the school if you haven’t already. You can also list things they must remember to bring and have each item ready in their room the night before.
When it comes time to leave for school, make sure you hug your child goodbye and remind them how proud you are of them for starting back up again.
Author Bio
Andrea is currently the head of content management at SpringHive Web Design Company. This digital agency provides creative web design, social media marketing, email marketing, and search engine optimization services to small businesses and entrepreneurs. She is also a blog contributor at Baby Steps Preschool, writing storytime themes, parenting tips, and seasonal activities to entertain children.
