Preparing for Back to School Season!

Back to school season is here! This time of year can be both exciting and stressful for children, so it's important to make sure they feel well-prepared for the school year to come.

We put together our favorite back to school tips and tricks from fostercare.com and Children's Educational Services to make the transition from end of summer to the start of school a little bit easier! 

Develop a routine before the first day.

With camps, sports, and more, children's summer schedules may not match up with their school schedules. This is why it's important to develop a good routine and have it be established before school actually starts. This includes things like a sleep routine, where kids go to bed earlier each night until reaching the desired "school night" bedtime, starting a healthier, a more balanced diet, and adjusting daily screen time.

Allow the child to involve themself in the transition to school.

One great way to get your child more interested in the back to school transition is to allow them to get involved in the process! Some ways to do this include:

• Creating a back to school supplies shopping list and taking them along to pick out items
• Going through their closet to get rid of items that no longer fit
• Looking for lunch ideas together or have them help pack their lunch
• Encouraging your kids to lay out their school clothes the night before
• Having your kids set realistic goals for the new year, such as reading 30 books
  
• Helping your kids develop a filing system for organizing their documents for each class
  
• Discussing what your kids can expect on the first day so they feel more prepared
  

Plan out extracurriculars weekly.

It's important to plan out extracurricular activities each week to avoid over- scheduling! Create a family calendar that tracks everyone’s activities and commitments; that way, it's clear what needs to get done each week, and you're able to figure out in advance how everyone will get where they need to be. It's also important to establish a set “Family Time,” whether it’s during dinner or before bed!

Get to know their teachers.

Communication with teachers is key when making sure your child is successfully transitioning into a new year. If you know your child’s teachers, daily schedule, etc., you will be able to support them with whatever they need. You can also ask teachers for class rosters so you can arrange playdates with new classmates!

Do something fun!

Finally, the end of summer doesn't have to be sad! End the summer in a fun way to help out your child's back-to-school stress. Whether it's a day at the pool or a family dinner at their favorite restaurant, there are a lot of ways to end the summer on a positive note.