Tip Of The Month
Heading Back to School
July 2010
Remember Routines. Family routines tend to slide in the summer and it can be hard to readjust come fall. Well before school starts, focus on choosing sleep, exercise, healthy foods, and time together.
Get Ready! Don’t underestimate the fun and importance of new stuff for the big day. With younger kids, a bag full of school supplies, a new backpack and a few new items of clothing tend to gear them up without any further encouragement. For an older child, this may be the time to give the thumbs-up to that must-have trend item.
Show Them the Way. If she’s new to the school, show your child her classroom, what entrance and exit to use and where the bathroom is located. If she’s taking the bus, visit the bus stop location and explain how to get on and off, especially if it’s the first time. Show her the drop off and pick up spot at school, too—if you’re not sure where it will be, call the school ahead of time to find out.
Prepare the Teacher. Let your child’s teacher know about any specifics about behaviour or health, such as a bladder infection.
Talk, Talk, Talk. Try to think of all the positive things that they like about school and I talk about them as much as possible. Ask about friends they haven’t seen over the summer. Also look at your kids and note anything different that their friends will notice, such as a new hairstyle or if they’ve grown over the summer. Never mention homework or teachers they weren’t crazy about.
Be Organized. Ease back-to-school anxiety by being prepared. Help your child to lay out her clothes and pack her backpack the night before. Be sure to include a healthy lunch and a snack that your child can open and eat on his own. For ideas, go to our best bagged lunches guide.
Take It Easy. Preparation is great—but don’t go overboard. If September was a hard month for you as a kid, it might not necessarily be the same for your child, and vice versa. You’re the best judge of when your child needs reassurance, and how to go about giving it. In the end, remember that it’s normal to feel a little nervous or fluttery about that first week back. Everyone, including the teachers, feels like that.
Resource:
http://parenting.kaboose.com/education-and-learning/back-to-school-countdown.html
