Preparing Kids to Go Back to School
Ease the Transition from Lazy Summer Days Back to the Classroom
With the passing of summer, late bedtimes and never-ending free time are about to be replaced with night time schedules and homework. Gently easing children back into school-time routines is an important part of preparing them for success in the new school year.
Ideally, begin to incorporate more structure into kids' days and nights about two to three weeks prior to the first day of school. At first most children will probably be resistant to leaving behind the carefree days of summer, but after a few days of re-instituting repetitive routines they should become less resistant and even begin to get excited about going back to school. After all, although their is no scientific proof, many studies suggest that it takes about 21 days to create a new habit.
Reinstate School Year Bedtimes
The first – and maybe the hardest – step to getting kids back on track is reinstating the school night bedtime. Getting enough sleep is vital to a healthy lifestyle and can impact the amount of alertness or energy one has throughout the day.
According to KidsHealth, it's recommend that elementary school-age children get an average of nine to 10 hours of sleep each night. Depending on the child's age and responsibilities, an appropriate bedtime for adolescents is between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The best way to transition children from activity to sleeping is to institute a bedtime routine. A common bedtime routine would begin approximately 30 minutes before the child's scheduled bedtime, and consist of tasks like:
- Dressing in pajamas
- Brushing teeth
- Reading a story
- Saying prayers
- Lights out
Drop by the Library
Reintroduce kids to the task of doing afternoon homework by visiting the local library and checking out reading books, and math and science workbooks of the student's choosing. Choose a time in the late afternoon – consistent with what the child's regular homework time will be once school starts – and have him or her spend an hour reading for pleasure, doing math and science exercises and/or journaling. Picking up where they left off before school was out for summer, will get children used to doing homework again and greatly reduce complaints once school actually starts.
Go Back to School Shopping
Generate excitement about the upcoming school year by taking children shopping for school supplies and clothes. Kids look forward to showing off new outfits to their schoolmates, and stocking a new backpack full of school essentials like folders, pencils and erasers. Back to school excitement can also be created by crafting personalized school supplies. For back to school craft ideas click here.
Visit the Schoolyard
Reacquaint children with their schools by visiting the school yard a few days before the fall school session begins. By familiarizing themselves with the school and where to go for class, lunch and recess will help to ease any first day of school anxieties kids may have. Setting up play dates with classmates prior to school starting is also beneficial to raising kids' comfort levels at school.
Following these tips will help result in a smooth transition back to school and a successful school year for children.
Preparing for Back to School
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