Back to School Tips

Heading back to school after the summer can be the best experience or not. Many children have spent their summer going to camp and keeping up a routine (almost like school) because parents are working and need to be cared for. Daycare is often the reality for many kids throughout the summer. Some kids have had the freedom of a summer “off” – playing, holidaying, sleeping late and a lack of routine. Neither is right or wrong, the reality is just what it is. That being said, school is a different story. Moving from summer camp or holidays to school is an adjustment. Here are a few little tips to hopefully make life a bit easier for everyone.

1. Make a chart of your routine for the day. Yes, write it down and post it. What time does everyone get up? What responsibilities do children have in the morning?
2. Get everything ready the night before – lunches and clothes and backpacks ready. Sign all the papers, fill out the forms.
3. If you possibly can, the first day of school is a great day to take your kids to school and drop them off. You might not be able to meet the teacher, but you can put a face to a name and see your child into the school. If they ride a bus, they can ride the bus home.
4. Create an area for “homework” – even for littles – whether in their bedroom or in a central location an organized space to practice writing or math or do homework sets kids up for success. (It can just be a cleared dining room table after dinner). Spending 10 minutes per grade practicing skills after dinner is a great way to plan for future success. (10 minutes for Grade 1, 20 for Grade 2, etc.) and your little pre-school or Kindergarten student can colour or practice letters and numbers. It is a win-win.
5. Get bedtime back on track. This is SO hard. You want to have fun during the last week of school; however, inching that bedtime closer to regular is so important. Younger children (up to 8 years old) should be in bed by 7:30 p.m., between 9-11 years old, 8 p.m. works well. Children through middle school school (Grades 6-8 or 12 and up) should still hit the pillow by 9 p.m. High school students should be settled in by 10 p.m. on school nights.
6. Plan your meals. Kids need healthy food to think. Work and school weeks are high energy and so coming up without a plan can mean a lot of fast food and unhealthy eating.
7. Have a family dinner at least 5 out of 7 nights. Ask your children for 3 great things that happened at school and 1 thing they are wondering about. By doing this, you get great insight into how things are going and you can keep asking great questions to encourage open communication about school.
8. Don’t overschedule your child. Is your child on the move every day after school? Set priorities, like rest and fun together as a family. One activity through the week and one on the weekend is a great plan. There is a lot of pressure on people to schedule travel teams and lots of classes but, take a breath and really consider what is best for your child.
9. Talk about safety. Talk about what to do if you are upset at school or on the bus. Talk about listening and sidewalks and waiting for the bus or walking to school. Try not to give in to giving your kids cell phones too young. Waiting until high school will be a courageous choice, but in the end it will be best for your kids. Limit screens – kids are tired t the end of the day, but watching too much TV or just playing video games is not a good way to encourage calm and sleep. You can relax by walking, reading a book, being in nature, etc.
10. Plan a celebration for the first Friday. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be homemade pizza, a family adventure. Let your kids tell you what a great celebration would be.

In the end, going back to school or work after a vacation is just part of life. We always told our kids that school is your job and the teachers or your boss. School is preparation for life and life is not always easy – in fact, it is often very difficult. Support and praise or key to moving kids forward and an essential part of going back to school.