Tips for Parents Preparing for Back to School

Back to school time is always a huge transition, not only for children but for parents as well.

While children are filled with enthusiasm and first-day anxiety parents are worried about preparation for their kids. To help alleviate those fears, and to help your child prepare for the upcoming school year, all you need is some organization and forethought. Here are 10 back to school tips to kick-start the new year and get you ready for a new beginning.

Get back into your sleep routine. To help eradicate those stressful school mornings, set up a regular bedtime and morning time routine to help plan your child for school. Begin your usual school sleep routine about a week or so before school starts.
Shop for school supplies together. To get your child thrilled about starting a new grade, shop for some supplies together. Allow them to pick their own backpack, lunchbox, etc. This is a great way to give them a little bit of responsibility too.
Re-establish school routines. Have your child get into the rhythm of their daily school routine. You can do this by having them wake up at the same time every day, and eat around the same time they would at school. About a week or so before school starts, plan some outside activities where your child will have to leave and come home around the same time they would if they were at school. This will help them be rested and ready for the big day.
Set up a homework station. Sit down with your child and/or children and designate a time and place where they can do their homework each day. This can be somewhere quiet like in the den, or even in the kitchen while you are making dinner. Make sure to choose a time where you are available in case they need help with their homework.
Prepare for the unexpected. Working parents know how hard it is to find a sitter when their child gets sick. Before school starts, it’s a good idea to have a sitter already lined up in case you get a phone call home from the nurse saying your child is ill.
Make an after-school game plan. Make a plan for where your child would want to go for when school is done for the day. Depending on the age of your child, figure out if they will go to a neighbor’s house, an afterschool program, or be allowed to stay home by themselves. This will help eliminate any confusion during the first few weeks.
Turn off the TV and video games. For a lot of children, summertime is filled with endless video games and television programs. Children are usually in shock when they begin school and realize that six hours of their day is going to be spent on learning and not playing games and watching TV. Ease your child into the learning process by turning off the electronics and encouraging them to read or play quietly.
Review school material and information. For most parents, schools would send home a packet with loads of information regarding their child’s new teacher, important dates to remember during the school year, emergency forms, and transportation routines. Make sure that you read this information carefully, mark down any and all important dates on your calendar.
Get organized. The best way to prepare for back to school time is to be organized. With school comes a massive amount of paperwork that can consume your household. Designate a spot in your house for homework, permission slips, and any other school related papers. This can help eradicate all of that paper clutter and make your life less stressful.
Get your child’s yearly checkup. School and germs go hand in hand, so it’s best to get your child’s yearly checkup before school starts. Get any required vaccinations and ask your pediatrician the best ways your child can stay healthy throughout the school year.

Through preparation and organization, you can ensure yourself that your child will have a smooth transition to the start of the new school year. By doing so, you and your child can enjoy the rest of summer break. Tips were from teachhub.com.