This article contains our top back-to-school hacks to help you and your children get ready for the new school year. Hope you find them very helpful.
The back-to-school period is usually received with mixed feelings by parents all around the world. Whether you can’t wait till your children are back in school or dread the more regimented days ahead, there’s one thing we are sure of – that back-to-school period is always a big transition.
This is because it signals the time to go back to our daily and weekly routines which were otherwise put on hold or altered during the holidays. Children who are starting school for the first time or moving to a new school have to cope with major adjustments but even those who are just moving up a grade also experience a few changes in their academics and social circles.
Helping children successfully navigate the back-to-school period is a full-time task.
One of the reasons is that they often find it hard to get back into a regular schedule, and as parents, it is our duty to get them in the right frame of mind before school starts.
Our Top 5 Back-to-School Hacks
#1. Visit their School
Of all the back-to-school hacks we would be sharing in this article, visiting your child’s school might be the most important. This is highly recommended for parents whose children are starting a new school or moving from one section to another (maybe elementary to secondary section).
In order to get your child ready for the new session, you need to pay a visit to the school and try to get familiar with the teachers and some of their teaching methods. You can click here to get the full list of questions to ask when you visit your child’s school.
Greensprings School organises regular parent forums for new and existing parents, and over the years, it has been very helpful. With this in place, when school resumes your child will find it easier to adapt and fit into the new school environment.
#2. Set up new routines and practice it with them
As the holidays draw to a close, it is a good time to introduce new back-to-school routines into your everyday lives. Both children and adults will benefit from practising these new routines quite early.
In the last few days of summer, you can move bedtime back to the time it was before the holidays began. It will not only help you predict and determine how early you and your children need to get up, but your children will benefit from learning what to expect each weekday.
#3. Have conversations about the new school year
Have conversations with your children about the new school year. This will provide an avenue for them to discuss their fears, goals and expectations. You can also use this period to help them figure out the best strategies they can use to achieve their objectives.
Whatever topics you choose to discuss, talking about school will stimulate your child to begin focusing on the school year ahead.
#4. Review school material and information
Schools send out relevant information through various channels — (print or electronic) to parents during the holidays. The back-to-school period is a good time to actually go through these materials.
They could contain useful information such as important dates to remember, emergency forms, and transportation routines and fee changes.
Make sure that you read through this information carefully, and markdown all important dates on your calendar. This will help you make adequate plans for the school year.
#5. Take them shopping with you
Children get excited when they are involved in planning any major activity or event.
While you take advantage of the numerous back-to-school offers and promotions available in stores, it would be a great idea to have your kids will pick out the items they would need. Doing so will help them feel prepared and will also provide an opportunity to talk about how the new supplies might be used in the coming year.
Other back-to-school hacks every parent must know
#6. Pay a visit to the doctor
The period before the school finally resumes is usually the best time to get your child to see the doctor. It is a good time to get the necessary vaccinations and learn new ways through which your child can stay healthy throughout the school year.
#7. Re-introduce them to books
Research has shown that children who are not creatively engaged during the summer experience “summer slide” or “summer learning loss.” Before children go back to school it is always advisable to re-introduce them to educational materials such as books, tapes and movies.
These materials will help them remember some of the things they might have forgotten during the summer and prepare their minds for school work.
#8. Prepare for the unexpected
This is one of the major back-to-school hacks we often suggest to parents. Try to get a back up for some of the things that are directly outside your control. For example, a backup baby sitter in case the current one calls in sick or a spare car to drop them off at school in case you are not able to do it yourself.
This reduces the effects of stress you may face due to unforeseen circumstances.
As we conclude the list of our top back-to-school hacks for parents, remember the key to a smooth transition is starting early and getting your children involved in the preparation process. We look forward to an amazing school year.
