Summer vacation is a magical time in the life of a child. No school schedule or homework, long hours spent playing in the sun, and family vacations are just a few things that make summer such a fun experience. Hopefully, your kiddos have had an enjoyable vacation from school. However, summer is quickly drawing to a close and with the end in sight, we start looking ahead to the coming school year. As parents, we know it can be difficult for our children to switch back into the structured schedule of school. Fortunately, there are some simple things we can do to ease the transition back into academic life.
Bedtime
If your family is like mine, bedtime has all but disappeared over the summer break. Well, it’s time for scheduled times for bed to make a reappearance! The important key to transitioning easily back to set bedtimes is to start a week or two before school begins. We are doing a disservice to our little ones when we let them stay up until 10:00 every night during summer break, then put them to bed at 8:00 the night before school. Children need time to adjust to a new routine and their bodies need to become accustomed to a new sleep schedule. If you want your child to wake up easily on the first day of school, make sure you begin enforcing a bedtime at least a week prior to school starting.
Clothes
While school has been in recess, you probably haven’t thought much about your kids’ clothing. After all, the standard summer uniform for children is old short sets and maybe a swimsuit! With school quickly approaching, you will want to reassess your kiddo’s wardrobe. Little ones are notorious for growing overnight, so have your children try on their clothes to make sure they still fit and are fit for school. Keep in mind your school’s dress code as you evaluate their attire. There is a good chance that a trip to the store will be necessary and you don’t want to figure that out the night before school begins!
Immunizations
At different points in their school careers, your children will need to have certain immunizations. Fortunately, these don’t come around every year, but you do want to make sure that you are up to date with their shots. There is a good chance that your school has a policy that requires up-to-date immunizations before your child can attend class. To find out if your little one requires any shots before school begins, contact your school’s nurse. You can also visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website to find a list of immunization schedules.
School Supplies
You want your child to have all the necessary items he will need to have a successful school experience. Many schools provide their school supply lists for the following grade at the end of the school year. If you have not yet received a list of needed supplies, contact your school office and request one. The time to buy these supplies is before school begins. It has been my experience that supplies are cheaper during the few weeks prior to school starting as stores are having their sales at that time. So remember to buy early and buy extra of things that you will need to replenish throughout the year. If you do not have the money to buy all the items on your child’s list, talk to your child’s teacher or principal. A simple conversation about your family’s financial situation and your concern that your child have the tools she needs to start school will usually be well received. Many schools can refer you to an organization in the community that helps children get the supplies they need for school. Your kid’s teacher can also tell you what is most important on the list and what can wait or be done without. Remember, most everyone has already or will struggle with financial difficulties at some point in their lives. Most teachers will be willing to work with parents to make sure their child has what they need for the upcoming year.
Talk
Finally, make sure you have a discussion with your kiddo about his feelings regarding the upcoming year. It is important for our children to feel confident going into a new school season and a frank conversation with our little ones will help guarantee they have this self-assurance. Discuss any fears or concerns they may have and come up with some strategies that will help them to conquer any worries they may be experiencing. Just knowing their parents are there for them will go a long way to ensuring a successful year for your children.
With a little planning and forethought, you can help your little one transition easily into the upcoming school year. Before you know it, they will be navigating their school experience like old pros!
