School begins in just a couple of weeks and it can be a stressful time for kids (and parents), but here are some tips that have helped our family make a smooth transition!
1) Begin the bedtime routine now! Over the summer months, our family tends to stray from our usual bedtime, so we will begin getting into the swing of the school-year routine now. We also like to pick out the next day's clothes and make sure all the important things are in our backpack before going to sleep to help eliminate any morning delays.
2) Practice the morning routine too! This one is usually the hardest for me because I have really grown fond of slow summer mornings. We walk to school, so I work backward from when the morning bell rings to help determine what time to set the morning alarm. If it's your first day of kindergarten, or at a new school, it may take some trial and error. Prior to our son starting kindergarten we even practiced the walk to school a few times to familiarize ourselves with the route and time it would take to get there.
3) Work on independent personal care now so your child is able to help themselves throughout the day without relying on an adult all of the time. This one is important for the younger kids especially - can they manage that button on their pants when it's time for a bathroom break? Can they zip up their coats and backpacks when it's time to get ready at the end of the school day? If their shoe becomes untied can they tie it themselves? If these things are a struggle then be sure to practice now and if something is still a struggle then be sure their school wardrobe avoids the problem spots while still working on them at home with you. Teachers have twenty plus kids in a class and time simply does not allow for them to be able to zip every coat and tie every shoe. Plus independence is a great thing!
4)Eat lunch together and set the timer! Our school schedules 30 minutes for lunch and depending on how quickly the class gets to the lunchroom and whether or not your child will pack a lunch from home or get school lunch, that 30 minutes can be more like 15 or 20 minutes in reality. If you plan on packing a lunch, then do just that and then sit together and have lunch. Watch to make sure (s)he can open the containers easily and then pack it all up again before transitioning to recess. Now is a good time to make sure the lunch box, water bottle, and any other regularly used containers are clearly labeled. If your child will be getting school lunch, then you can check here (and sign up for notifications) to see menus once they are posted.
5) Establish an after school routine that can happen when you return home, no matter if you come home immediately after school, or hours later after programs or playdates. There are a few things that our son is responsible for after he walks through the door after school:
- Take off shoes and put them in the designated spot by the door |
- Empty anything "important" from backpack |
- Clean out the lunchbox (9 out of 10 times ALL the trash comes back home to our house) |
- Wash your hands |
6) Plan a group playdate with friends from school, or your new class if you happen to already know some classmates. We often go all summer without seeing many of our friends from school and an informal get-together at the park can help remind kids of all the fun they have together during the school year. It can also be a great way for new students (and parents!) to make new friends!
7) Meet the teacher(s) before the first day by attending any "open house" event your school hosts prior to the first day. Even if you have been going to the same school for a few years it's exciting and can help alleviate jitters by seeing your classroom and meeting your teacher.
8) Talk about what will happen on the First Day and about the general routine. Will you walk your child to the door of the school or classroom? Or say good-bye in the drop-off lane? What will happen when school is over for the day? Will they be picked up by you, ride the bus or go to an afterschool program? I have found that talking through the expectations helps it be remembered when the time comes.
9) Talk about safety because this is the most time they will spend outside of your watchful eye and some basics will help ease your mind and teach your child what should happen in various situations. Playing "What If" is a way to begin the conversations with your kid and teach them how situations should play out.
- What if I am not at school at dismissal time?
- What if you are home alone and someone knocks on the door?
- What if a friend's parent offers you a ride home?
- What if another kid hits you during recess? or a friend?
The hard part can be keeping an even face and emotions in check while listening to your children respond. If they think you are angry or upset with their answers they may shut down and the opportunity to discuss will be gone. Help your children memorize your phone number and address and work together on picking some trusted adults who are considered "safe" for your children to go when you aren't available. Our son knows that in addition to his teachers there are two families that we consider "safe" options if mom and dad aren't available.
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10) Make some "First Day of School" memories! In our house, we keep our traditions fairly simple with the traditional "First Day of School" photo and then our son gets to pick what we have for dinner that night to celebrate. We have friends who kick it up a notch though and I have seen bedroom or front doors decorated with a waterfall of streamers and a sign, chalk messages were written on the sidewalks around the school and surprise notes tucked into a lunchbox (one friend did a joke daily - I was impressed)!
I hope you all have a great first day of school and hope these tips help you fly through the transition with very little stress! Before you know it summer will be a distant memory!
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