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Smooth Transition

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How to Transition Back To School After a Great Summer 

You have had a great summer, but the first day of school is right around the corner. If you want your family to be prepared, there are a few things you can do in advance to prepare yourself and your children to handle the “back to school” transition.

Step 1

Make sure to return from any summer travels or vacations at least two weeks before the beginning of your child’s school year. You and your family need time to transition and if you do not allow yourself a few weeks, you will feel twice as exhausted as before you left to “relax.”

Step 2

Start your child’s school year sleep schedule two weeks in advance of the first day. Adjusting sleep schedules is difficult, and time will be needed.   Your child will need help, patience, and extra time to learn to get up early and go to sleep earlier.

Step 3

It is never too early to hit the books.  If you haven’t required study time and limited television watching during summer, then you need to start that now. Homework and studying require structure and time. If you can integrate those skills before school starts, you will have more success.

Step 4

Make any medical or dental appointments now. The first few weeks of school are essential. If you child misses even one day, they will start the year behind.  Make sure to get dental checkups and physicals done during the summer so that your child can get the class time they need.

Step 5

If possible, consider adjusting your work schedule the first day of school. You child, even if they won’t admit it, would love to have you there on the first day of school to reassure them. It would also be good for you to be home at the end of the day to help them decompress and unload if necessary. 

Step 6

The weekend prior to the beginning of school, try to have one final fling. Start the year off by letting your family know that they are the priority by giving them a great memory to take them through the first few weeks.

Consider a mini-vacation, a big hike, or a big night out. The together time will charge up your family batteries so that the first few weeks go a bit.

 

Families Online Magazine:  “Getting Your Children School Ready”

Reprinted directly from” Families Online Magazine

Below are five suggestions for getting your children school ready. Do they need to be on your back to school list?

1. Start the school schedule early.

Break the summer sleep-in/stay-up late mode. Begin the morning and evening school routine at least two weeks before school actually starts. Don’t expect that you child will be able to make the adjustment to getting up for school quickly or easily without a break in period.. Take the full two weeks to work into the routine slowly by adjusting the bedtime and wakeup time a few minutes everyday until the desired time is reached. Your goal is to have the schedule set prior to the first day of school.

2. Create a positive attitude about going back to school.

Talk to your children about being able to see their friends, meet their new teacher and all the opportunities that being at school provides. Focus on your child’s area of interest and emphasize all the ways in which school helps to enhance that topic. When your child speaks negatively, redirect him into the positive.

3. Visit the school.

Reacquaint your child with the school. During the summer classrooms change, teachers transfer to new buildings, principals are reassigned, and new playground equipment gets installed. Don’t wait for orientation day to get reacquainted. Go to the school and play on the play ground, meet the new principal or office personnel, talk to the janitor.

4. Set goals for the upcoming school year.

Help your children create realistic expectations for themselves about school. Talk about what they want to accomplish this school year, not what you want them to accomplish. Remember not all of school is about grades. Making new friends, speaking out in class, standing up for oneself, staying organized, and managing behavior are all crucial skills for a successful school year.

5. Model learning.

Create a time in your home when everyone is involved in learning related activities such as reading, playing with numbers, telling family stories, journaling, or quiet reflection. Turn off the television and video games and have a set time for the whole family to feed their brain. In fact, model learning year round, even through the summer months. This will set the stage for homework.  A study time can be a logical extension of the learning time you have in your home.

Give your kids every opportunity to be ready for school this year. Head to the mall or department store with your list of needed items and remember to add to your list the suggestions above. By doing so you give your kids what they really need to begin this school year—structure, energy, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.