I always start the summer saying we are going to stick with our routines and schedules, but then life happens. We have baseball games, fireflies to catch, traveling, and lots of summer fun that keeps us up late at night, throwing off our whole scheudule.
Before we know, school is just a couple of weeks from startin.g
Are you ready for school to start? The start of school will be arriving very soon for us.
Today I am sharing back to school tips for a smooth transition.
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Whether its the first time for your child to attend school or a new grade, the first day of school is a big deal.
Transitions and change of routine can be hard for anyone creating stress and anxiety.
To ease that stress and anxiety follow these ten tips for a smooth back to school transition.
1. Get Immunizations
Make sure your child is up to date on their immunizations. Lack of immunizations could delay your child from starting school.
2015 Recommended Immunizations for Children Birth Through 6 Years
2015 Recommended Immunizations for Children from 7 through 18 Years
If you are not sure, call and ask your physician’s office.
2. Establish a Routine
A week or two before school starts begin transitioning back to your school year routine/bedtime. If your kids are like ours they have had some late nights this summer catching fireflies, traveling, and enjoying the warm evenings. Those late nights often equal late mornings, which do not work for the school year. Start the transition early enough so that your kids are used to getting up in the morning before that first day arrives.
3. Schedule Physicals
If your child needs a physical, call early and get a physical scheduled. Get your physicals done now so your child does not need to miss those first days of school. The closer you get to the start of school, the harder it will be to get in to your physician. Everyone else will be doing the same thing. Physicians, just like everyone else, like to take vacations during the summer, decreasing their availability.
4. Shop for School Supplies
Check your school district’s website for a school supply list, pick one up at registration, or find one at your local Target or Walmart.
I printed my list and then used this check off list I created. You can find it here .
Find out if your school hosts a “move in night”.
Our school hosts a “move in night” the night before school is to start. This gives you an opportunity to visit the classroom and teacher with your child while dropping of their school supplies. Teachers may also have sign up sheets at this time for class parties, email lists, etc. I really like that we get an opportunity to meet the teacher, see the classroom, and not have to worry about school supplies on the first morning.
We have put together a couple of small gifts for our kids’ teachers that they will give to them on move in night. You can find those gifts here and here.
5. Designate a Spot for Important Items
Make a designated spot for book bags, lunch boxes, shoes, and coats. These are always the items that have you scrambling to locate in the mornings.
Our kids hang their backpacks on our coat closet doorknob. They put their shoes on the rack in that closet. They place their coats on the bench next to the closet for me to hang, since they are not tall enough. Their lunch boxes go on the kitchen counter for me to clean up and put away.
6. Plan lunches
Review the school menu and decide whether your child will be taking his/her lunch or eating at school. If your child plans to take his/her lunch, make sure you have items in your pantry and refrigerator for a packed lunch.
7. Check Clothing and Shoes
Make sure your kids have shoes and clothes to wear to school. We don’t buy new school clothes for our kids, but I do a quick review to make sure they have enough outfits to get them started. Our kids wear mostly sandals during the summer, so we always pull out their tennis shoes and make sure they are in good condition and still fit.
8. Make a Homework Plan
Make a plan and go over it with your kids. Make your expectations clear. This could include when they will do homework and where they will do homework. Set up homework station or box.
9. Plan for Paperwork
You will receive an on slot of paperwork throughout the school year. This will include important notices from the school, graded homework, and artwork.
10. Plan for How Your Child Will Get To and From School
Will you be dropping them off? Will they be riding the bus? Will they be walking or riding their bike? Will you be participating in a carpool? Will the daycare provider provide transportation?
You can find kindergarten specific tips here: Transitioning to Kindergarten.
I have teamed up with a great group of bloggers to bring you more back to school information. Click on the links below to find more great information. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end!!!
Raising Little Superheros//Home Crafts by Ali//Local Busy Bees//Play Dough & Popsicles//Preschool Toolkit
4 Ways To Prepare Your Child For Kindergarten
DIY Fabric Zippered Pencil Pouch
How to Establish a Positive Parent Teacher Relationship
A Week Inside Our Home Preschool
What Can Little Kids Do When the Big Kids Are in School?
