While the kids may dread it and the parents may be counting down, either way, it’ll be time to get back to school before you know it.
Even the most excited students and parents often let time slip right by. You may end up frantically filling your shopping cart with picked-through school supplies and sugar-loaded confections to get you through that first morning back.
“Start planning now,” says Kara Norris, counselor at New Summit School. “Plan ahead. Do not wait until the first day to find out what your children need.”
Norris said this goes beyond finding the school supply list.
“Make sure your child has money on their lunch account,” said Norris. “If they take their lunch, go ahead and start preparing their lunch supplies. Know what the dress code is.”
Norris said that by not being prepared, you could be making it harder on your child.
“If your child feels like they’re not wearing the right thing, if they don’t have the right supplies, they can develop anxiety,” said Norris. “So the first week may not go as well.”
Another way to prepare ahead? The kids may not like it–but go ahead and start going back to that bedtime routine.
“Elementary kids need 10 hours of sleep a night,” said Norris. “And studies have shown that screens can keep a child away. Start an hour before bed by turning off all technology… and start getting that going to bed and waking up routine going at least a week before school starts.”
Breakfast plays just as big of a part in getting the kids ready as going on that back-to-school shopping trip.
“Breakfast really is the most important meal of the school day in particular,” said Rebecca Turner, registered dietitian. “Plenty of studies have shown that kids that get breakfast perform better, get better grades and test scores, specifically in math and reading.”
