5 Tips for a Smooth Back-to-School Transition

Last updated on August 18th, 2024 at 02:39 pm

It’s that time of year, parents–time to think about making that back-to-school transition. My kids love their summer vacations, but they can’t help but get a little excited at the start of each new school year.

If you’ve got little ones going to school for the first time, there will almost certainly be some anxiety along with that first-day excitement.

Here are some ways you can make the back-to-school transition a little easier for everyone.

Tips for a Smooth Back-to-School Transition

1. Get back on schedule.

If you’ve been lax with bedtimes over the summer, it’s time to get back on schedule. It’s so easy to let kids stay up late with the longer summer days, but a week or two before school starts, gradually set your kids’ bedtimes back a little earlier until you’re on the school-year schedule. [Also read: 6 Tips to Teach Your Kids Healthy Sleep Habits]

2. Books for the little ones.

For your little ones going to school for the first time, read some books that talk about what their day will be like and show characters working through their new-school-year anxiety. Talk about what you read, and see what questions your child has about their first day of school. Here are some back-to-school books we like.

3. Visit your child’s classroom and teacher.

There’s usually an open house before the school year starts which gives you and your child a chance to meet their new teacher and see the classroom. Seeing where they will spend their days and meeting the teacher should calm a lot of your child’s fear of the unknown.

4. Go shopping!

Let your child pick out some of the items on the school supply list. Hopefully, the school allows some flexibility, so they can choose their favorite colors of notebooks, folders, or whatever other supplies are required. Let your child pick out a backpack and lunchbox they love too.

You can even let your kids do a little grocery shopping with you if you’ll be packing school lunches. I always try to pack healthy lunches, but if my kids are shopping with me, they can choose between grapes or baby carrots, for example.

5. Start a tradition.

We have a tradition of letting the kids choose their favorite breakfast on the first day of school. My youngest son often chooses peanut butter pancakes. Knowing this special breakfast will happen every year really gives them something to look forward to, even if they are a little anxious about school.

For your family, it might not be breakfast, but a special dinner instead. Or, or may-be it’s something else, like a fun outing after the first week of school.

These are a few of the things I’ve tried with my kids. What are your tips for a smooth back-to-school transition?

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