This year, getting ready to go back to school feels different. Because many students haven’t been in a classroom since before the pandemic, some anxiety is to be expected. While the idea of returning to the normal swing of things is exciting and relieving, many are wondering about how to prepare their children for the return to school.
With just over a month left of summer, now’s the perfect time to start implementing some routines at home that will prepare your students to readjust to the school environment. Our students have been through a lot; they have been quarantined, socially distanced, and they are zoom fatigued.
We know students are more than ready to join their friends again in the classroom. Let’s make sure they are prepared to return to school and thrive during the upcoming year. Here are 5 ways to prepare students to go back to in-person learning.
● Set a bedtime: Getting enough sleep is critical to students’ success. Of course during the summer there are more activities and events that might keep your children up late, but try to limit these late nights to weekends only. During the week, have your children get into the routine of going to bed at an appropriate time and waking up early. The more they do this before school starts, the easier those early mornings will be.
● Get a healthy start: It’s important for students to have a healthy start to the day. Some students eat breakfast at home and some use their school’s breakfast program. Either way, remind your children of the importance of breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast in the morning will give your child the energy they need to start the school day on a positive note.
● Read: If your child hasn’t picked up a book all summer, take them to the library. Let them pick out something that they are interested in so they will actually read it. If you have younger children, you might have to help them pick out a few children’s books. If your child is a bit older, they can pick out a novel to finish over the rest of the summer. Worried about your child’s reading progress? Read about how your child’s reading skills develop and what to look out for.
● Establish routines: Another way to prepare for the upcoming school year is to talk with your children about routines. Will you have a designated time for doing homework? Are you going to be juggling multiple extracurricular activities? If so, talk with your children about how they will manage their time. Allowing your child to be a co-decision maker in this process helps them practice the important life skill of time management and it also gives them a sense of autonomy in their daily lives.
● Talk about health: After a year of pandemic turmoil, uncertainty, and isolation, we need to check in with our children about physical and mental health. Talk to your kids about social distancing, handwashing procedures, and other ways they can prevent the spread of diseases. Also talk about the importance of mental health. Make sure your middle and high school students are familiar with their school counselor and any support they have access to via their school. Ask your child who they know they can talk to about feelings of depression or anxiety if they occur.
Now that you’ve read our 5 tips for preparing your kids to go back to school, you’re ready to implement them in your routine. We are wishing everybody a smooth transition back to school this year. Which tips are you going to start using to prepare your kids?
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