Getting back into the school routine can be a challenge for everyone in the family. To make adjusting to the new routine easier, start early and ease into it, professionals suggest. A new school year means a new routine. Get your child’s mind and body prepared for the big shift.
Here are seven great ideas from professionals to help you get into the back to school routine:
1. A few weeks before school starts, move bedtime back to an earlier time 10 to 15 minutes every night. By the time it is time to go back to school, your kids should be able to get back to a healthy bedtime no later than 8:30 pm.
2. As the first day of school approaches, make meal times more regular and aligned with the school year schedule.
3. Put a positive spin on going back to school. Talk about the fun things your child will be learning, the old friends he’ll see, and the new friends he’ll make.
4. If your child is anxious about starting the next grade, reassure her that other children have these feelings too. Also check out back to school books from your public library and read together to help your child with her anxiety. For book suggestions, click here.
5. Don’t make plans for big trips right before the start of school.
6. Establish weekday schedules for homework, TV, bath, and bedtime.
7. Arrange play-dates with friends from school to re-establish connections that may have been dropped for the summer, or to create new ones.
