Back To School

The school holidays are coming to an end and it’s time for the kids to return to school, or perhaps they are about to start school for the very first time. Going ‘back to school’ or starting school can be an emotional and anxious time for parent and child alike. Here are some strategies that could help make the transition easier.

Be Organised
Be prepared, and ensure you have uniform and shoes that fit with plenty of time, so there isn’t a mad dash to the shops at the busiest time of year for school supplies, don’t forget any stationary materials also.

Get Labelling
When you have all the back-to-school supplies label everything. It’s incredible how many items they can lose within the first week let alone term, labelling ensures any lost items have a greater chance of being returned. We recommend a stamp label which is really cost effective and long lasting.

Update your Diary
Check the school’s website for their calendar for an important date and add them to your calendar to keep on top of what’s happening when. Meet as a family and plan out everyone’s activities and commitments checking for any potential clashes.

Bedtime Bootcamp
During the summer holidays it’s easy to let the kids fall out of the sleep routine, late nights and early mornings are brutal for all everyone. Decide on the ideal bedtime and wake time before school begins and a week or two before school starts establishing the routine gradually, tweak it and perfect it, for the school year to start smoothly.

Polish Paper Skills
The summer holidays have been a great opportunity for the kids to relax, play and enjoy themselves. Six weeks however is a long time for children to get out of the habit or skill of writing or math tasks, in the weeks leading up to returning to school plan some fun paper-based tasks to practice their skills and help prepare them to tackle the next school year.

Plan Downtime
The first few weeks back to school can be exhausting for our little ones. Keep the diary minimal outside of school and plan some downtime in those first few weeks back with littles ones while their energy levels adjust. They may have lots of pent-up energy from being sat a lot of the day, but also equally mentally tired from all the new skills they are learning. Enjoy some easy family activities on evenings and weekends like walking and arts and crafts, follow your little one’s pace and cues.

Encourage Independence
Over the summer holidays it can be easy for children to become more reliant on you as a parent to do things for them. Encourage their independence to help prepare them for returning to school. Get them involved in preparing their uniform and equipment, set expectations of what you expect them to do, this can be simple tasks like emptying their PE kit into the washing basket, or helping pack their lunch ready for the next day. Children flourish with routine, and supporting independence really does help them grow, and equip them for life, and improve time management skills.

Playdates with Classmates
Whether they are returning to the same class of friends or starting secondary school, plan some opportunities to socialise with some of the students they will be sharing lessons with. Starting or returning to school with some solid friendships will make the transition easier.

School Run Test Run
Do a test run school morning routine, time how long it takes to get everyone ready, fed and how long the journey to school takes, factoring in the extra traffic that will be on the roads in September. This should give you an indication of roughly how long you comfortably need for the new term, this will be particularly useful for children who need extra time to process new routines.

Meal PlanA balanced diet is crucial for a child development and aids learning and concentration.
Out of practice of making packed lunches, or need some new nutritious ideas? Spend some time planning some back-to-school breakfasts and lunch ideas for the start of term, Pinterest has some great bento box ideas to get your creative juices flowing. The week before schools is back, spend some time batch cooking some recipes with your children to prepare for the weeks ahead we like prepping baked oats, healthier flapjacks, breakfast burritos, banana bread and savoury muffins.