How to Prepare for Back to School
Ease your children back into their school schedule with these parent-tested tips.
Up next in Back-to-School (9 videos)
Save money on school supplies, help your kids with homework, learn how to deal with teachers -- it's all in Howcast's back-to-school video series.
You Will Need
- Sleep schedule adjustments
- Shopping spree
- Clean homework area
- Playdates
- Homemade frozen dinners
- Composure
- Fun morning activities (optional)
- New gadget (optional)
- Teacher meeting (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Reset their body clock
If your children have been staying up late and sleeping in all summer, reset their body clocks: Starting two weeks before school, send them to bed a little bit earlier every night -- and get them up a little earlier every morning -- until they're back on a school-day schedule.
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Get them used to the impending morning rush by planning early-morning activities they'll want to jump out of bed for.
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Step 2
Take them shopping
Take them shopping for school supplies and, if your budget permits, a few new back-to-school clothes. Let them have a say in the selection process to get them excited about the return to the classroom.
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Step 3
Prepare their work area
Help them prepare the area where they'll be doing their homework, especially if they seem anxious about the upcoming year. Having a clean, organized space with some new supplies may help ease their nerves -- and might even get them excited about a fresh start.
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Surprise them with a new electronic gadget that can be used to do homework. Check out websites like eBay and Craigslist for bargains.
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Step 4
Set up playdates
Set up playdates with school friends they haven't seen all summer to remind them that the school year has its fun side.
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If you're child is starting at a new school, see if it's possible to have them meet their new teacher before the school year starts.
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Step 5
Cook ahead
Make double batches of meals now so you can quickly defrost dinner during those first hectic days.
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Step 6
Tamp down your own fears
Keep any of your own anxieties about the upcoming school year to yourself. Children take their lead from you; if you seem composed, it may alleviate their own fears.
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Up to 18 percent of children display anxiety over returning to school in the fall that can lead them to be disruptive in class, according to one study.
