Preparing For A New School Year: 5 Tips For Success

Who doesn’t love summer? Yet, those long, relaxing days come to an end pretty quickly, ushering in a new school year for parents and children alike. Whether your kids look forward to this period or they dread the regimented school days ahead, one thing is for sure — it entails an adjustment period for everyone involved. Below are some tips that will help make your child’s transition back to school easier for you and your family.

1. Get Organized

The first step to adequately prepare for a new school year is to ensure your child’s room is clean and clutter-free. After all, clutter has been known to affect sleep, anxiety levels and ability to focus. As the new school year draws closer, ensure your child maintains an uncluttered work area for handling assignments and school projects. 

To get organized, try color-coding, one of the most efficient decluttering methods ever created. Start by assigning a color to every subject, then get folders, highlighters, notepads and stickers in those colors. Color-coding is a great way to help your kids get and stay organized while showcasing their innate love for colors.

2. Roll Out New Routines

Before the new school year starts, introduce new routines to your child. Move bedtime a bit earlier if they’ve been staying up late during the summer months. Better yet, get them on the correct routine based on their class schedule in school. While this may seem like a military drill, it’s worth it in the long run — your kid will enjoy a smoother transition and won’t feel too overwhelmed in the early days.

3. Go Shopping Together

Shopping for back-to-school supplies can be exciting for children, so get your kid involved in the shopping process from start to finish. Allow him or her to pick out some supplies, outfits, and back-to-school shoes they love. This way, they’ll be more emotionally invested in the new school year, and might even be looking forward to the big first day.

4. Be the Bigger Person 

Each child feels differently about the start of the school year. Some are excited, some are nervous, most are a mix of the two. As a parent, however, you don’t want to make the beginning of the school year a bigger deal than it has to be. Discern your child’s emotions and go along with their cues.

5. Give Your Child Space at the End of the Day

Schools can be overwhelming, especially at the beginning of the year. For children in a new school or those who’ve not been in school, the routine and unfamiliarity require drastic adjustments. As such, avoid bombarding your child with questions about school and the new school year. Instead, help them adapt to the new experience gradually, naturally and in a stress-free atmosphere.

Getting ready for a new school year can be daunting, but whether your children are starting school for the first time or heading back after the summer break, you can always refer to these tips to make the transition easier for them.