Tips on how to transition from summer to school

The first day of school is just around the corner and with it, comes the first-day jitters. Children may be anxious and excited about the change, new classroom, new teachers, new friends and maybe even a new school. The change can be a littThe first day can be pretty nerve-racking for parents too. The best way to combat these stressors is to prepare, not just for the first day, but to set the grouFirst, dress up, coordinate and organize.?Shopping for school supplies can be a fun way to help kids get organized and gain some independence and responsibility. Sit down together to create a list of what they will need. Do they need a lunchbox? A new calculator? Then, set some ground rules and allow kids to choose theColor coordinating notebooks, folders and supplies might be fun and useful. Older kids who have several subjects and teachers, may find it helpful to coordinate what they need for each. Say, green folders for math and blue for reading. It m00020000051900000520513,Have a walkthrough.?A lot of the stress over the first day is the unknown. Combat that by getting familiar with the environment. Visit the school. Have them see where their classroom is, where the cafeteria is, where they will be picked up and dropped off. Whether someone is driving them to school or they are boarding a school bus, have a practice run. Everyone feels more cSet goals and get familiar with the curriculum.?What will kids learn this year? A lot of this information is online on the parent portal, the school?s website aParents may not know what it?s like to be in school anymore. Not only has it been a while since they were students (and some of those math formulas may have sliHelping kids with their homework and working with them, is an effective way to show concern for what they learn at school and to get to know what their academicThis is also an excellent opportunity to discuss goals with older children. What does a successful year look like? What will it take to balance school work with00020000057400000A3356E,Technology is not the enemy. Yes, kids are spending a lot of time online and that is not always a good thing. Too much screen time, whether that is watching television, playing video games, or engaging in social media, is not good for their health or emotional well-being. However, there are many free learning tools online, from apps to video tutorials, help kids find ways tRoutines are good.?Like a standard bed time and morning wake-up call, having a routine, that includes homework, helps kids organize their time efficiently. What will they do when they get home: take a nap, have a snack? Whatever it is, makeSet aside a designated place and time for homework every day, maybe the kitchen counter while dinner is prepared or a quiet space in the living room. Avoid distCommunicate. This is an opportunity to get to know who their friends are and what their interests are, but asking children about school also shows them that their parents value their education. Try to avoid general questions, like "How was your day?" These will most likely produce one-word answers (fine, okay and good tend to be the general answers), especially as kids get older. Instead, try specific questions, like What did you read in class today? Did you enjoy the story? 0002000008D100000FA18CB,Get to know teachers.?Everyone is busy and it may be difficult to schedule a conference during school hours. Student orientation and open house nights are great opportunity to meet teachers, faculty and staff and to get a feel for what children are learning in school. But remember that you can aTeachers spend a lot of time with our kids and they are great allies. If there are concerns, some parents worry that their children may be too shy and introverted or the opposite, too chatty and off task, or if parents have questions on including enrichment opportunities at home, their teachers can help. And teachers can often spot problems or irregularities (missed homework assignments, change inRead, read, read.?Parents usually read to their babies and toddlers, but that habit does not have to end in elementary school. Reading with a child is an invaluable way to spend quality time together on a daily basis. As children get older and develop their own interests, help them foster that love of reading. Reading Harry Potter, for instance, as a family can be a great way to bond and promote tSleep is important for learning and for optimal health.?Studies indicate that Americans are not getting enough sleep, especially children. This chronic sleepiness does not just make kids cranky; it can be bad for their health. Lack of sleep impairs the brain, making it difficult to focus, remember and learn. This is not only important on the first day, when many families are getting reacquainted with an early morning alarm, but throughout the year. There will be projects and homework assignments, kids are notorious procrastinators. Make sure that they arSchool is stressful. It is where kids prepare for the future, where they experience some of their first triumphs and failures. Add to that all of the intellectual and physical changes that go along with adolescence and the result is a roller coaster of emotions, for them and their families. Working together to face those challenges will help make those life transitions a little smoother.