How To Prepare For The Kids Going Back To School

Back-to-school can be exciting and occasionally stressful for parents. The adjustment from the carefree days of the summer holidays to the routine schedule of the school year must be made by both parents and children as summer winds down. It takes more than just purchasing school supplies to get ready for this transformation; careful planning and organisation are needed to guarantee a smooth transition. 

We’ll go through every aspect of getting your children ready for school, including routine-setting and emotional preparedness, in this extensive guide.

Establish A Routine That Works

Getting back to a daily routine is one of the most important preparations for getting back to school. Summertime means that bedtimes and mealtimes are changed. Still, it’s important to get back on track as the new school year gets closer. 

Return To Your Routine

To get your children’s bedtime and wake-up time in line with the school timetable, start by gradually adjusting their sleep schedules. To give their body clocks enough time to get used to this adjustment, they should be back in line, starting at least two weeks before they go back to school. This means we’ve only got one more week until we start making these changes. Children’s focus, mood, and overall health depend on getting enough sleep.

Set Up A Morning Schedule

Because mornings can be stressful, make sure you have a set routine that includes time for dressing, eating breakfast, and taking care of yourself. For smaller children, create a visual checklist so they can stay on task without needing repeated reminders.

Plan Homework Time

Set a certain time each day for reading and homework. By being consistent with it, the more it becomes part of the routine, the more your children will be ready to sit down and concentrate. It might be a good idea to look at some activity books, such as handwriting or math, that they can start before they head back to school. 

Stock Up On School Supplies

When it comes to going back to school, something that has to be done is to stock up on school supplies. Many people think that they need to go out and buy new things every single year; however, if you want to stick to a budget, you do not need to do this. In fact, it’s better if you take a look at what you actually need rather than going out and spending a fortune. 

Look What They Already Have

Make a list of everything your children already have before you go shopping. This will help you stick to your spending limit and stop you from buying things you don’t need. If you are on a budget, you can easily cut back by doing this. Remember, you don’t need to buy something new every year. Often, supplies will last more than one year. 

Make A List Of Everything You Need

Most schools have a list available. Follow this list, but think about including a few other items that might come in handy, including art supplies for creative tasks, a calendar for older children, or folders for organising paperwork. If your children are moving to secondary school from primary school, then you may find that you have more items that you need to buy. 

Have a look at the school website or any letters the school has provided to you, as these should have a list of all the items that they need. The basics would be a scientific calculator, pens and pencils, a pencil case, and a backpack. When your children are in primary school, they aren’t likely to need to take any stationery with them; however, it’s a good idea to have some at home for them to use for homework. 

Make Sure You Label Everything

It’s easy for belongings to become mixed up at school because so many pupils buy similar products. There are many ways that you can do this, from writing with a pen to using printed stickers. My favourite way is to use a stamp. I got mine from Amazon last year. They are great because they will last through their school journey, and the name never washes out.  

Build A Homework Space

If you can, arrange for a spot in your home to be dedicated to homework. Keep it stocked with essentials like paper, pencils, and a calculator. If you don’t have a desk that they can use, think about creating a homework station box. Stock it with everything they need, pull it out, and place it on the dining table when they need it. The easier you make it for your children to do their homework, the more likely they are to get into a good routine with it. 

Look At Hygiene And Safety 

The safety of your children at school is paramount. The best way that you can make sure that they are safe at school is to make sure that you are in proper communication with the school. This means that you should make sure that your child’s medical needs are taken care of properly. You should also make sure that you have provided up-to-date emergency contacts for your child. This will include creating a password so that anybody who is on the pickup list can provide the password to pick up your children from school. 

If your children have any allergies or take any medications, then you need to make sure that you schedule a meeting with the school so that you can talk about your child’s needs. You will often need to fill out a form and provide permission for them to be able to administer any medications. If your child has any other medical needs or any additional needs while they are at school, then you should make sure that you also arrange a meeting. It could include having a meeting with the SEND person at school, especially if your child has already received additional support.

If your child is just starting school, then you must go through any toileting with them. Make sure that they know how to use the toilet themselves, how to wipe properly, and what to do if they have an accident. If they’re not toilet-trained yet, make sure that you work on this throughout the summer and get them ready and prepared. You should also make sure that they understand the importance of washing their hands and how often they should do it. Illnesses can be terrible in the first couple of weeks of school; therefore, you must make sure that they understand the importance of washing their hands. 

Sort Out The Uniform 

You should get the uniform sorted as soon as possible; it will help you to feel prepared, and it will make things less stressful when it comes to the first day of school. Making sure your kids are dressed appropriately for school will help them feel prepared and confident as they begin the school year.

Familiarize yourself with what the school uniform is for your school, and make sure that you create a list of everything that you need. If this isn’t your first year at school, you may still be able to wear some of the uniforms that they were wearing last year, especially if you have brought any throughout the year. This can help you to save money; however, if your children have grown up, you may need to buy a completely new uniform.

Examine Dress Codes: Make sure you are aware of the rules if your child’s school has a dress code or demands uniforms. Get whatever you need ahead of time to save tension at the last minute.

Organise and Declutter Wardrobes: Sort through your child’s clothing, throwing away anything that are out of style or that no longer fits. Make sure their clothes are arranged so they can easily choose what to wear every day.

Prepare for Changing Seasons: The weather may alter shortly after classes start, depending on when your school year starts. For chilly mornings, make sure your youngster has layers on, such as sweaters or coats.

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to buying a new uniform is the cost. However, if you shop around, you will find many deals. I find that it is better to buy a minimum amount of uniforms rather than buying loads. This is because children grow really fast, and you end up buying uniforms throughout the year anyway. It reduces the cost of having to buy everything all in one go, and it means that you can buy them items that they need as you go along. For example, my children have the option of having a jacket with the school logo on; however, I will wait a couple of months to buy this until the cooler weather has arrived. 

Most schools also state that it is okay and acceptable to wear a uniform that doesn’t have the school logo on it, which means that you can buy it from places like supermarkets. You may also want to ask your school about any pre-loved uniform shops that they have. Some local councils also offer support for people who are struggling to get the uniforms they need for their children.

If you are looking for more back-to-school tips, I always find Mumsnet to be very useful.

In Summary

Back-to-school can be a stressful and exciting time. When you plan it and get prepared, you will find that it starts to feel a little easier. Don’t panic if this is your first time experiencing the school run and getting your little one ready; it does get easier!