Help Your Child Prepare for Back to School

Buying notebooks and scoping out sales is the easy part. There are less tangible things you can do as well. Here are some ways you can help your child -- and yourself -- get ready to go back to school.

1. Re-Establish School Routines

Use the last few days of the vacation to get into a school-day rhythm. Get your child used to leaving the house in the morning, so plan morning activities outside the house in the week before school. That can be a challenge for working parents, but when the school rush comes, hustling your child out the door will be less painful if she has broken vacation habits like relaxing in her PJs after breakfast.

2. Nurture Independence

Once the classroom door shuts, your child will need to manage a lot of things on his own. Get him ready for independence by talking ahead of time about responsibilities he’s old enough to shoulder. This might include organising his school materials. Even if your child is young, you can instill skills that will build con_ dence and independence at school. Have your young child practice writing her name and tying her own shoes. The transition to school will be easier for everyone.

3. Create a Launch Pad

At home, you can designate a spot where school things like backpacks and lunch kits always go to avoid last-minute scrambles in the morning. You might also have your child make a list of things to bring to school and post it by the front door.

4. Set Up a Time and Place for Homework

Head off daily battles by making homework part of your child’s everyday routine. Establish a time and a place for studying at home. As much as possible, plan to make yourself available during homework time, especially with younger kids.

You might be reading the paper or cooking dinner, but be around to check in on your child’s progress.

5. After-School Plans

School gets out before most working parents get home, so it’s important to _ gure out where your children will go, or who will be at home, in the afternoons. You might _ nd an after-school programme through the school itself If possible, try to arrange your schedule so you can be there when your child gets home during those _ rst few days of school. It may help your child adjust to the new schedule and teachers.

7. Attend Orientations to Meet and Greet

Schools typically hold orientation and information sessions before the start of each academic year. These are good opportunities for you to meet the key players: your child’s teachers, school counselors, the principal, and most importantly, front desk staff. (webmd.com)