Back to School: 10 Tips to Have an Amazing School Year
Hi #ParentPlatoon! It’s me, Dr. Eboni. It’s that time of year again! Whew, summer flew by and it’s time for our kids to go back to school! As we collectively say “aww” while looking at the adorable back to school pictures on our timelines, let’s take some time to ensure that our children have what they need to have a successful school year. If your child has already started school, don’t worry, you can start implementing these changes now.
Here are 10 strategies to help your child have a great school year.
1. Be sure to set routines and follow them consistently.
Certainly, following routines are important for children and adults, but having routines in place for children help them to have a greater sense of security, normalcy, and consistency. Bedtime and wake times are super important in helping to provide structure to a child’s day. Routines will help your child know what to expect, improve organization and timeliness, help in establishing habits, and may even reduce stress for both you and your child. One time saver that many parents love having as a part of their regular routine is preparing all school outfits for the week during the weekend. No more looking for socks in the morning!
2. Plan the night before for each day.
This will reduce some of the rushing and stress that mornings can bring. This may offer your family the opportunity to not dread mornings so much. This also increases the chances of having enough time to eat a healthy breakfast and reduces the likelihood of forgetting homework or other important things for school. This will look different for each family but may include ensuring that your child’s clothes are ready, backpacks including homework are checked, and communication from the teacher, if any, have been answered.
3. Keep open and respectful communication with your child’s teacher.
This often begins with Meet the Teacher Night or the School’s Open House. Some teachers even provide their contact information to parents prior to school starting. Some teachers prefer email and some schools have on-line communication portals. Whatever the preferred method of communication, voicing concerns earlier rather than later is typically best for the child. Establishing a positive and mutually respectful relationship between parents and teachers can really help students get off to a great start and have a great year. Be sure to inquire about the teacher’s preferred method of communication.
4. Be sure your child’s teacher is aware of important information regarding your child.
Even though this information is often provided to the school office, it may also be helpful to provide it directly to the teacher as well. Consider providing a note for the teacher on the first day that includes information such as any medical diagnosis your child may have such as asthma, allergies to foods or medication, a list of any medication your child takes especially if they need to take medication during the school day, your child’s preferred nickname (if they have one), and your cell phone number and email address. Additionally, it may be helpful to provide information about things that may make your child very upset or strategies that can help calm your child if necessary. This may be especially important for younger students or students attending school for the first time.
5. Have all required school supplies.
This literally provides your child with the tools needed to succeed. If you are unable to afford school supplies for your child, there are many local organizations that have school supply drives that may allow you to gather all the required school supplies. If your budget allows, splurge on a couple of items such as a cool set of pencils or a neat notebook. Additionally, it’s always helpful to provide additional classroom necessities like facial tissues and hand sanitizer.
6. Practice your routine before school starts.
Practicing your full morning routine from waking up to getting in the car or to the bus stop on time a few times before school starts will help the family get back into the swing of things. If school has already started and your mornings are off to a rocky start, consider outlining your routine and practicing it over the weekend to help future mornings go much more smoothly.
7. Ensure that your child eats a healthy breakfast.
Eating a healthy breakfast can really help your child get off to a great start! Be sure to leave enough time so your child can have a hearty breakfast rather than just a quick donut, etc. If there is not enough time to have breakfast at home, please pack a breakfast for your child or ensure he or she gets to school early enough to eat school breakfast.
8. Consider using a visual schedule for times of the day that seem to be more challenging than others.
Many parents use visual schedules for morning routines. Others common visual schedules include after school and bedtime visual schedules. For instance, if mornings are the toughest time of the day with regards to organization and timeliness, using a morning visual schedule may be helpful. This can even be helpful for young children who are not yet readers by using pictures to outline steps for getting through important parts of the day. A simple morning visual schedule may highlight parts of the routine such as wake up, wash face, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth, put on shoes, check backpack, and then go to school. You can create your own or find great examples on Pinterest.
9. Make certain that your child has all medical requirements met prior to starting school.
It is important to know your child’s school health and other requirements so that you can have all required procedures and documentation completed prior to school starting. This may avoid any unnecessary confusion or delays. A copy of your child’s immunization record should also be obtained if it’s required by their school. Also, if your child requires a physical form be completed by his or her physician, be sure to schedule this appointment well before school beginning as to avoid the back to school rush at the doctor’s office. Many student athletes require this. It is also important to provide the school with a list of your child’s allergies, medication, and relevant medical conditions.
10. Stay involved and informed.
Last, but certainly not least, being present and actively involved in all parent-teacher conferences is a great way to know how your child is doing, if there are areas your child can improve in, or even if your child may require additional supports. Participating in the PTA is a great way to stay informed as well as to support the school and the entire student body.
There are many more ways to ensure that your child has a great school year, but if you do these things, your child will be off to a great start. The most important things you can do as a parent to help your child be successful in school, in their community, and in life generally are to be involved, stay informed, provide consistency, and to make changes when needed-the sooner the better. Have a great school year!
Thank you for reading this blog post #ParentPlatoon. If you want to speak with me 1-on-1 regarding your child’s development, behavior and or parenting challenges, schedule a free appointment here www.timewithdreboni.com.
Until next time, take good care! ~Dr. Eboni
