Back to School Prep

The time is near for children to say goodbye to summer and head back to school.  Given that many children finished the past year with remote learning, for some it may be a hard transition. Here are a few ideas to help make the back to school transition go smoothly.

  • Set an appropriate bedtime and stick to it. If your child has been staying up late over the summer, start moving the bedtime back each day the week prior to the first day of school to get them back on track. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that children between the ages of 5 and 10 need about 10-11 hours of sleep each night while children between the ages of 11 and 17 should get about 8.5-9.25 hours nightly.
  • Help your child feel prepared. Make sure that you have the appropriate school supplies that your child will need. Most schools provide a list of supplies by grade level so that students can come to school prepared. Many children enjoy picking out their own supplies including backpacks as it gives them a sense of ownership and creates an exciting buzz about the new school year.
  • Visit the school. Attend the school's open house so that your child can visit their teacher(s) and see their new classroom (elementary students). Knowing who their teachers are and visiting the school prior to the first day can eliminate some of the anxiety associated with the first day of school.
  • Discuss transportation. Let children know how they will be getting to school and home after school. If they are taking the bus, make sure they know where their bus stop is and what time they must be there for pick-up.