August 01, 2020
Going back to school has always had its unique set of challenges. This school year the challenges are even more involved than in other years. With the current landscape of things parents are planning for the start of the school year in different ways. With distance learning, in school learning, and many other options on the table it can be hard to adjust. We have suggestions on how to get ready for back to school even if your kids are distance learning.
With the new approach to things, many school years are starting out very differently. Parents are having to decide on their learning methods for their children based on their school districts. Some parents are choosing in person learning. Others are choosing some version of online or hybrid learning. This can be a difficult choice but it is the first step in getting ready for a new year. Here are a few tips for deciding in your method and starting to get set up.
What is the right educational option for my child and my situation? - There is a lot of debate online about what is best with schooling during the current climate. While those opinions can inform your decision, at the end of the day it is best if you choose what works for your situation. Take some time to take an honest look at all of the options and pick the one that best serves your child and your situation. Here are a few things you can ask as you try to decide.
Find out what supplies you need. - If your children are returning to school, find out if the supplies will stay the same. Some schools are changing supply lists to accommodate a new approach to learning. If your children are distance learning you may need to purchase certain supplies to make the transition as easy as possible. Here are a few ideas for supplies that might be essential this year.
Get school items together - Start putting together backpacks, school learning areas, and other items so that they are ready for a new school year. The way that you organize these will depend on your learning option but having a system in place will help when school starts. Here are a few tips for getting school items together.
A routine can be a game changer when starting a new school year. Whether you are co-parenting or going it alone, with the school year starting it may be time to transition to a new routine. Between summer and the way life has been it wouldn’t be a surprise if your routine were a bit more lax. However, this is the perfect time to prepare for a new school year. We have some tips for getting back on routine to get ready for a new school year.
Start with bedtimes. - Later bedtimes can be a staple of summer. However, they aren’t necessarily ideal when school starts. Early wake-ups and getting started for school in the morning can be harder if they are used to going to bed late. Start by slowly adjusting bedtimes to an earlier bedtime to prepare for early wake-ups. Here are a few simple ways to transition to earlier bedtimes.
Work on early wake-ups. - While you may not want to wake up early all summer, it can help to start waking up earlier than you have been. This will help kids to transition more easily to a morning wake-up schedule for school. Start by waking up thirty minutes earlier and move it earlier the closer you get to the start of the school year. Here are a few ways to work on establishing early wake-ups.
Establish a daily routine. - Start by establishing a daily routine. This will help children to better adjust to the structure implied by schooling. Take some time to start building in a more consistent daily routine. This could include chores, summer reading, and time off of technology. Work on building a routine that works for you. Here are a few tips to help you with establishing a new routine.
With everything going on in the world, back to school can be overwhelming. For those who are going to have to adjust to wearing a mask in school, socially distancing, or skipping playground time, it can feel like it’s just different. For other children it means missing out on going to school, working on school from home, and spending more time away from friends. While these can feel really difficult for kids, there are ways to keep some of the fun of the new school year. It is important to discuss their feelings about many of these things. However, it is equally important to find ways to make it fun.
Create a homework/schoolwork station at home. - Whether your child is distance learning or learning in school, having their own space can be a game changer. Start by giving them an area that they are able to customize for their schoolwork. This could include letting them pick out the types of pencils, art supplies, or decorations they will use. If you have multiple children, let them design a homework bag or shelf on the bookshelf or desk. Here are a few tips for creating a homeschool/schoolwork station.
Celebrate back to school! - Take some time to throw a back to school bash with the family. This can include a themed movie night, video game competition, or an ice cream bar. The options are really endless. The goal is to celebrate a new school year in a fun way while ending out the summer on a high note. Here a few ways to celebrate back to school.
Create a school year time capsule. - If you are looking for something fun to do to celebrate a new school year, try a school year time capsule. Include things that are relevant to the beginning of the school year. Encourage children to write a letter to themselves at the end of the year or even color a picture. When they open it at the end of the school year they can laugh about all the differences between the beginning and end of the year.
Back to school will not look the same this year that it has in the past. Children are adjusting to more than just a new teacher/class. They are adjusting to a new way of learning in a world that was very different from last year. This can be very overwhelming for some children. It doesn’t have to be though. There are some simple conversations you can have to help get kids ready for a new school year. Here are a few questions you can ask.
The most important thing we can tell you as you prepare for a new school year is that you are not alone. Make the best possible choice for your family and focus on where that will take you. While some may not agree, at the end of the day, you are doing the best for your family given your situation. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for doing what you believe is right for your children. It’s a new adventure but it’s going to be a great school year!
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