The last few weeks of summer break have a way of sneaking up on families. Before you know it, the first day of school is right around the corner and parents find themselves trying to get everything ready at the last minute. Starting a bit earlier, however, can make the transition much smoother. A few simple steps spread out over the final weeks of summer break give your family time to ease back into the routine instead of scrambling the week before. Here’s what to do in the last few weeks of summer break to get ready for back-to-school:
Handle the Logistics Early
Getting the practical things done and out of the way ahead of time saves you from the last-minute scramble. This is the time to get school supplies, shop for new clothes or uniforms, schedule doctor visits and look at the school calendar for important dates. It’s worth double-checking paperwork the school requires, like immunization records and emergency contact forms. When left to get done all in one week, these tasks can be overwhelming and stressful. Spacing them out over the course of a few weeks makes them feel much more manageable.
Talk About the Upcoming School Year
One of the most important things to do when preparing for the new school year is to have an open conversation about it. Talk to your child about how they feel going into the new year, including what they look forward to and what anxieties they may have. Back-to-school prep is as much about nailing down the logistics as it is about helping your child feel mentally prepared, and these conversations are a great start. Try asking specific questions like which classes they’re most curious or excited for, instead of simply asking how they feel about school in general.
Connect With Friends
Social connections are some of the most powerful connections in a child’s life, and it’s important as a parent to help your child cultivate strong friendships. They build confidence and help your child feel supported and secure. Setting up a playdate, park meetup or casual hangout with friends and classmates before school starts can make a big difference in terms of anxiety. This is especially true for students going into middle school or high school, since having strong, connected friend groups and social connections can make these transitions feel much less intimidating.
Ease Back into a Routine
Trying to implement early bedtimes and wake-up times overnight can be a shock to your child’s system, and it can lead to some rough mornings and evenings. Moving bedtime earlier and earlier, by 15-20 minutes each day, during the final couple of weeks before school gives your child’s body time to adjust. This gradual approach helps prevent the grogginess and grumpiness that often come with an abrupt schedule change. It’s also worth reintroducing other aspects of the school routine, like setting up a study space or carving out reading time. This helps make these habits feel familiar and easier to adjust to once class resumes.
Prepare a Simple Back-to-School Ritual
Aside from gradually adjusting your child’s schedule, you can also prepare a simple ritual to help your family during the first week of school. Make sure backpacks are packed, uniforms are laid out, breakfast and lunches are ready to grab in the morning, and anything else that can make getting ready for the school day easier is prepped the night before. You can also plan fun things like first-day pictures or a quick phone call with grandparents. Anything to make back-to-school easy and full of smiles.
Without preparation, back-to-school can throw parents and kids for quite a loop. With these few simple steps, it can be a breeze. Our K-8 private school in Orlando is dedicated to preparing students for life in and beyond school. We take a holistic approach to education, focusing on building solid foundations for our students to grow into responsible, moral citizens who contribute positively to their communities. Learn more about us by visiting our website or by contacting us online. We can’t wait to welcome all of the Lake Forrest Prep families back onto our campus!