The holiday is officially over, and the third term has begun. I’m guessing you’re also considering how to prepare your children for school resumption.
Preparing kids for school resumption can be a complicated process…just as most transition processes are.
You and your children both have a lot of work to do to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
If your child is just starting school, you may be feeling even more nervous than he or she is.
If it is now a routine procedure, you may not be as concerned.
However, children of all ages experience anxiety on the first day of school.
For a smooth transition, there are some things you need to do to help both you and your kids get prepared for school.
The following suggestions are beneficial to both day students and boarders.
Of course, some points are more applicable to day students than to boarders, and vice versa.
However, they are all beneficial and should be considered.
1. Implement a routine for your child:
For children, routine is essential.
Most children do not adhere to routines during the holidays because they do not have anywhere to be.
Routine provides structure and allows them to be more organised.
Be strict about bedtime, mealtime, and so on a week or two before resumption.
2. Purchase school supplies:
Now is the time to prepare for the entire trimester or semester.
Stock according to your child’s age or level.
Crayons, coloured pencils, colouring books, and other materials will be required for a kindergartener.
An older child may require math sets, notebooks, pens, and so on.
Socks, handkerchiefs, and underwear are also necessities for your child.
3. Read with your children:
You should begin reading with your children to help them get into study mode.
This is also the time when you go over their work from the previous term with them.
This will also help you understand which parts of the term they may be struggling with and how you can assist them as the term progresses.
4. Plan school meals:
If your children still bring lunch to school, now is the time to do so.
Knowing what your child will eat in a day allows you to plan ahead of time.
Make a meal plan and stick to it.
Allow your child or children to help you make the table to make the process even more enjoyable.
5. Select school clothes:
Assist your child in selecting school clothes.
You can choose outfits for the first week of school a week before resumption, and after that, you should always choose clothes a day before school.
This will help your child be better prepared for school each day while also saving you time.
If your child’s school requires a uniform, make sure he or she has an extra (or two) pair.
Allow one pair of uniforms to be ready to wear at all times.
Some kindergartens require parents to pack an extra outfit for their child.
This is highly recommended because an extra outfit for children is always a good idea.
6. Back to school shopping:
Before school starts, take your child shopping for school bags, lunch boxes, shoes, hair ties, and other school-related items.
7. Talk to them about safety:
There is no age too young for a safety talk.
Teach your child the importance of security.
Remind them not to follow strangers or take lonely paths.
Teach them to change their route on a regular basis (for those not using the school bus).
Teach children who drive themselves to and from school about road safety.
This is the time to run through the route they’ll be taking.
Show them how to get to the bus stop or to school a week or two before classes resume.
8. Teach them independence:
When you decide to send your child to school, you are indirectly instructing them to become independent.
Children begin to develop independence at a very young age.
However, it is your responsibility as a parent to demonstrate and teach them more about independence.
Show them how to arrange their books, how to take care of their school supplies, how to pack their lunch box, and so on.
9. Reduce TV time:
As school begins, you should limit their free time and encourage them to help around the house or read.
This is done so that when school begins, they will not struggle to adjust to the change in schedule.
10. Make out family time:
It is easy to become so preoccupied with school preparation that you forget to be a family and enjoy regular evenings.
But be careful not to conflate school and family.
Similarly, you take care not to blur the line between work and family time.
This is also the time when you should spend more time with your children because there will be few opportunities for outings between school and work.
This is especially important for children who will be away from their parents for several weeks at a boarding school. Spend some time with them.
ENDNOTE:
It may appear difficult to begin preparing for school.
However, without a plan in place, it will be even more difficult for the school to reopen.
Begin planning for the term as soon as possible.
Always make an effort to involve your children in the process.
This will get them excited about school and make them feel involved.
Another good idea is to create a back-to-school ritual.
It could be that you take them somewhere lovely the day before school resumes, or that you give them a wrapped gift just before they leave for school on resumption day.
Help your child adjust to school life!