Kids Going Back to School? 7 Ways to Make the Transition Easier

Are your kids are going back to school? Start here first.

In the United States, more than 56 million students attend elementary, middle, and high school. Going back to school after a break away can be challenging under normal circumstances.

But the real question is, what's the best way to transition back to school in the era of COVID-19?

Check out these top seven ways to make the transition easier as your kids go back to school.

Read on to learn more.

1. Review All of the Course Information

When transitioning to school, be sure to review all of the course information with your child. Check out all of the materials sent by both the instructor and the school. Be on the lookout for things such as:

• Teacher name
• Room number
• School supply requirements
• Sign up sheets
• Sport and activity opportunities
• School calendar dates
• Bus transportation
• Health and emergency forms
• Volunteer opportunities

Be sure to have all forms turned in on time to make sure your child doesn't miss out on any extracurricular activities, like field trips. Consider scanning any paper documents and adding them to an electronic folder for safekeeping.

It's always a good idea to make copies of important documents!

2. Be Sure to Mark Your Calendar

When going back to school in 2020, be sure to mark your calendar of important dates. Many schools have a dynamic schedule to accommodate with COVID-19 regulations and it's important to stay on top of in-person school days.

Be sure to record all back-to-school nights and be prepared to schedule child care services if necessary. Don't forget to share all of the dates with your partner or significant other to make sure you're all on the same page.

This is also an excellent time to plan school transportation and drop-off and pick-up responsibilities for before and after school sports and activities.

3. Purchase School Supplies

Remember to purchase back to school supplies as early as possible. Try to fill up your child's backpack the week before school starts to give your student a sense of preparedness.

Many teachers provide students with a specific back to school supplies list, so be sure to be on the lookout for one. Always save your receipts when school supply shopping in case the item is not needed and can be returned.

Let your child have as much freedom as possible with things like writing utensil choices and binder and notebook color choices so they can establish a sense of independence.

4. Assess Your Child's Mental, Emotional, and Physical Health

In light of the last several months under quarantine and adaptive lifestyles for COVID-19, be sure to assess your child's mental, emotional, and physical health before sending them back to school.

Schedule a doctor appointment with your medical healthcare professional early on. Remember to cover all aspects of your child's health and be prepared to address age-appropriate issues.

This is also an excellent time to make sure your child is up-to-date on all vaccinations before the school year begins.

5. Establish Daily Mealtime and Bedtime Routines

Remember to establish daily mealtime and bedtime routines. It's imperative to establish a schedule for your child to set them up for success. Don't forget to schedule in breakfast before your student leaves for school.

Routines don't have to be routine, keep them exciting with new, unique activities.

If your child is working hard and sticking to their schedule, be sure to use positive reinforcement to encourage them to continue. Try positive reinforcement such as:

• Extra technology time
• Sweet treats
• New pair of shoes or clothing

Remember a routine is there to act as an outline. Don't get discouraged if you and your child are unable to accomplish every single item on the list.

6. Designate a Study Space at Home

When going back to school, remember to designate a study space at home. It can be hard to focus and work on homework at home without having an appropriate space to do so.

Try to choose a spot for your child that is their personal space. If possible, choose a space away from their bedroom and technology like gaming systems and television.

7. Make Yourself Available

As your student starts transitions back to school, remember to make yourself available to them. Going back to school after months at home can be scary and a big change, especially in the era of the pandemic and COVID-19.

Be sure to have your mobile device on and ready to react and respond to your child throughout the day. Be reliable with drop-off and pick-up times to and from school. Let your child know they can count on you.

Don't be afraid to lean on those around you for additional support, such as friends, family, and neighbors. After all, your child going back to school is a big change for everyone in the family.

Going Back to School Tips

Make going back to school fun and easy with these ideas to smooth over the transition from home to school life. Be sure to keep your kid engaged and excited with these impressive going back to school tips.

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