Back to School Blues!

Back to school is a fun and exciting time for kids and parents (and teachers too)! Even though it is exciting, it can be overwhelming for everyone to deal with. Here are a few ideas to help this time go a little smoother!

1.     ROUTINE, ROUTINE, ROUTINE! I know that it is hard to establish a routine in the summer. Baseball, swimming, parties, late mornings and nights, etc. usually keep families really busy! One way to help get back into the swing of things is to establish a “school-like” routine at least two weeks before school starts. This will help your child get back on their sleep schedule and will make going to bed/waking up for school a whole lot easier!

2.   Meet the teacher! If you have the opportunity to go meet the teacher at a meet & greet or school event, GO! This is especially important for younger kiddos. Sometimes just seeing the classroom or knowing who their teacher is will help calm their nerves before the first day of school. If the teacher sends a welcome letter make sure and read it with your child! A class meet and greet is also a great time to mingle with other families in your child’s class. It always helps to see a familiar friend

3.   Read! Hopefully you’ve spent some time throughout the summer reading! Go to your local library or to a local bookstore to get some new stories to read together! Some fun back to school books are listed below!

o    Mouse's First Day of School by Lauren Thompson (Author), Buket Erdogan (Illustrator), Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1ST edition

• Emily's First 100 Days of School by Rosemary Wells, Hyperion; Reprint edition (September 1, 2005)
• Clifford's First School Day by Norman Bridwell, Cartwheel (August 1, 1999)
• First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg (Author), Judith Dufour Love (Illustrator), Charlesbridge Publishing (March 2000)

I hope some of these tips make your back to school time a fun time for your family! J Happy learning!