Family activities expert Dr. Bra Vada Garrett-Akinsanya shares tips on preparing children for their return to school.
- Talk about going back to school with them. This will get them thinking about it again after the long summer.
- Put your child on a school schedule one or two weeks before the first day back. Have them go to bed and wake up according to the school schedule.
- If a child is starting school for the first time, familiarize him or her with the building so that it is not so overwhelming on the first day. Go on a tour and point out their classroom, the bathroom and lunchroom locations. In addition, drive to school on the same route the bus will take, and introduce your child to the teacher if possible.
- Either you or the teacher should explain to your child the daily routine at school.
- Be sure to place a label inside a lunchbox with your child's information on it. Put his or her name, address, phone number and anything else of importance in case it is lost or there is an emergency. Include the same information inside the backpack.
- Buying school supplies is a big event for any student, therefore you should not exclude your child. They will be more comfortable going back to school if they have helped pick out their new sneakers, new folders and other new supplies.
- Get a copy of the school calendar and mark down vacation days and special events on the family calendar.
- Make a special first-day-of-school breakfast, complete with his or her favorite meal. This will help them to look forward to the first day.
- Include a special dessert in their lunch on the first day back.
- Stock up on rolls of coins and keep them in the kitchen cabinet for lunch and milk money.
- Place a picture of the family in your child's jacket pocket. Instruct him or her to look at this picture if they ever feel lonely at school.
- Be sure to be specific about the time you will come to pick up the child from school, or what time he or she will arrive home on the bus.
