Are your kids dreading going back to school? They won’t be if you try some of these tips! This time can be fun, but it can also be stressful. If your kiddos are fretting, be sure to talk to them about their concerns rather than simply dismissing them. Tell them about the first day jitters you had on your first day of school, or even about a new job you were nervous to start.
Talk about what to expect.
Look up what they’ll most likely be learning in the next grade. If you have time, order a few workbooks off of Amazon and get them started on a little extra practice for their grade level. If they’re transitioning from half-day to full-day school, talk about what they might spend the extra time doing. For older kids that may be transitioning to middle or high school, talk about the fun elective choices they’ll get, as well as the added responsibility and expected behaviors that come with going into higher grades.
Bring them shopping.
This is the best way to get them excited! Who doesn’t lovvvvve shopping? I know I do. Whether you’re shopping for school supplies or clothes, kiddos enjoy having some creative freedom. Allow them to help pick their outfits out. To save money, buy mix-and-match pieces so they can wear two different shirts with one pair of jeans, and so on.
Get fresh. Nothing says “back to school” like a fresh haircut and new shoes.
Many salons offer back to school sales for haircuts, so call around to get the best prices. Hit the back to school sales at the shoe stores when they have the BOGO ½ off, or check your mail for coupons. They usually come a few weeks before school starts.
Connect with their friends.
Before school begins, have them connect with their friends. Setting up a few play dates for younger ones, or movie dates for older ones, will get them excited about hanging out again. They will realize school time means friend time, too, especially if they didn’t get to spend all summer with those same friends.
Connect with other moms.
It’s also good to connect with other moms before school starts. This can ease your mind about kids going into a higher grade, especially when middle and high school come around.
Plan fun lunches.
Sit down together and plan some awesome lunches to start the school year off right! We all know the mid-year slump comes when we are just sending PB&J every day, so take the time to start the school year with some colorful lunches filled with fruits, veggies, granola, and more.
Read some books.
There are several books about starting school, etc. Try First Grade Jitters by Robert Quackenbush, or Back-to-School Rules by Laurie B Friedman. Take a trip to the library, or find them on Amazon (some are free to download with Kindle Unlimited.)
Have a party!
Throw a little back to school party for your kids and their friends to get everyone excited about the first day of school. Scour Pinterest for ideas. I think it would be cool to make it a little craft party, where everyone makes gifts for their new teachers.
Sign them up for extracurricular activities.
If your kids played sports last year, they probably continued throughout the summer, but if they didn’t now is the time to sign them up for next year’s sports. Get them in the habit of practicing their free throw shot, or perhaps they need to brush up on their clarinet skills. Either way, getting back into the routine of things now is going to make it easier when school does roll around.
Set up a study nook.
Do your kids have a set spot in the house where they can study? If not, let them help you design a little study nook. Whether it’s a corner of their room or the kitchen, or maybe the loft, squeezing in a small desk and chair to set up a study command center is the perfect way to get into back to school mode. Letting them help choose the decor for their “office” can help them get excited.
What’s your best tip for getting kids excited? Leave them in the comments!
Other posts you may find helpful:
Chris James says
Amazing Blog! It is always quite trouble to get ready our child for school. I had faced such a situation for my daughter every time, so now I am going to start online school for my younger daughter. Now she is able to learn from home, under my observation.