As the back-to-school season approaches, many parents and children experience a mix of excitement and anxiety. Whether your child is starting school for the first time or returning after a fun-filled summer break, it's essential to prepare them both emotionally and practically for the new school year to come!
From creating positive anticipation to addressing anxieties, there are many ways to make this transition smoother for everyone involved. We recently had the opportunity to chat with second-grade teacher, mother of two, and popular educational content creator Paige Eppich for her advice!
How can parents create excitement and positive anticipation for the upcoming school year?
When prepping for back to school, it's important to include your child in the preparation. For example, as the back-to-school season approaches, take your child to the playground at the school, or include your child in back-to-school shopping! I am a firm believer in really engaging with your child through the process.
My son, who is heading into Pre-K, thrives off of being a part of the process. I have learned when I include him in the big transition, the excitement really builds. A new school year can be really scary for some children, and change can be scary - even we as adults feel this way! Talk to. your child about the new school year and have them get excited for the change that is coming. The more prepared your child will feel, the more positive the experience they will have with the new school year.
What are some tips for parents to help their kids transition smoothly from the carefree days of summer to the structured school routine?
When prepping your child to go back to school, it is important to get them into a routine before school starts. With my own children, a couple of weeks before school starts, I like to start getting them into the school time routine. For example, I like to start getting their bedtime and wake up time down, and set into motion the real feel of what the back-to-school season will be like.
Another important component to consider is lunch time! Start letting your child practice eating from their lunch box so that this transition is seamless, too. We know change is hard, so my best advice is to always be ahead of the game and make your child feel as well prepared for back-to-school as possible!
