Proactive Steps Prepare Parents and Students for Back to School

(ARA) - Going back to school can cause many emotions including anticipation, happiness, apprehension and exhaustion. But it's not just children who feel the stress and excitement of a new school year, parents do as well. With a little planning, the transition can go smoothly for the entire family.

Visit School

Many schools allow you to visit the classroom on the day of registration. This is the perfect opportunity for parents and students to orientate themselves to their new surroundings. For younger students, they can see their new classroom and meet the teacher. Older students can set up their locker and practice their classroom schedule. This will help ease the stress of the first day because they will know what to expect.

Get Supplies

Complete shopping at least a week prior to the start of school. Use the school's list of necessary supplies to guide you with your purchases and make sure you choose items appropriate for each age group. A trend in school supplies is they are becoming smaller, making them easier for transport and suitable for smaller hands. For example, the BIC Mini Mechanical Pencils are sized for smaller hands, have a comfortable grip to encourage better penmanship and come in fun colors. Remember to choose pencils with number two leads which are needed for standardized tests.

Mark It

Younger students will need all supplies labeled, including lunch boxes and clothing such as jackets and hats. Use a permanent marker that is easy to read, with a fine tip for limited bleeding. The BIC Mark-It Retractable Permanent Marker helps parents stay organized and is great for kids who will be working on school projects during the upcoming school year.

Alter Routines

Don't wait until the last minute to change your daily routine, start phasing into your new schedule several weeks prior. What time students go to bed and wake up can drastically change once school is in session, so start moving bedtimes up and don't sleep in too late. Also consider changing the times that your child eats breakfasts, lunches and dinners to be more in accordance with their school routine.

Talk It Out

Talk to your kids about how they feel about the upcoming school year. Some might be excited as the first day approaches, and others might have worries that they are keeping to themselves. Talk about new teachers, riding on the school bus, school subjects, activities and friends. Remind them that you are there to listen to all of their concerns and want to help when you can. Remember, starting school can be a stressful time, and some of the small things that adults dismiss could be huge concerns for kids.

Family Time

Finish summer with a bang by having a family party. Within a week before school begins, plan a day or evening that your family will spend time doing some of their favorite activities. Maybe make their favorite summer dinner, and take turns discussing favorite summer memories, and look at photos. This is a nice way to add closure to summer while remembering all the fun things that happened.

These tips will help your family enjoy the last days of summer vacation and prepare for back to school one step at a time. When the first day arrives keep a calm and positive attitude. Prepare a family meal and sit down to discuss all the things that happened on the first day. Continue to stay involved to ensure a great school year.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Return to the 2008 Back to School Index

Back to top 
Go to Virginia Greene          Go to Greene Lite