Summer is coming to an end, which means that it is time to start getting ready for a brand new school year. You can help your child make the most of the new school year by giving him or her an idea of what to expect and how to prepare. These tips can help you get your child ready for the new school year:
- Start following a school year-appropriate sleep schedule. Getting a good night’s rest will allow your child to stay focused and alert during the day, which is especially important during the school year. Talk to your child about what time he or she will need to wake up in order to get to school on time and discuss the importance of being well rested before each day of school. Start following a school year-appropriate sleep schedule at least two weeks before the new school year starts.
- Get your child excited about new lessons. If possible, meet with your child’s child care or preschool instructor to talk about the lessons and topics that will be covered during the coming school year. You can also check the mail for summer newsletters that highlight the different areas children will focus on during the year. Use this information to give your child a better idea of the types of lessons he or she will be learning in class. You can start incorporating some of these lessons into at-home activities to prepare and inspire your child! Look for books about starting child care or preschool that you can read aloud during the last few days of summer.
- Create a family school year schedule. The whole family will have responsibilities to tackle during this time of the year. You can help the whole family prepare for productivity and success by creating a schedule. Highlight each family member’s responsibilities, hobbies, and other plans in order to help each member of the family stay on track and on schedule during the coming school year.
Following these tips can help both parents and children prepare for the start of a new year of school!
