Back To School
Summer is coming to an end, and we need to get ready for back to school!
Below are some tips that can help your child have a safe and smooth transition on their first day of school.
Routine! Routine! Routine!
Can you guess what I am talking about ?? If you guess establishing a routine, then you are correct! Creating a routine a week before school starts it’s so important and needed for students to know what awaits them.
Bedtime Routine
Creating a bedtime routine a week before school begins will help the child sleep earlier and feel rested in the morning. It will benefit them in their first week! As a parent, you choose the time. My recommendation is 8-9 pm is a perfect time for little ones to go to sleep so they can get a good night's rest.
Wake-up Routine
By waking up your little ones every morning at the same time, you are setting them up for a bright and happy morning! My recommendation is waking up at least an hour before you need to walk out the door. You want to give yourself and your kiddos time to get ready and eat breakfast before heading out the door.
Lunchboxes
Some schools provide lunches, and some may require you to send your kiddo a lunchbox. Creating a small meal plan together before school starts can be a fun way to interact with your child and make them part of their back-to-school journey and prep snacks (fruit, veggies, cheese sticks, granola bars) in advance for grab-and-go ease.
Some fun themes for the week are:
Meatless Monday → veggie wrap with hummus, shredded carrots, cucumber, and spinach.
Taco Tuesday → mini tortillas, shredded chicken, cheese, salsa cups.
Waffle Wednesday → Mini whole wheat waffles (turn into sandwiches with nut butter + banana slices).
Travel Thursday →Pick a different country each week (Italian pasta salad, Greek pita, Japanese rice balls).
Fruit Friday → a rainbow of fruit skewers with yogurt dip.
Talk about it
Back-to-school isn’t just about lunchboxes and routines; it’s also a big emotional shift for kids (and parents!). Supporting your child’s mental well-being helps ease the transition and sets the tone for a positive school year.
Check in with your child a couple of days before the first day of school. Simple questions like “What are you looking forward to most?” or “Is there anything making you feel nervous?” can open the door to honest sharing.
Read a fun and creative book about the first day of school as your bedtime book, it can help your child prepare for their first day. Some books are The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems, Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney, and The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing.
Create some unique rituals with your kiddo, like a fun breakfast and or a little cute note on their lunchbox.