Kids still have a few weeks of summer vacation left, but now is the perfect time to start preparing for back to school. Let your kids ease into things so they’re ready to go when the first day of school gets here. It is not unusual for kids of all ages to be nervous about a new school year and all of the changes that come with it, but here are a few ways you can help them feel more confident and prepared:
Stock Up on School Supplies
Back to school sales are starting. Let your child pick out their own supplies, even if it means simply finding exactly what is on the list provided by the school. They can feel more comfortable knowing they have just what their teachers asked for. Make things more fun by letting them select some supplies for home too that can be whatever color, style, or theme they want.
Set Up a Workspace
Get your child excited for school by letting them revamp their homework and study space. Get containers to keep their school supplies organized, make sure everything they need is easily accessible, and create a comfortable spot where they can focus. Maybe they’ve been eyeing a new desk chair or pair of headphones that will make doing schoolwork more enjoyable.
Start Developing a Routine
Sleep and wake routines are often laxer during the summer. Slowly start shifting times by 15 minutes every few days to get them back to when they need to go to bed and wake up for school. Get into the habit of picking out clothes the night before to save time. Work with your high schooler to figure out the best route to drive to school and how long it takes so they know when they need to leave, especially if they are dropping off younger siblings. Consider the activities they will be involved in during the school year and put together a draft of their daily and weekly schedule to get them thinking about time management.
Talk About It
What are they most excited about for the upcoming year? What makes them nervous? If they get their schedule ahead of time, have them talk to their friends to see who is in each of their classes. This can ease their nerves because they know going in that there will be some friendly faces. They also have someone they ask questions about what happened in class, homework, projects, and tests.
Brush Up on Skills
Is your child taking advanced or AP level courses this year? Were there classes they struggled with last year? Now is a great time to fill in any knowledge gaps and preview new content. A tutor can work with them to build a stronger foundation of knowledge for classes they may be anxious about so they can feel more confident and prepared. Getting a head start and knowing they have one-on-one support can make learning new material less stressful. They may also realize they understand more than they thought.
Crafting Scholars works with students in 6th grade through college on specific course content, note taking skills, study skills, organizational skills, executive functioning, and more. Reserve your child’s spot today and get them on track for a more successful start to the school year.