Written by Julie Altman, Principal

Before you know it, school will be back in session, which means it’s time to start thinking about routines and schedules. Having routines in place will increase the chance that your family will be able to start the new school year on a bright and less stressed out note. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Get back into your sleep routine. To help eliminate those stressful school mornings, set up a regular bedtime and morning time routine to prepare your child for school. Begin your usual school sleep routine at least a week or two before school starts.
• Talk to your doctor about medications. If you have taken your child off medication for the summer, talk with your doctor now about getting him/her back on those medications so they have time to kick in before school begins.
• Shop for school supplies together. To get your child excited about starting a new school year, shop for supplies together. Allow them to pick out their own backpack, lunchbox, etc. This is a great way to give them a bit of responsibility too!
• Re-establish school routines. Have your child practice getting back into the rhythm of their daily school routine. You can do this by having them wake up at the same time every day, and eat around the same time they would eat at school. About a week before school begins, plan a few outside activities where your child will have to leave and come home around the same time they would if they were in school. This will help them be rested and ready for the big day!
• Set up a homework station. Sit down with your child and designate a time and place where s/he can do homework each day. This can be somewhere quiet like their bedroom, family room or even the kitchen table while you’re preparing dinner. Make sure there is good lighting, plenty of paper, pencils/pens, scissors and glue, so your child has all the supplies they will need.
• Turn off the TV/video games. For a lot of children summer time is filled with endless hours of TV and video games daily. Children are usually in shock when they begin school and realize that six-seven hours of their day is going to spent learning and not playing games or watching TV. Ease your child into the learning process by turning off the electronics and encouraging them to read or play board games.

With a little preparation, you can ensure that your child will have a smooth transition to the start of the new school year. By doing a few things to get ready you and your child can enjoy the rest of your summer break! See you in August!