Get Ready for Back to School: Tips for a Smooth Transition

The summer break will be over before you know it, and your kids will be headed back to school. If you haven’t started getting ready yet, don’t worry; there’s still time. Following these tips will help ease the transition, ensuring that everyone in your family has an easier time of it going forward.

1) Label your child’s backpack

A label with your child’s name on it is essential for when they misplace their backpack or if it gets lost. You can find labels with your child’s name and contact information at most office supply or big box stores. Stick the label on the inside of the backpack so it’s not visible and won’t get ripped off. Write down your child's locker number and combination, as well as any emergency phone numbers in case you need to reach them. Make sure your child has all of his supplies from last year, including pencils, notebooks, folders and paper. And don't forget to pack snacks!

2) Pick out their outfit the night before

It can be as simple as picking out their outfit the night before and having them lay it out on their bed. This way, when they wake up in the morning, they can just get dressed and be on their way. Picking out an outfit the night before can also help avoid those dreaded mornings when your child says they have nothing to wear. Whether it’s shoes, pencils, notebooks or something else – having those essentials ready will make getting out of bed in time much easier.

3) Pack their lunch box the night before

A packed lunch is a must on busy school days. By packing your child's lunchbox the night before, you can save time and ensure that they have a healthy meal to fuel their day. Plus, it's one less thing to worry about in the morning! Here are some tips for packing a nutritious and delicious lunchbox:

1. Choose sandwich-style lunches over pasta or rice dishes. Sandwiches are easier as they don’t have to be warmed up.
2. Give your kids fun options like pepperoni pizza sandwiches, turkey wraps with lettuce or spinach leaves, or ham and cheese rolls .
3. Always include at least one vegetable side dish like carrot sticks or celery.
4. Add two pieces of fruit - this should be something the child will enjoy eating, such as an apple or strawberries.
5. Include water, milk, 100% juice, yogurt, pudding cups, or other non-dairy milk alternatives.
6. Bring extras! Just in case the kids have a bigger appetite that day, pack a backup sandwich or include other snacks.
7. Always include some source of protein in their lunches - nuts, cheese sticks, meat, or peanut butter and crackers. Be sure to pack water bottles or juice boxes in case the school doesn't provide enough. And finally, always pack dessert - even if it's just graham crackers and chocolate bars! We hope these tips help make going back to school a little easier.

4) Keep your child awake until dinnertime

It can be tempting to let your child stay up late and sleep in the morning, but this will only make it harder for them to adjust to an earlier bedtime when school starts. Instead, gradually start pushing their bedtime earlier by 15-30 minutes each night until they are going to bed at their regular school-night time. Keep track of what time they usually go to bed on weekdays and weekends, so you know how much extra time they need on nights before school days.

Work on naps together, too. Some kids are able to go from sleeping 9 hours at night to only 6 hours during the day, but most will need a longer nap than they used to take. Make sure your child gets that extra sleep by keeping them up until dinnertime, then allowing them 15-30 minutes in their crib or bed with some soothing music before you pick them up and cuddle them until they fall asleep. If your child wakes up after 30 minutes, allow them another half hour of rest before waking them up again. The next day, if they’re still tired after their nap, try giving them a 30-minute power nap instead of one full hour. Once they're adjusted to this new schedule, it'll be easier for them to fall asleep when they need to.

5) Help them practice using their new supplies

Before school starts, help your child get used to their new supplies. Let them use them around the house for various activities. This will help them get comfortable with them and feel more confident when they start using them in school. Additionally, it will give you a chance to see if there are any issues that need to be addressed, such as the fit of their backpack or difficulty using certain types of pens or pencils. If there is an issue, don't wait until after school has started! Address it now so that everyone can have a smooth transition into the new year.

6) Plan some rewards

It's important to have some sort of reward system in place to help motivate your kids to do their best in school. A good way to do this is to have a weekly or monthly reward system in place. For example, you could give them a small prize for getting all A's on their report card, or taking care of their responsibilities at home. This will help them feel appreciated and encourage them to keep up the good work. It's also important to make sure they know that you're proud of them!

7) Pack a Fun Water Bottle

Packing your child's favorite water bottle isn't only fun, but it also keeps them hydrated. There are tons of adorable water bottles out there, and it doesn't have to be anything extravagant. Find one that fits your child's personality, like one that has their favorite cartoon character on it or one that makes them feel more confident by having their name on it. Your child will love drinking from something that is not only fun but also makes them feel good about themselves. They will appreciate you even more when they can find their water bottle in the back pack with ease.

8) Buy an extra pencil case or ruler if you need to

As the summer winds down and September approaches, it's time to start thinking about back-to-school shopping. If your child is attending school in person, you'll need to stock up on supplies like notebooks, pencils, and crayons. You might also want to buy an extra pencil case or ruler, just in case your child loses theirs. Some of our favorite places to buy new pencils or rulers are Target, Walmart, or Amazon!

9) Give yourself time!

You may have been looking forward to the kids going back to school so you could have some time to yourself, but don't forget that they need time to adjust as well. Ease them into it by starting with shorter days or mornings only a few days before school actually starts. Let them choose their own backpack and school supplies- they'll be more likely to use them if they're things they picked out themselves.

10) Make it exciting and memorable by making it part of your family traditions.

Starting back to school can be memorable and exciting. Make it fun by starting your own family traditions and involve the kids in planning and creating their own goals for the year. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite activities that will help make going back to school more fun. We also included some ideas for dinner, snacks, and craft ideas you can try with your children before they head off on their first day.

1. Have each child bring out an old folder from when they were in kindergarten or preschool; go through all the drawings, letters, or projects together as a family so everyone has time to reminisce about their younger years.
2. Start a tradition of doing something new every year, like trying new foods or visiting new places. Pick up trinkets from your travels to give as gifts for good grades at the end of the semester.
3. Take a photo to commemorate the start of another school year.
4. Have your child write a letter to themselves summarizing what went well last year and what didn't go well. What do they want to change this coming year?
5. Help them to get rid of homework stress, such as taking 10-minute breaks outside or playing a fun game.
6. Visit museums or art galleries together!
7. Play I Spy games together with items around the house!
8. Bake cookies in different shapes, sizes, and colors. These are always popular among classmates who come over for playdates!
9. Have each child fill a box with their favorite things and decorate them to be displayed at home.
10. Try a new recipe that's easy enough for kids to help prepare. Some favorites include making pizzas, muffins, pancakes, banana bread, and cinnamon rolls. You can even have the kids pick out recipes online and print them out. Add some fun toppings to these treats to make them even more exciting!

We hope these ideas help make getting ready for school a little less stressful. Remember to enjoy each moment with your kids while they're still young because soon enough they'll be heading off into the world as independent adults!

Contact Touch of Europe

Itching to start this semester off on the right foot? You'll want your home to be well maintained! Touch of Europe can take care of your residential cleaning needs. Call us today at 608-886-4535 or visit us online to learn more about how we take care of apartments and houses across Madison, Wisconsin including Monona, Middleton, Stoughton, McFarland, Waunakee, Windsor and Sun Prairie.