Back to School Prep for Families!

Hey families! it's time to go back to school. It’s weird to think about, though, right? It seems so early, but I bet some parents have been ready to send their kids back for a while. However, going back to school can be an exciting time for some and a hard time for others. Let’s talk about how parents can help their kids have a transition back to school that’s as smooth as possible!

Start Preparing Early

Summer is a time of freedom- for kids, anyway. Throughout the school year, kids have highly structured schedules, so when summer comes around, they can view it as the opportunity to really let loose and have no schedule. Getting back into a schedule for a new school year can be tough, so practicing beforehand can really help. This doesn’t mean that they should get up at 7:00 every morning. However, think about your child’s school year routine and consider starting some of those routines. Was bedtime at 9:00? Consider working to that- perhaps 10:00, then 9:30, then 9:00. Did they have to get up at 7:00 in the morning? Consider starting at 9:00 (though to some parents, that may already be too late). It’s important to note that going from one extreme to the other can be difficult, so changing that summer routine in small steps can help.

Get to Know Your New Teacher

Your new teacher is going to be spending a lot of time with your kids in the next school year. It may come as no surprise that they are going to see a different side of your kid, one that you might not see at home. Get to know them so you can work together with your teacher to help ensure your kid has the best school year possible. Also, it may help to learn how the school’s grading system works! If grades are posted online, learn how that system works. I have seen many parents get upset because the online grade book shows a lower grade, but it may be a case where the teacher has not put all of the grades in. This can be useful in helping to avoid arguments with your kid, by being patient with the online grading systems. Also, how does your teacher distribute homework to the students? Is it online? Do they give it to the students physically? Is there even any homework? Getting to know your teacher is extremely beneficial, as your kid may not be the most reliable source of information for this question.

Develop Your Routine

A lot of families I have worked with have told me that after school is hard for them. Your kid is going from a highly-structured environment to a lowly-structured one, which is understandable. Their home environment isn’t expected to be as rigid as school. However, having some routine and structure at home can help things go smoothly for both them and you. It’s easier for kids when they know what to expect. What does homework look like at home? Where do your kids do it? When do they do it? Answering these questions can be helpful to ensure the expectations are clear, and all of their work is being properly completed!

Look at Your Goals and Obstacles

A lot of times, families butt their heads against the same obstacles. They know what their goals are for their kids, which can be as simple as “I want my kid to get good grades this year.” Yet, they keep running into the same obstacles and can’t quite figure out how to get around those obstacles. Try this instead: ask “how?” and “what?” instead of “why?”. Instead of asking your kid “Why didn’t you turn in your homework?” ask this: “What got in your way? What happened? How can we get around this next time?”. Using less general questions can be helpful, and asking “what” and “how” questions can help you get specific, in order to best resolve the issue!

Good luck in this next school year to all the kids and parents! If you feel like your family needs some extra help with this, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We would love to work with your family to help make this year a successful one!