September is Almost Here! Back-to-School Tips

Come September, the carefree days of summers are replaced with regimented school days and disciplined evenings spent doing homework. Here are some quick tips – both practical and psychological – to help pave the way for a smoother transition into the new school year.

The Whole Family is Involved in Preparing for School

It may be children who attend classes, but all family members are impacted by school routines and changing schedules. Some students and families anticipate school positively and with enthusiasm, while for others, it signals an unwelcome return to academics and a predictable Monday-Friday structure. Either way, being prepared for the change helps!

Practical Preparation

• At the practical level, prepare for the first day of school by taking the following actions:
  Procure appropriate “school clothes”, including a pair of “indoor shoes” for students in the primary grades.
• Buy school supplies in advance. School teachers surveyed established a list of the top 15 supplies children need – see inset.
• Ensure that your emergency contacts are known and readily accessible to your child, the school, baby-sitters or after-school programs, etc.
• For younger children, identify and practice age-appropriate safety procedures to manage traffic, strangers, school buses, after-school activities and so on.
• Establish bedtime and morning routines a week or so in advance of the start of school, so that sleep schedules and wake up times are in line with the school timetable.
• For children under 12, organize before and after-school care so that as a working parent you can rest assured that your children are safe and well-cared for.
• Strategize and develop “back up plans” for days when your child is sick, or there’s a “storm day”, so that emergencies don’t catch you off guard.

Psychological Preparation

On an emotional level, supporting and encouraging your child as they head off to school is important. For children who love being at school this is not generally a problem, but for those who struggle with either the social or academic aspects of attending school, some thought and planning is required. Some ways to make the prospect of going to school more inviting are:

• Talk positively about the school process and your child’s relationship with school, so that you set a tone of anticipated success; if your child counters your optimism with negative expectations, listen closely and attentively to what is being said, and look for strategies to address these potential problems proactively.
• Younger children often benefit from visiting their classroom before classes start and holding a “dress rehearsal” for school routines. Even university age children appreciate having time to settle into their campus life ahead of time as a means of reducing the anxiety associated with being “the new kid on the block”.
• Most of us find it easier to do things with a “buddy”. If your child has no siblings attending their school, linking up with someone else who is in the same class can reduce the first day jitters.

Check out the following websites for more information:
www.parenting-child-development.com
www.kidshealth.org
www.growinghealthykids.com

Top 15 School Supplies Needed

• Pencils
• Colour Markers
• Scissors
• Math Kits
• Calculators
• Notebooks
• Binders
• Pencil Crayons
• White Erasers
• Rulers
• Glue Sticks
• Highlighters
• Lined Paper
• Folders
• Backpacks

Healthy Lunch Options To Add to Your Grocery List

• Low Fat Milk
• Low Fat Yogurt
• Low Fat Cheese
• String Cheese
• Dried Fruit
• Low sugar jams
• Veggies
• Rice Cakes
• Chopped Fruit
• Fruit to Go

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Silverberg Group specializes in employee benefits consulting for companies of all sizes, and is Alberta owned & operated. From employee benefits programs to executive packages, we translate industry information into innovative options and solutions that best suit your organizational goals. Since 1996, over 800 clients have put their confidence in our industry expertise and our exceptional service. Let us become part of your company’s human resources team.