Over the summer children often develop different schedules - staying up late,
sleeping in and eating at various times.
As summer comes to a close it's time to start
thinking about getting the kids back into a school routine. The following tips may
be helpful as you prepare your children to go back to school:
- Revert back to their old bedtime. Ease the transition into school time hours
by starting the countdown about one to two
weeks before school begins. Get the kids
back into their daily routine by reverting to
their old bedtime, or perhaps creating a
new one depending on the developmental
age of your child.
- Dust the cobwebs from the alarm clock and
begin getting the children up about 15
minutes earlier every couple of days until
they are up at the required time for school.
You know your child's habits in the morning,
so guide the "wake-up" time accordingly.
Some children will need more time in
the morning than others.
- Breakfast is the most important meal of the
day. Over the summer when children may
be sleeping in a little later, sometimes that
first meal gets lost into brunch or even
lunch. Try to re-establish a regular routine
of whatever is appropriate in your home
for a healthy breakfast.
- About one week before school starts do a
"dry-run". Get the kids up early, and go
through a morning routine as if they had
school that day. Walk the children to school
for the regular start time, and then spend
some time at the school. The kids may want
to play on the playground, or you could
prepare a snack to share together on the
grounds. This is a good time to reinforce
routes and safety precautions they need to
take when walking to and from school.
- Talk to your children about things that they
are looking forward to when they start back
to school. You can even write up a list, or
have them create a picture of an activity they
will soon be able to enjoy.
- Remember that children model what they
see in their parents. If a parent is anxious or
worried, their child can become anxious or
worried as well. If a parent is positive and
encouraging about the start of a new school
year, then their child is also likely to view it
with excitement.
Please contact your school if you
have any questions regarding the start of
the new school year.
Last Updated: August 8, 2008 |
