Before The Bell

START PREPARING NOW FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION FROM SUMMER TO SCHOOL

By Mimi Greenwood Knight

I remember being six years old and a neighborhood kid explaining to me that summer was only three months long. In my young mind, we went to school for a year, then had a year to play and enjoy summer freedom. It was not welcome news. Summer break today is even shorter, averaging only two and a half months. Don’t look now, but it’s time to make the transition from lazy summer days to school routine. Here are some ideas for making that adjustment smooth — and even pleasant.

VISIT THE SCHOOL

Whether your child is returning to a familiar school or starting a new one, ring up and see if there’s a time you and your child can pop over and stroll around a bit. Visit the building where they’ll be having class, the cafeteria where they’ll eat lunch, the playground, gym, computer lab, etc., and give them a chance to ask questions. Becoming familiar or reacquainted with these spaces can relieve some of the stress of that first day.

ADOPT YOUR SCHOOL ROUTINE EARLY

Give your kids — and yourself — a week or two to adjust to earlier bedtimes and mornings. Reinstate evening bath routines and start waking up earlier a couple of weeks before schoolis scheduled to begin. That way, you’ll all be adjusted by the time the first day of class arrives. For very young kids, you can even have them practice eating lunch from a lunchbox.

MODEL POSITIVITY

In this and all things, your child takes their cue from you. Give them ample opportunity to talk about how they’re feeling about heading back to school and remind them of the fun aspects, such as reconnecting withfriends. Talk about the things they like, such as art, music, or gym. For very young kids, talk them through what an average day will look like. Above all, keep your words and your mood positive. Let them know you expect this to be an amazing school year.

CLEAR THE FAMILY SCHEDULE

As much as possible, simplify your evenings and weekends, especially during the first couple of weeks of school. Kids often come home exhausted those first few days and will need plenty of downtime to rest.

ESTABLISH A HOMEWORK STATION

A good homework routine can make even reluctant students more compliant. They need to know the ground rules, and the rules need to stay consistent. (No technology until homework is complete is a good one.) And they need a nice, uncluttered homework station on which to work.

PREPARE FOR THE MORNING THE NIGHT BEFORE

My goal was to give my children a peaceful morning before sending them off to school each day. For me, it was worth spending an extra half hour at night planning breakfast, setting backpacks by the door, laying out their clothes, packing lunches, etc., to avoid a frantic start to the day.

Lastly, extend grace to your kids and yourself. Transitions are difficult, and this one probably won’t be perfect. But before you know it, you’ll be back in your school-time routine and on your way to enjoying a great year.