Introduction to Back-to-School Season
Back-to-school season can be exciting, but let’s be honest, it’s not always easy for every kid. After a summer of fun and flexibility, jumping back into early mornings and new routines can feel like a lot. If your child is feeling a little nervous or down about the new year, you’re not alone. We’ve put together a few simple, supportive ideas to help them feel more prepared, confident, and maybe even a little excited about what’s ahead.
Host a Playdate
Summer often means kids spend time away from their school friends, and that can make going back feel a little harder. If your child seems a bit nervous about the new year, try setting up a playdate or a fun outing with familiar friends to help ease them back in. And if you already know which class they’ll be in, it can be helpful to encourage some early connections with future classmates. They might even make a new friend before school starts.
Get Back to Your Routine
This one’s a tough one for everyone, but getting back into a school-year schedule is so important. If you’ve got older kids, encourage them to start going to bed a little earlier each night until they’re back to their usual bedtime. The same goes for mornings, and gradually waking up earlier can make those first few school days way less painful. Alarms can definitely help (and if they’re old enough, have them set their own to start building the habit).
Talk it Out
Take a little time to check in with your kids about how they’re feeling heading into the new school year. Every year brings new changes, including new teachers, classmates and routines, so it’s totally normal if they’re feeling a mix of emotions. Starting things off with a simple conversation can help them open up and feel more comfortable coming to you with anything that pops up during the year. Sometimes just knowing you’re there to listen makes all the difference.
Pick Out Some After-School Activities Together
If your kids’ school has after-school activities or clubs, encourage them to explore and pick ones they’re interested in. It’s a great way for them to have fun and maybe even hang out with friends, especially if they’re not in the same class this year.
Go Back-to-School Shopping Together
Get your kids in on the back-to-school excitement by shopping together. Print out their supply list and let them cross off the essentials as you go. It makes the whole process way more fun and helps them feel ready for the year ahead.
Plan a First Day of School Outfit
Get the kids involved to pick out and plan their first day of school look. This can be a fun way for younger kids to express themselves.
Make Their New Teacher Something
Encourage your younger kids to make a picture or write a welcome note to their new teacher.
Do Something Fun for the End of Summer
An end-of-summer adventure can be a great way to spend time together and say goodbye to summer. Check out the New York City, Long Island or Westchester summer bucket lists for ideas.
Read
A fun way to help your child get ready for the school year is by reading some back-to-school books together. Hearing about other kids who might feel a little nervous, too, can help them feel seen, and maybe even start to open up about their own feelings. Some favorites include The Day You Begin, Our Class is a Family, and First Day Jitters for elementary school-aged children. For teens, check out Teen Girl’s Survival Guide: How to Make Friends, Build Confidence, Avoid Peer Pressure, Overcome Challenges, Prepare for Your Future, and Just About Everything in Between and Essential Life Skills For Teens.
More Books to Help the Back-to-School Blues
One of the ways we love to prepare our little ones for a new school year is by adding some books to our home libraries specific to heading back to school, starting school, and starting a new school with all new friends. Here are some books that can help your kids beat those back-to-school blues.
Recommended Books
- Lola Goes to School (Lola Reads) by Anna McQuinn: Ages 2-4. A comforting and cheerful picture book perfect for preschoolers and kindergarteners.
- Llama Llama Back to School by Anna Dewdney: Ages 2-5. A great read for kids starting preschool or kindergarten, and it even includes tear-out lunchbox notes to give them a little extra confidence.
- Time for School, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff: Ages 2-4. A fun story that introduces kids to new words and celebrates the excitement of going to school.
- Butterflies on the First Day of School by Annie Silvestro: Ages 2-6. A great read for parents who want to help their kids make sense of all the feelings that come with those first-day jitters.
- Mae’s First Day of School: A Picture Book by Kate Berube: Ages 2-7. A great book for kids starting preschool or kindergarten, and it even includes tear-out lunchbox notes to give them a little extra confidence.
Conclusion
Back-to-school season can be a challenging time for kids, but with a little preparation and support, they can feel more confident and excited about the new year. By hosting playdates, getting back into routines, talking it out, and reading back-to-school books together, you can help your child feel more prepared and enthusiastic about the year ahead.
FAQs
Q: What are some ways to help my child feel more prepared for the new school year?
A: Some ways to help your child feel more prepared include hosting playdates, getting back into routines, talking it out, and reading back-to-school books together.
Q: What are some recommended books for back-to-school?
A: Some recommended books include The Day You Begin, Our Class is a Family, First Day Jitters, Lola Goes to School, Llama Llama Back to School, Time for School, Mouse!, Butterflies on the First Day of School, and Mae’s First Day of School.
Q: How can I help my child make a smooth transition to a new school or classroom?
A: You can help your child make a smooth transition by talking to them about their feelings, encouraging them to ask questions, and helping them get familiar with the new school or classroom.
Q: What are some fun activities to do with my child before the school year starts?
A: Some fun activities to do with your child before the school year starts include going back-to-school shopping, planning a first day of school outfit, and doing something fun for the end of summer.
