Back-to-school season can be exciting, but let\u2019s be honest, it\u2019s 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\u2019re not alone. We\u2019ve put together a few simple, supportive ideas to help them feel more prepared, confident, and maybe even a little excited about what\u2019s ahead.<\/p>\n
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\u2019ll be in, it can be helpful to encourage some early connections with future classmates. They might even make a new friend before school starts.<\/p>\n
This one\u2019s a tough one for everyone, but getting back into a school-year schedule is so important. If you\u2019ve got older kids, encourage them to start going to bed a little earlier each night until they\u2019re 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\u2019re old enough, have them set their own to start building the habit).<\/p>\n
Take a little time to check in with your kids about how they\u2019re feeling heading into the new school year. Every year brings new changes, including new teachers, classmates and routines, so it\u2019s totally normal if they\u2019re 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\u2019re there to listen makes all the difference.<\/p>\n
If your kids\u2019 school has after-school activities or clubs, encourage them to explore and pick ones they\u2019re interested in. It\u2019s a great way for them to have fun and maybe even hang out with friends, especially if they\u2019re not in the same class this year.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Encourage your younger kids to make a picture or write a welcome note to their new teacher.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s First Day of School.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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