The summer holidays are almost over and for many parents, the feeling is mixed at this time of the year.

For one thing, there is that feeling of relief from having to go everywhere with the kids and just having to figure out what to do with your kids when you

No matter how you feel about back-to-school, your kids would have to resume once it’s time and you’ll have to prepare them to get the best out of the new school year.

Whether your child is resuming school for the first time - kindergarten - or as a new grader, they’ll do better in the school year when you prepare their minds for what is to come.

The tips I’m about to share with you will help your family make a smooth transition back to school and get your child ready to face the joys and challenges of a new school year if you can implement them.

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How to help your child get ready for back-to-school

1.     Talk your child through what they can look forward to when school begins

You’ll help your child ease some of their concerns about their new class or new school if you talk them through some of the things to expect weeks before resumption.

You may start by asking your child what they look forward to about school and what they are concerned about most.

As little as concerns about where the toilets are located in their new school could bother a child.

Even if some of their concerns appear silly to you, give them a listening ear and assure them that they can always come to you for help.

Also, ask your child how they think they might handle some of their concerns if it does come to pass.

Your goal is to help your child discover their own inner resources as they are assured that they have access to outer resources that will be easily available to help them.

See Also: How to apologize to your child with love

2.     Visit the school or classroom before the first day

Kids who are already familiar with their new school environment before resumption day will likely find it more exciting than those who do not.

By visiting the school with your kid a few weeks before resumption, you’ll help them alleviate some of their fears about what to expect in their new school.

It would be great if you could arrange a visit to the school with your child and show them around their new classroom, the playground, and even the staff room if you have access to it.

The more your child sees of the school, the more they’ll bond with it and the less they’ll fret with fear of the unknown on the first day.

See Also: How to identify a right school for your child.

3.     Make sure your child is familiar with the teacher

Similar to getting your child to know what their school environment looks like, it would work wonders if you can get to meet their new teacher before the first day back to school.

Schedule a visit to the school during the holidays to meet the new teacher and tell them about yourself and your child and be open to them if you want them to know anything about your child.

This will help them develop a special interest in your child when they resume school.

Tell your child interesting things about the new teacher and make them get excited about meeting them too. Let them know that Mr. /Mrs. (teacher) is looking forward to seeing them when they resume.

4.     Get back to an early-to-bed schedule

During the holiday, it’s likely your child has developed the habit of sleeping late into the night and waking up later in the morning. Now that schools are about to open, it’s time to get back to the early-to-bed schedule.

Don’t wait until the night before, get back to routine a few weeks before resumption.

Children need 9-11 hours of sleep depending on their physiology. So, if your child sleeps late and wakes early for school, it may backfire somehow.

Make sure that at 9 pm, your kids are deep into sleep and are fully rested and able to wake by themselves at 6 am.

5.     Prepare your kids’ brains for school (Read books about starting school if they are entering kindergarten).

You don’t have to wait until the first day back to school before you start preparing your child mentally for what’s to come.

If your kids are starting school for the first time, then, a few weeks to resumption, start reading together at home.

See also: How to help your child become a good reader

Let them know they’ll come home with homework every day and meet with many new kids in school. Also, get them their recommended textbooks and start learning together.

These will not only make them mentally alert and ready for school work, but help them get excited about going to school and making your job easier.

6.     Do back-to-school shopping together

Getting to do back to back – to – school shopping with your child for their school outfit, backpack and other school items makes preparing for the school year an exciting ritual.

By getting involved in activities like sharpening their pencils, labelling their books and other belongings, they’ll feel more involved in the process, and excited to go back with their smart kit!

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