family fun
Back to School Season How to Prepare Your Crew By Jennifer Halter
I
t’s already time to start thinking about heading back to school. Whether your children will be returning to the classroom or learning virtually, it’s a good idea to start getting them back into routines now to help smooth the transition from those lazy summer days. Here are a few ideas you can implement to make things easier for everyone, all while still soaking up all the fun the last month of summer has to offer.
Set Up a Schedule
Whether you have one child or several, a schedule is essential to running a smooth household. Include your children in mapping out their schedules for the new school year. Set up a morning routine, which should include wake-up times, specific tasks (dressing, brushing teeth, making beds, etc.), a time for breakfast (if they eat at home), and a set time they need to leave the house, whether it’s to catch the bus, walk to school or hop in the car to be dropped off. Also, include specifics during their school day if you know them (highlight lunch and recess time — always favorites). Finally, discuss the afternoon routine, including homework, snack, etc., and continue through bedtime. Having a schedule in place, even if it’s a work in progress, will help your children start to think about what their days will look like in a few weeks. But don’t worry, you won’t have to start with the new schedule just yet. There are still vacation days to enjoy! However, you
18 |
August 2021 prince william living
may want to consider implementing earlier bedtimes and wake-up times a week or so before the first day of school. Make this a fun activity by letting your children design and decorate their schedules and display them in an area where they are visible on a daily basis.
Read a Little More
With the hustle and bustle of the last few months, reading books may not have been a top priority on your child’s daily to-do list. Set a goal to have your child read or you read to your child for at least 15 minutes each day over the next few weeks to help them get back into the habit.
