As the days begin to get shorter and back to school sales start popping up in stores and online, parents, children, and teachers all feel the nerves and excitement of returning to the classroom. For families with children of any age it’s important to strike the right balance between preserving the freedom and creativity summer provides, while also getting ready to head back to school. 

The most brooding teenager might be wondering the same things as a wide-eyed kindergartener.  Will I have or make new friends? Will my teachers be nice? Who will I eat lunch with every day? Can I keep up with my schoolwork and homework? How will I manage to thrive academically and socially in a changing world with a multitude of problems without holding my parents’ hands? Okay, that last one might be what the adults are thinking about. Here are some important things to keep in mind during this last week of summer:

1. Acknowledge and validate your child’s worries about the upcoming school year.

It’s easy to want to tell your children that everything will be fine and that they shouldn’t worry. Most of the time all that does is discourage your children from sharing their thoughts with you. Instead, when your child does bring up how they’re feeling, carefully listen. Acknowledge their concerns and help them strategize for how they will overcome them. This will help them feel more confident and ready to tackle any challenges. Remember to be patient, too! Your children might not be ready to express themselves right away but let them know you are there to listen whenever they need. 

2. Make sure your child is reading.

One way to alleviate academic worry for both you and your child is to start getting into the habit of reading every night. While every teacher hopes that kids do this all summer long, we know that between camp, staying up late, vacations, and time spent with family and friends, this often doesn’t happen. Don’t feel guilty! Instead, start getting into the habit now. This will help your child reclaim any skills they might have lost during the summer and will prepare them for the new grade ahead. Reading as a family, whether independently or with your child, can help children see that readers exist in the outside world, not just in the classroom. If your child is resistant, using a timer can be a great way to build their stamina and confidence. Starting with ten minutes a day and adding five minutes each day can help your child get ready for the sustained reading they will be required to do for school. 

3. Create hopes and goals for the year with your child.

New Year’s Eve isn’t the only time of year to make resolutions! The start of a new school year presents a great opportunity to think about goals. These can be social, like talking to someone new at lunch, behavioral, like setting up a designated homework time each night, or academic, like finally mastering a challenging math skill. Creating goals and putting them up somewhere in your home can help your child stay focused throughout the year. Setting your own goals for the year makes this a collaborative process and teaches children that we all are working to better ourselves all the time!

4. Set up routines - including an earlier bedtime!

Let’s face it, at this point in the summer, bedtime has gone out the window for most of us. Instead of waiting until the night before school to get to sleep earlier, slowly start implementing an earlier bedtime now. This help prepares your child’s body to get the rest they need for those early morning wake ups. 

Creating and discussing other routines can help set you up for success, as well. Talk about how you want mornings to go in your household. What is your child responsible for? What are you helping your child with? Delineating these roles now can help everyone feel prepared for the rush and make sure things don’t get forgotten. Setting aside places in your home for specific tasks can help as well. Is there an area where children should leave forms from school for you? Is there a time and place your child can do their homework? Making these decisions before the school year begins can help ease the transition. 

5. Continue the summer vibes

Most importantly, create opportunities for fun! Summer might be ending (or have already ended for some of you) but that doesn’t mean that the enjoyment should be over. Make sure your child still has time to play with friends, spend quality time with family, and just relax. The school year can be long and busy and building in this down time and summer-like feeling is essential to ensuring your child is able to focus and work hard when the time comes. 

Take a deep breath and remember that you’ve got this. There will be big days and big feelings ahead and that’s okay.

Remember, if school gets too overwhelming, BetterEd is here to help. You know your child, we know education. Sign up for a free 15 minute consultation below or contact us for more information.