Great back-to-school tips and strategies 

It’s that time again: Back to school! Students often have a difficult time getting back into their daily school routines. This is the perfect time to create back-to-school habits and strengthen routines to make your household less stressed. From creating a “Bus Stop” station for school belongings to organizing “homework play dates” to make homework more fun, here are some back-to-school tips to make your school year a success!

Back-to-School Habits

• Set and practice your child’s school bedtime routine.
• Plan a few family activities that require everyone to get up at the regular school time to help your child get in the habit of getting up early again.
• Prepare lunch and perhaps set out breakfast the night before.
• Limit caffeine and sugary snacks when it’s close to bedtime.
• Reduce excessive use of technology (television, non-educational computer games, cell phone, etc.) in the evenings, and replace these activities with reading time, computer research or educational games.
• Read (or listen) to your child as a bedtime ritual for at least 20 minutes each night.
• Create a “Back-to-School Chore Chart,” so your child will know what habits he or she needs to continue now that school responsibilities are once again in the mix! See the examples below:

Morning Responsibilities:

• Put on school clothes
• Brush hair
• Make the bed
• Eat breakfast
• Brush teeth
• Place school items (homework, projects, etc.) in the backpack
• Pack lunch and snack

After-school Responsibilities:

• Place items in the “Mom and Dad” mailbox
• Change clothes
• Place laundry in hamper
• Eat snack
• Enjoy playtime break
• Clean room
• Set table
• Complete homework
• Eat dinner
• Clear table
• Shower, brush teeth, and floss
• Set out clothes for next day
• Prep book bag for next day and place at the door
• Read for 20 minutes

Back-to-School “Homework Play Dates”

• Organize study and homework “play dates”or “study dates” with your child’s friends.
• Confirm who will be supervising.
• Create a schedule of start and finish times.
• Exchange contact information with the parents.
• Try to select friends within walking distance or close driving distance.
• Review the homework assignments, so you can better supervise completion.
• Create games with flashcards for the children to use.
• Provide tasty but healthy snacks.
• Keep the homework date limited to only a few children, but rotate locations so all parents will have their “turns.”
• Leave time for the homework date to turn into a “play date” after all homework is completed.
• Consider inviting parents, too!
• Share your child’s learning style with the supervising adults. Visit mychildsfuture.org/parents/item.htm?id=29&edlvl=1to learn more about learning styles.
• Describe your child’s study style and techniques. For example, does your child prefer studying with a lamp or a bright light? What about a soft chair or perhaps the floor? Research shows both good and bad effects of listening to music while studying, but don’t wait until the night before a test to see if this method works for your child. Visit emedexpert.com/tips/music.shtml to learn more about music and learning.

Back-to-School Organizational Tips

• Create a wall calendar and corkboard area to place important homework assignment, class schedules, appointments, school dates to remember, etc.
• Create a “Mom and Dad” mailbox in which your child can place papers each day.
• Create color-coded folders for class lists, medical information, school directories, field-trip information, etc., for each child.
• For less clutter, create boxes for storage of books, crayons, paper, etc.
• Create index cards for dinner ideas to keep your weekly meal planner manageable. Be sure to include “Make-Your-Own-Sandwich” Night!
• Confirm your emergency backup contact person and be ready to share this information with the school.
• Create a daily checklist for you and your child to make sure you have what you need before leaving home (soccer supplies, tennis shoes for P.E., etc.).
• Create a “Bus Stop” station for backpacks, umbrellas, jackets, rain boots, etc.
• Create a “Lunch Station” for both refrigerated and dry snacks for easy access before and after school.
• Create a “Homework Station” that aligns with your child’s learning style.
• Decorate and fill a basket, bin or even an old briefcase with school supplies, so the “Homework Station” will be well organized.