Back to School: 5 tips to help your kids transition from summer to school

Since I have a new kindergartener this year I thought I’d come up with a list of tricks I used to help transition those late summer nights into early school days. It’s a known fact: KIDS NEED ROUTINES! Routines give kids a sense of security and help them develop self-discipline. These tips will help you ease back into the school year without a hiccup and will get your little one excited for school to start back up again.

1. Back-to-School shopping: When I was young (can’t believe I am saying this) we could pick out whatever fancy folders/school supplies we wanted. Yes there was a list but it was a little more relaxed. So as far as school supplies go, I shopped these on my own because the lists now are very specific. Lucky for me, my new kindergartener isn’t picky but I still wanted him to pick out his backpack and lunchbox. He loved looking at all the different patterns and I think this got him excited for bringing his own lunch. He ended up picking this backpack and this lunchbox. The bentgo box also fits in his new lunch bag.
2. Write little notes or add stickers to a note for when he goes to the cafeteria for the first time. This will help remind him that you’re thinking of him throughout the day!
3. Make bedtime fun: If my goal is to have the boys in bed by 8pm. I really try hard to start our routine by 7pm. I’ve found an hour is a good amount of time for all the things that need to happen… bath, books, tv, water refills, searching for blankets & stuffed animals. I do make sure that I have water by their beds and have located their “fav snuggle buddy” before 8pm so we’re not running around frantically looking for them.
4. Prepare the night before: Rushing around in the morning trying to pack backpacks, make lunches, and eat breakfast while heading out the door on time can create stress for the parent and kids. Do it the night before and it’s one less thing you have to worry about in the morning.
5. Read to them: This book is one of my favorites. It’s about a raccoon whose starting school and does not want to go. It truly helps with separation anxiety and makes your little one feel like you’re always with them. We will be reading this the night before the first day of school. This one is also a fan favorite at our house.

Back to school favorites: