It’s the day you’ve waited for all summer long. After the past few jam-packed months of soccer practices, dance lessons, late night parties, complaints of boredom and little to no freedom for yourself throughout the day, you can finally have that day of peace because it’s time for the kids to go back to school.
Due to busy summer schedules, many families find that school just creeps up on them. But if you follow these guidelines, you won’t be the one who is scrambling to get the kids ready on the first day of school.
Get Organized
- Checkups and Immunizations: Talk to a pediatrician about getting your child’s immunizations or a physical exam to participate in school activities. This could save your child from many of the sicknesses that go around during the school year.
- Stock up on school supplies: Most elementary schools provide lists of necessary supplies for the school year. But make sure to buy extra items that your child is likely to misplace, like glue sticks and scissors.
- Choose a safe backpack: When choosing a backpack for your child, pick one with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. Also, your child’s backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of his or her body weight so pack light. More than 7,000 children were injured in 2008 due to overloaded backpacks according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Arrange Transportation
Bus safety: Riding the bus can be one of the most fun parts of a child’s day. But here are a few guidelines your child should follow concerning bus safety:
- Make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver.
- Always board and exit the bus at locations that provide safe access to the bus or to the school building.
- Do not play in the street while waiting for the bus.
Walking Safety: If you live really close to the school, your child may be required to walk to school. But before you send your child out on his own, follow these guidelines concerning walking safety:
- Make sure your child’s walk to school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
- If your child is younger or is starting a new school, walk with your child during the first week of school to ensure they know the route.
- Never allow your child to walk alone—make sure he or she always travels with a buddy. Try to find a child in your neighborhood to walk to school with your child.
- Bright colored or reflective clothing can increase visibility for drivers, thereby decreasing accidents.
Start a Routine
- Getting enough sleep: Children between the ages of 6 and 9 need about 10 hours of sleep each night. Preteens need a little over nine hours. Therefore, setting a regular sleep routine could improve your child’s sleep habits and schoolwork.
- Develop good homework and study habits: Children often do better in school when they have a permanent workspace in the home that offers privacy. It may also help to keep the TV off during homework time and to offer help whenever your child is struggling with a particular assignment.
Going back to school can be an exciting time for children and for parents. Kids get to see old friends, make new ones and fill their brains with knowledge while stay-at-home parents get afternoons free from disruption where they can
work on projects and catch up on housework. It’s a great time for everyone. – Chanae Landeen
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