Teacher Talk Tuesday
I know, I know, we do still have some summer left and yet it is time to think about going...
This is the perfect time to start the process of going back to school to ensure a smooth transition. Here are some simple things you can do at home to avoid any monstrous meltdowns in three weeks...
1. Bring back the routines! There are 3 main routines you can regulate once again to help your child at this time:
A- Bedtime routine... I know its still light outside but you can ease, very slowly, back into it if you start this early. Try just 10 minutes earlier at first or simply begin your routine of "winding down" earlier and make it last a bit longer with bedtime stories and snuggle time.
B- Morning routine... Start getting back into the swing of waking up and following a schedule. Most of us enjoy lounging throughout the morning during summer but once school us in session, its go-go-go. Begin encouraging a more structured schedule of events to ease back into a regulated morning routine.
C- Eating habits... We all know snacking in the summer time is a must! Most of the time, its completely appropriate because you are more active during the summer but guess what, in three weeks your child will have one, maybe two times during their 7 hour school day when they get to eat. This is a routine I even have to get myself used to once again and you truly wouldn't believe the effects this has on kids. Food = energy and the first few days of school will be tiring enough, make sure your child is fueled properly!
2. Stock up on back to school books! Most of the big name bookstores have a table featuring back to school books around this time, but you can also head to your local library. Begin reading these books very casually to spark conversation about the upcoming transition.
3. Go shopping!!! My mom took a day off from work every August to go Back to School shopping with me and I loved it! It was so exciting!! If your child is not a shopper, think of something they would like to purchase for the upcoming year and make sure they are along for the purchase. Whether it's a backpack, new lunch box, or even a fancy new calculator, having them around will help plant the seed even more that school is almost in session.
And now a note for the most precious of back to school children... the first timers.
I read a paragraph of back to school advice recently where it mentioned taking your child to the school to take a tour of the classroom and find out where the bathroom is. I'd like to make a rebuttal, and I know how hard this is for parents of little kindergarteners but hear me out. At this point in the year, if you were to bring a child to any given classroom in our building, the room would look nothing like it will on the first day of school. Creating a welcoming environment takes time and rooms are usually not totally complete until the first day of school or a "Back to School" night like my building has where you come and put your school supplies away. To make a long story short, your child will not get an accurate or even settling picture of their future school if you choose to make a visit at this time.
To give a little shout out to the kindergarten teachers out there, your child's teacher understands the anxiety you are feeling about the first day of school. While this may be your first, first day of school, your child's teacher goes through an average of 25 first days of school each year. They understand each child is different, and will need extra tender love and care, but that's what those first days in school are for. Your child be read to, sung to, hugged, and loved on that first day (and everyday for that matter) and everything will be okay. You'll be amazed at how quickly your child will pick up on school routines and make new friends. Be sure you know when your child's Meet the Teacher night is, or if your school has something similar and make a point to attend. This will help ease any lingering anxiety. Until then, ease into the new transition while also savoring these last days of summer!
Happy August everyone!!
This is the perfect time to start the process of going back to school to ensure a smooth transition. Here are some simple things you can do at home to avoid any monstrous meltdowns in three weeks...
1. Bring back the routines! There are 3 main routines you can regulate once again to help your child at this time:
A- Bedtime routine... I know its still light outside but you can ease, very slowly, back into it if you start this early. Try just 10 minutes earlier at first or simply begin your routine of "winding down" earlier and make it last a bit longer with bedtime stories and snuggle time.
B- Morning routine... Start getting back into the swing of waking up and following a schedule. Most of us enjoy lounging throughout the morning during summer but once school us in session, its go-go-go. Begin encouraging a more structured schedule of events to ease back into a regulated morning routine.
C- Eating habits... We all know snacking in the summer time is a must! Most of the time, its completely appropriate because you are more active during the summer but guess what, in three weeks your child will have one, maybe two times during their 7 hour school day when they get to eat. This is a routine I even have to get myself used to once again and you truly wouldn't believe the effects this has on kids. Food = energy and the first few days of school will be tiring enough, make sure your child is fueled properly!
2. Stock up on back to school books! Most of the big name bookstores have a table featuring back to school books around this time, but you can also head to your local library. Begin reading these books very casually to spark conversation about the upcoming transition.
3. Go shopping!!! My mom took a day off from work every August to go Back to School shopping with me and I loved it! It was so exciting!! If your child is not a shopper, think of something they would like to purchase for the upcoming year and make sure they are along for the purchase. Whether it's a backpack, new lunch box, or even a fancy new calculator, having them around will help plant the seed even more that school is almost in session.
And now a note for the most precious of back to school children... the first timers.
I read a paragraph of back to school advice recently where it mentioned taking your child to the school to take a tour of the classroom and find out where the bathroom is. I'd like to make a rebuttal, and I know how hard this is for parents of little kindergarteners but hear me out. At this point in the year, if you were to bring a child to any given classroom in our building, the room would look nothing like it will on the first day of school. Creating a welcoming environment takes time and rooms are usually not totally complete until the first day of school or a "Back to School" night like my building has where you come and put your school supplies away. To make a long story short, your child will not get an accurate or even settling picture of their future school if you choose to make a visit at this time.
To give a little shout out to the kindergarten teachers out there, your child's teacher understands the anxiety you are feeling about the first day of school. While this may be your first, first day of school, your child's teacher goes through an average of 25 first days of school each year. They understand each child is different, and will need extra tender love and care, but that's what those first days in school are for. Your child be read to, sung to, hugged, and loved on that first day (and everyday for that matter) and everything will be okay. You'll be amazed at how quickly your child will pick up on school routines and make new friends. Be sure you know when your child's Meet the Teacher night is, or if your school has something similar and make a point to attend. This will help ease any lingering anxiety. Until then, ease into the new transition while also savoring these last days of summer!
Happy August everyone!!
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