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Tips for Easier Back to School Transition

August 13, 2015

After a summer filled with fun and sun, back to school can be tough for kids and parents alike. With a little planning, the transition can be a little easier. Here’s some helpful tips for a smooth transition into fall.

1. Re-establish bedtime and mealtime routines: Bedtime is probably the biggest transition your family needs to make to get back in the routine of the school season. But it may take several weeks to reset your student's internal clock to the school schedule. Gradual transitioning allows your child to get adequate sleep at the beginning of the school year and will reduce some bedtime battles.  Most elementary school students need 10 to 11 hours of sleep, while most teenagers need 8 to 9 hours of sleep nightly. Inadequate sleep leads to irritability, impaired focus, and can heighten symptoms of ADD/ADHD, if that is a concern for your family.  Begin the transition by setting up a 30-minute routine of pre-bedtime activities. Use a checklist to help your child take ownership of her routine. A good pre-bedtime routine helps a child slow down and prepare for sleep.
2. Set the screen rules: Once homework and chores are out of the way, the decks are clear for downtime — and chances are your little ones are angling for a little one-on-one time with the TV or computer. But remember, when it comes to screen time, less is usually more. Limiting your little one to 30 minutes or an hour of video games or kid-friendly shows lets her wind down, but still allows time for outdoor activities and playing with friends. Even smarter: Have kids earn screen time by reading. Thirty minutes with a book can translate to 30 minutes of video games after dinner.
3. Designate a homework spot:. For older kids, homework is often the dreaded necessity of the after-school routine. Whether your child needs a break first or does best taking on homework pronto, a spot to work makes it easier to focus. No room for a kid-sized desk? Simply clear the kitchen table and pull out a portable basket of supplies, including pencils, pens, rulers, scissors, and crayons. For homework-phobes, set a timer for 20 minutes, then allow a five-minute play break to keep her motivated
4. Make lunches the night before: Get as much together the night before, so your morning routine will go more smoothly. One of the best ways to keep you and your kids in tip-top learning shape is with healthy food. Sometimes we fall back into bad habits or routines during the school year, since mornings are a little more hectic. Prepare in advance! Take some time Sunday night to cut up fruits and veggies for lunches and pack them in baggies or containers in the right portions. This saves you from having to rush every morning to get carrot sticks or cucumbers cut up.  Keep the kids involved. Ask them to help pack their own lunches! By giving some simple options (such as grapes or strawberries), you might find them eating everything as opposed to bringing uneaten vegetables home. Research has suggested the when children are active in meal planning and preparation, they are often more likely to eat what is served.
5. Lay out clothes the night before:  Have clothes laid out the night before so kids can just get in their clothes before they even come down stairs to breakfast.  One more thing you can check off your to-do list in the morning.

The end of summer is a little sad, but most of us need a little more structure in our lives. Plus, there’s football and cooler weather to look forward to!