The Ultimate Guide to Back to School Routines

The new school year is about to begin, and it can be challenging for families to switch gears from summer vacation patterns. However, with planning and practice, parents can help their children feel ready to learn, play, and socialize with their peers in no time. Below, we discuss practical ways parents can prepare kids for the new school year.

How to Prepare for the New School Year 

Set a Daily Routine 

As summer vacation comes to a close, getting back on track for the fall school year will help your child adjust to their new schedule. One of the most important routines to reset is their bedtime pattern. Children need an adequate amount of sleep for their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. 

Parents can also set expectations around a morning routine. This includes making sure children wake up at a certain time, get dressed, and eat a healthy breakfast. A good tip for parents is to lay clothes out the night before and to make meals ahead of time that can be reheated for breakfast to make it easier for everyone.  

Keep a Positive Attitude 

Going back to school can lead to big feelings for both kids and parents, which is completely normal. However, staying calm, positive, and reassuring helps children regulate their own emotions. It’s also important to acknowledge their feelings so they can feel validated and then overcome those strong emotions. This can help elevate their confidence and prevent behavioral problems at school and at home.

Read Books

Practice making a habit of reading as much as you can with your child during the summer. This will help reinforce skills that they learned during the previous school year and prepare them for upcoming lessons. Visit your local library and make it a fun outing to pick out new books to read together. 

Pack Healthy Lunches & Snacks

Nutritious meals will help your little one develop normally, maintain a healthy body weight, have a stronger immune system, and think more clearly. Depending on their age, you can ask your child to help you pack lunch and snacks for each school day so they can feel in control and involved. A healthy diet should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy and lean proteins, and healthy fats like mixed nuts (excluding allergies). 

Find Time to Play

Playing is necessary for kids to develop mentally, emotionally, and physically. It’s how they explore their environment, build relationships with their peers, and learn social dynamics. Taking time out of the day or evening to play with your children will also strengthen your bond and help them feel secure.

Talk to Your Child’s Teacher

Before school begins, discuss your child’s school activities with their teacher so you can replicate that schedule at home. This includes nap time, eating schedules, play time, and learning. You can also teach daily responsibilities at school like putting away their backpacks, listening to their teachers, following proper hygiene, and eating their designated lunches and snacks. Even if they start doing these tasks a few days before school starts, this can ease the transition process. 

Caregivers and teachers are also well-experienced and trained to handle transitioning children back to a school year routine and can provide helpful suggestions. For example, if you give them a heads up that your child feels anxious, their teacher can find ways to distract them when you arrive in the morning to place them at ease.

Enroll Your Child at Ducklings Early Learning Center

If you’re searching for a high-quality daycare near Philadelphia, turn to Ducklings Early Learning Center. Children can look forward to fun, themed enrichment activities, plentiful outdoor playtime, and socialization with their peers. Our well-trained teachers encourage children to explore the world around them with a focus on mind, body, heart, and family. Families can feel confident that students are engaged in an age-appropriate daycare curriculum in a safe, compassionate environment. 
For more information on specific childcare center locations, visit our Locations page or get in touch with our office.