It may seem unlikely, but it is already that time of year for the back-to-school checklist. Parents and children likely just settled into a summer routine, and now it’s scrapped.
As challenging as a new school year is for parents, imagine what the little ones are going through. While there are inevitably similarities from one academic year to the next, children face more changes and challenges than their parents.
As a parent, you want to do everything possible to make the summer-to-September transition easier for your little ones. Discover the five ways you can support your little ones this school year.
1. Establish a Routine
Children thrive on routine. The best thing you can do for your kids is develop a healthy and reliable routine for the school year. The routine should include bedtime, meal times, homework time, and whatever else you find necessary.
Between the ages of 6 and 17, kids need between 8 and 12 hours of sleep every 24 hours. The younger a child is, the more rest they need. When figuring out a sleep-wake schedule, factor in bedtime routines, such as reading stories.
Homework times can vary, depending on each child. Some children prefer to complete homework tasks right after school when the material is still fresh in their minds. Other children may need a break in between. Consider setting aside homework time after dinner for children who need a break.
2. Set Up a Calendar of Important Dates
Your children cannot keep track of all important academic dates. Kids should maintain a planner or assignment tracker so they do not miss homework deadlines, but parents should track things like parent-teacher conferences.
Also, parents can keep a copy of their child’s planner to help them track assignments. For example, when kids get older, they may have research papers. Parents can help their children break down research projects over several weeks or days and keep track via their calendars.
3. Create a Meal Plan
One thing for the back-to-school checklist for parents is a meal planner. The academic year is busy for you and your kids. Balanced meals are crucial to maintaining energy and staying healthy. Creating a meal plan is vital to avoiding the fast food pitfall so many parents fall into.
Well-balanced meals are essential to your growing children. Still, it is sometimes hard to know if you include all the proper nutrients and essentials in your children’s school meals. Wellements Multivitamin Gummies can help ensure your little ones get all the essential vitamins and minerals they need.
4. Find a Quiet Study Space
When your kids come home from school, they are not finished with their day. Most children have homework. While kids can do homework in the living room, their bedroom, or at the kitchen table, they should have a dedicated space free of distraction.
Does your house have a spare room that you can turn into an office? Maybe your child’s room is big enough for a desk? You want to work with your kids to create a space that fits their personality and makes them productive.
5. Enroll Your Kids in Extracurricular Activities
Socialization is vital to child development. Positive interactions help kids build skills that establish personal and professional relationships later in life. Parents can help children develop essential social skills by enrolling them in extracurricular activities like sports or art classes.
The activity should coincide with your child’s interests. For example, if your little ones love superhero movies and toys, consider enrolling them in a martial arts activity. If your child loves to tell stories, consider enrolling them in a creative writing class.
The new school year is a new adventure for the entire family. Everyone needs to adapt to new schedules after having several months off. Parents can help their children by being supportive, encouraging, and ensuring they maintain healthy habits.
Sources:
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sleep.html
https://whizz.com/blog/back-to-school-checklist-for-parents/