How to Get Ready for Back to School

Getting ready to return to school evokes a variety of emotions depending on the child. Some children can't wait to get back into the classroom to see their friends and start learning again. Other children lay awake at night, dreading the end of summer and the inevitable first day of school. Fortunately, parents can do a few things to make the return to school easier for everyone. Read on to learn how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Make an appointment with your child's doctor for a back-to-school physical. Get the necessary forms filled for your child to participate in sports during the year.
2. Take your child shopping for new school clothes and shoes. Make sure he has shoes suitable for physical education class.
3. Take your child out to buy supplies early. Stores often run out of popular items. Make sure your child has a new backpack and lunch box if needed. Clearly label everything with your child's name.
4. Bring your child to school to visit, especially if it is a new school. Ask if you can meet important people such as the teacher, principal and counselor. Find your child's locker and look for her classes if a schedule is available.
5. Start your child on the bedtime and waking schedule a week before school starts. Get your child to bed earlier at night and allow extra time to get ready in the morning until a routine is established. Have a sit down breakfast, where your child has a chance to relax and prepare for the day.
6. Hang a calendar on your refrigerator or another visible spot. Review the school year calendar with your child. Point out when important events occur throughout the year to give her the big picture.
7. Talk to your child about his goals for the school year. Ask him about academics, extracurricular activities and friends. If your child is interested, have him write down his goals in a journal or back-to-school book that you take out at the beginning and end of each school year.

Tips & Warnings

• If your child is riding the bus for the first time, make sure you know where the bus stop is and what time the bus arrives. Find out the name of the bus so the child knows which bus to get on after school.
• Get the backpack ready, and even the lunch box packed, the night before.
• Create a folder to keep school correspondence organized. You probably will start receiving important papers the first day.