How to Get Your Child Ready for the New School Year

There is such a difference between a child's schedule and daily activities during summer vacation and school that the transition back to school can be bumpy. With a little extra effort and preparation started a couple of weeks before school starts, your child will be ready for the first day.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Children's Books
• Math Workbooks
• Museum Schedules

1. 1. If reading was not part of the child's daily or weekly activities in the summer, then it should be added to his/her daily routine.

2. 2. Reviewing math facts learned the year before will help your child recall what was taught and be ready for the review once school starts. With his/her own review done ahead of time, s/he will feel confident about math and be ready for the new challenges in the new year.

3. 3. Museum trips will help stimulate interest in learning and curiosity about the unknown. Museums that have hands-on activities are especially worth a visit.

4. 4. Children are often allowed to stay up later in the summer. 4. Reducing the bedtime by ten minutes every night before school to the time when they would be going to bed during school will help get their sleeping habits back on track.

5. 5. The same is true with wake up time. Children are allowed to sleep later in the summer. Some must rise very early during the school year to catch the bus. Adapting their wake up time with small increments before school will help the morning "reveille."