Back-to-school tips for Belclaire families

Summer is flying by and back-to-school season, whether you’ll be learning at home or in the classroom, is right around the corner! We know how hard it can be to get the kids into study-mode after a long break, so here are a few tips to make the transition a little easier:

1. Start a morning schedule
   Start waking kids up at what will be their regular morning wake-up time so they can adjust to their new school-year schedule. For older children, help them set an alarm clock.
2. Eat a healthy breakfast
   A nutritious breakfast is a key component in starting the day off right. Incorporate healthy breakfast options like apples, bananas and whole grain toast. This will give them the energy they need to be mentally alert all day,
3. Set out clothes the night before
   Avoid scrambling for clothes by choosing a school outfit the night before. Get into a routine of doing this even before school starts so your child is in the habit of planning ahead.
4. Plan a healthy lunch
   In the days or weeks before school starts, plan and make your lunches for the next day each night. Even though school isn’t in session yet, or you may be lunching at home, this can help your kids get used to packing a lunch by having it labeled and ready to go each morning.
5. Follow a lunch schedule
   Help get your child’s stomach on a schedule so he or she isn’t studying hungry and distracted by eating lunch at the same time as they will when school starts.
   Make dedicated TV-free time
6. Make dedicated TV-free time
   Start getting into a homework routine now by having TV-free time during after-school hours. Use this time for a learning activity like reading a book or even talking about your day together.
7. Play board or word games
   Playing games over the summer is a great way to keep the mind engaged and focused on building learning skills.
8. Stick to a bedtime routine
   Early bedtimes are hard to enforce during the summer break, but young minds need plenty of sleep to be ready to learn. Get back into a set bedtime routine now so your child isn’t up late the night before the first day of school.
9. Read every day
   Learning doesn’t stop over the summer. Each day take at least 30 minutes to sit with your child and read together. This will help keep them engaged with learning and in the routine of daily schoolwork.
10. Stock up on school supplies
    Take your child shopping for back-to-school supplies needed to get the year off to a successful start. Shopping for backpacks, binders, and pencil cases will get your child thinking about the upcoming school year.

Just because summer is ending, the rest of the year doesn’t have to be a bore. Follow these tips and get your Belclaire family excited for the upcoming school year!