Attention Parents: 3 Tips for Using the Rest of Summer to Help Your Kids with School

August. The countdown begins. In a few short weeks or even days you will be able to retire from your position as family event planner.  Your child is probably frantically trying to savor every last second of summer vacation (and what better time to binge watch Netflix than 2 am??)  and tackle the unaccomplished tasks on their bucket lists.  However, this time is critical to help them set themselves up for a successful transition into the new school year.  Whether they are starting at a new school or returning to their current one, here are a few tips to help them ease into September.    

1. Set a Routine:  Your child will need to reintroduce themselves to their alarm clock!  This friendship takes a little time to rekindle!  One to two weeks before the start of school, begin transitioning back to a more “normal” schedule and routine.  Begin encouraging an earlier bedtime.  Try backing bedtime up 15-30 minutes each night.  This will help your child feel ready to wake at an earlier hour.  Encourage some time for activities such as reading.  This will help your child settle back into completing assignments and homework.  Help your child reestablish these routines before the start of school.  The less change they need to adapt to all at once, the smoother the transition will be. 

2. Encourage Activity: Summer activities come in a lot of different forms.  Some children remain active all summer, while others use the time to relax.  If your child’s physical activity level has flatlined a little over the summer, encourage them to become more active.  Exercise can help reduce stress levels while also helping children sleep better.  This will help tire them out, which in turn should naturally lead to an earlier bedtime.   

3. Model Confidence: Children are masters at reading adults.  If you are anxious or stressed about the upcoming school year, this will show.  If you feel it would be helpful, have a dialogue with your child about how they’re feeling about this upcoming year.  Maybe they feel better about the year than you think.  If your child is at the stage where it is “not cool” to do this, let them know that you are there for them if they ever have a problem or need to talk.  Also, encourage your child to form a connection with a trusted adult at school.  This will help you feel more assured that if a problem does arise, your child is getting the help they need.  

Abraham Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.”  By more effectively using the end of the summer days and preparing for the transition ahead, your child will walk through the doors on that first day of school more mentally prepared to take on the school year!