8 ways to get kids excited for back to school
Back to School can be a nervous time for many kids, especially if they are starting in a new building or school all-together. It can also be quite a bummer for other kids who really are sad that summer is ending. How do you get past the blues and get your kids excited to go back for another school year?
In this post, I will list some fun and easy ways to get kids excited to get going back to school!
1. If you recently moved to a new neighborhood and your child will be attending a new school, this can be a very scary time for him or her. Ease the transition by holding an end of summer BBQ in your new neighborhood. Make it a point to invite area kids and their parents. This way, you will have an opportunity to meet and greet before school gets going and your child can feel less scared about attending somewhere new.
2. Take your children shopping with you for school supplies. Give them simple choices for them if you are on a budget. I remember as a kid starting to get excited for school if I was in charge of picking my own supplies. I felt more in control and so it made me excited to use my new supplies.
3. Just because you pick out plain school supplies doesn’t mean they have to stay that way. Get the kids together (with school friends as well if you want!) and gather art supplies. Spend an afternoon decorating folders, pencil cases, notebooks and so on with stuff like glitter, stickers, pictures cut from magazines and other glue on stuff.
4. If they are nervous about starting a new school, another idea is to ask the school if you would be able to tour the building and meet new teachers before the start of school. That way, the child will feel more confident in where to go for the library, restroom, his or her classroom, lunchroom and gym. Checking things out first can really ease the transition.
5. Enlist your child’s help in creating a “homework center” in your home before the start of school. This should be a quiet, low traffic place that he or she can do homework, distraction free. Your child can help by picking out desk supplies, making artwork you can frame near it, picking out the spot and even helping pain furniture if you want to do that.
6. One thing many children feel anxious about with school is the change in routine. Most of the summer is sent with less structure and more freedom. Start easing children back into a structure by setting bedtimes for back to school early on. Gradually move the time they go to bed to 10 minutes earlier every night. This will make it a lot easier to get back in the habit when school starts.
7. Enlist your child’s help in deciding what to make for breakfasts and lunches. Take them school meal shopping and have them help you decide what will be going in their lunches. If you make ahead some items, ask the kiddo’s to help.
8. Don’t forget to plan something special for that first day of school. Take them out to breakfast, leave a note in a lunchbox or plan to go to ice cream after school to talk about that first day.
Great tips, Chrissy! I like the one to jazz up the school supplies yourself. 🙂