As a new parent (especially if you're a first-time parent), sending your child back to school can bring up a mix of feelings. You might feel excited about this new chapter in your child's life, but also be worried about being away from your child for most of the day. So relax. It is totally normal to feel overwhelmed by it all, and don't worry because, with a little bit of planning, you can make this experience less stressful and even turn it into a great day full of positivity. To help you support your child, we at Laadlee bring you six tried-and-tested ways to ensure your child’s return to school goes smoothly.
1. Create a smooth morning routine
The importance of establishing a smooth morning routine often goes under-noticed. Once you successfully cultivate the habit of getting up early, finishing breakfast and being ready for the day, going to school becomes just another task that follows. To do this successfully, you need to develop a visual checklist for your child to follow each morning. This should include tasks right from folding the bed and brushing your teeth to getting dressed and packing the lunch for the day.
To ease things out, don't enforce a strict routine immediately before school starts. Instead, gradually shift bedtime and wake-up times a few weeks before school starts to ease into the new schedule.
2. Start a back-to-school countdown
Another idea is to make a countdown calendar that will add some excitement leading up to the first day of school. By doing this, your child will unconsciously look forward to the start of the school year. This can involve tasks like shopping for school supplies or choosing a special outfit for the first day. Each day can be used to get ready for school, like practicing the morning routine, organizing the study space, or having a day dedicated to school-themed crafts.
3. Give them a reason to go back to school
Kids often like some school subjects more than others. By helping them look forward to their favorite classes, you can make the school day more exciting for them. This can not only help take away some of the pressure of schoolwork but also help them feel more positive and enthusiastic about learning. When kids are excited about the classes they love, they feel like they have more control over their education. This makes the whole school experience more fun and satisfying.
4. Prepare healthy and fun lunches for them
To help your child have a great day, you can put a nice note or a funny joke in their lunchbox. These little messages can make them feel happy and excited for lunchtime. You can also ask your child to help choose and pack their lunch so they can have food they like. This makes packing lunch more fun and helps them learn about picking healthy foods. Use cookie cutters to make sandwiches, fruits, and veggies into fun shapes.
Additionally, you can also create themed lunch days, such as 'Taco Tuesday' or 'Fruit Fiesta Friday,' to keep things exciting and varied. This can help break the monotony and make each day’s lunchtime something to anticipate.
5. Create a goodbye ritual
Establish a special goodbye routine for your child. This could be a secret handshake, a special hug, or giving them a small token, like a charm or a note. These personalized rituals provide comfort and connection, helping your child feel secure and loved when you're apart. You must also start each morning with words of encouragement and affirmations to boost their confidence. By doing this, you can create a nurturing environment that encourages your child to face the school day with confidence and positivity.
6. Celebrate the first day
Finally, after all the preparation, you need to make sure that the actual school-going experience is memorable and exciting. You can also capture the excitement of the first day with a special photo and use a sign or chalkboard to mark the date, grade and height of your child. You can also plan a small after-school celebration, like a visit to their favorite ice cream shop or a family picnic, to hear about their day.
Another great idea to celebrate the first day would be to start a memory book for your child to document their experiences and feelings. End the day with a special family dinner chosen by your child and a bedtime story about new adventures. These activities create a supportive and joyful environment, celebrating their bravery and setting a positive tone for the new school year.
As you can see, getting your kid ready for school means finding a balance between making plans and being there for them emotionally. To make this milestone more memorable, we have curated the latest range of school essentials, such as school bags and bottles, to help you make the day exciting for your kids. Our collection of memory improvement and learning games can also help your child get a fun introduction to school subjects. Remember, the key to a happy school-going experience is fostering a positive association with it. So develop a love for learning in your child, and soon they will be more excited to go to school than you can imagine.