Our Top 5 Tips for Making the Return to School Run Smoothly
Late nights, sugar overloads, action-packed holidays, and unkempt hair; just a few of the pleasures that little ones become accustomed to during the long summer holidays. Sound familiar?
The 6-week summer holidays are a wonderful time for having fun, relaxing after a long school year and creating childhood memories that last a lifetime, but getting back to the “normality” of early mornings, packing snack bags and never-ending uniform washing can be a daunting challenge that looms heavy on the horizon
There are several things that parents can do to help their young ones prepare, and we’ve come up with our top 5 tips to help you leap into the new school year without any unwanted tumbles:
Top Tip 1: Early routines
It can be tempting to allow ‘just a few more days’ of freedom at the end of any holiday, but it comes at a price when the school year ultimately begins. Strict routines need to be reintroduced to allow for smooth transitions, so we recommend starting these earlier than you’d anticipate.
It’s always a good idea to chat to the youngsters and make them aware of pattern changes. Inform them that the school term is coming up to help them mentally prepare. That way, you’re less prone to ‘bedtime rebellion’ (hopefully)!
Allow a week prior to the first day of school to commit to earlier bedtimes and morning rising. We don’t just mean for the little ones either, it’s better if the whole family gets back into the habit sooner rather than later. It doesn’t mean that you can’t still have fun, but it’ll certainly help the first few days back on the school run go a little smoother.
Top Tip 2: Commit to breakfast
It may sound silly but it’s more productive than you’d think.
Most of us fall into casual eating habits when we’re not rushed to be somewhere at a certain time. Chances are that the kids have been dipping into the snack cupboards more often and mealtime routines have fallen away a little in favour of making the most of the holidays.
Ensure that you all try to get back into the routine of sitting down to breakfast a few days prior to the start of school. Not only will it keep you all energised for the day (as opposed to the five espresso’s you’ve become well-acquainted with!), but it gives the little ones a good reason to get up and start the day off as a family.
Top Tip 3: Reduce technology
It’s likely that the PlayStation, iPhones, X-Boxes and iPads have taken a battering over the holiday period. Although it’s always good to encourage children to take part in physical play, it’s inevitable that their free time has found them engaging more frequently with their tech.
Gradually try to reduce the time that they’re able to access electronics about a week before school starts. That doesn’t have to equate to an all-out ban but try to enforce time limits, so they know when it’s time to put them away for the day.
Technology before bed is a classic trigger of sleeplessness. You’ve possibly been more lenient with the lack of early mornings, so ensure that, where possible, screen-time is cut down to a minimum at least an hour before bedtime. Not only will it activate a school-friendly routine, but it helps young minds to wind down and sleep more peacefully.
Top Tip 4: Get organised
We know you don’t need anyone to tell you not to leave everything until the last minute, but we will anyway. Try to not leave everything until the last minute!
Lots of children will be starting new schools this term, so it’s definitely worth doing a trial run of your journey. Take the little ones with you to make it seem like an adventure. It’s also great for them to experience their new journey and help them be super excited to start!
Plan lunches a few days before. Get them involved in deciding what they want to take with them. Prepare the night before and you’ve gained an extra few minutes in bed!
Organise uniforms, notebooks, and bags in plenty of time – kids love choosing their new school bag! Make sure you’ve thoroughly read through any letters from the school so you don’t miss anything important on the first day back.
And most importantly, discuss the new school year with the young starters. Ask them if they have concerns or worries; perhaps they’re excited about something in particular? It’s always good to air everything from the outset so you can address any potential concerns further down the line. Starting a new school is exciting, but can also be nerve wracking for some. Make sure you talk about their feelings, even if they’re returning to their old school for the next year, it can still be a big change for them with new teachers, rooms, and routines!
Top Tip 5: Find a new hobby
Starting a new school year is an exciting time for children. They’ll be in a new classroom, meeting new friends and teachers and inevitably trying, and learning, new things. A wonderful way of helping them embrace the new school year and ease them into the term can be through a new hobby.
Why not suggest a new sporting activity as the new term begins? They can even buddy up with one of their friends to make it super exciting. There are always numerous activities after-school and during weekends for kids to participate in. They’re great for socialising in positive learning environments, as well as keeping them fit and active.
With the Commonwealth Games, European and World Gymnastics Championships going on this year, gymnastics is going be something your little ones may see more of and wonder how to get involved. (Seeing some of the amazing gymnasts tumble, somersault and pirouette through their routines still inspires us now, so the little ones will no doubt be in awe of some of the moves on show this year!)
