8 Tips to Help Kids Transition to a New School Year
The start of a new school year can be an exciting yet stressful time for kids and parents alike. For children, it’s a period filled with anticipation, excitement, and—possibly—some anxiety, so setting up routines in advance to help ease the transition is key.
Implementing various tasks to move from summer fun back to a school-year routine can help make life a bit easier for children and you as a parent. After all, anything you can do to help alleviate a bit of stress on everyone, the better off the entire family will be.
Our team at Merry Maids® has some easy tips for you and your kids to make the transition from summer vacation to the school year as smooth as possible.
1. Set Up a Night-Time Routine
A regular sleep schedule and bedtime routine can help your child adjust better to their new routine and reduce stress levels. Establishing a calm environment at night will help ensure they get enough restful sleep. Designate when the lights go out (e.g., about 8 p.m.) and when they wake up (e.g., 6 a.m.). This should also include a few minutes of quiet time before bed to help them wind down and relax.
2. Reduce Screen Time
Spending too much time on screens can affect your child’s ability to focus, sleep, and be productive during the school day. Limit their TV time and have them unplug from devices at least an hour before bedtime.
A few other ways to help reduce screen time can include the following:
- Ensure children eat at the dinner table and not in front of the TV.
- Suggest alternative activities to keep your children engaged and their minds off the TV or electronic devices.
- Set a positive example for your children and limit your own screen time.
- Make limiting screen time into a game or a competition so the entire family is involved.
Creating a consistent routine where the TV and other devices aren’t such an integral part of your daily life can help make the transition from summer to the new school year seamless.
3. Regulate Eating Habits
Healthy eating habits are important for physical and mental well-being, so ensure your child consumes nutritious meals throughout the day. This will give them more energy to learn in class and will also ensure better health overall.
Additionally, ensuring you set a dinnertime routine can help create a structured environment at home that your children will need during the school year.
4. Set Realistic Goals + Targets
Establish realistic goals with your child on what they want to achieve for the upcoming school year. This can include reading certain books, achieving a target grade in their favorite subject, or developing better organizational skills. It’s important to keep these goals achievable and realistic.
5. Set Routines
Establishing daily routines helps your child adjust to the new school year faster. Break down your child’s day into specific tasks and activities.
This list can include the following:
- Waking up
- Getting dressed for school
- Having breakfast
- Attending classes
- Completing homework
Setting up a routine will help make your children more organized and productive during the day and help them manage their day successfully.
6. Prepare a Task List
Making a list of tasks that need to be completed before the start of each school day can help your child stay on track with their goals. Include items such as packing lunch boxes, laying out school uniforms/clothes, and reviewing their daily task list.
7. Open Communication
Keep communication open with your child throughout the transition period to understand their feelings and respond accordingly. Listen to their concerns and worries about starting school and address them in a supportive manner. Remind them that it’s normal to feel anxious at times but also encourage them to focus on the positive things that come with a new routine, such as meeting new friends or learning new topics.
8. Remain Patient
Change can be difficult, so be patient with your child during this adjustment period. Encourage healthy habits like exercising regularly and spending quality time together without screens or technology. This will help build trust between you and your child and make them feel safe and secure before school starts and throughout the year.
Merry Maids Can Help You Jumpstart the School Year with a New Cleaning Service
Following these tips can help you and your children adjust to the new school year more easily. Remember to be supportive, encouraging, and patient, as it may take some time for the transition period to become smoother.
Merry Maids offers cleaning services that can help to further support your child’s transition from summer vacation to a new school year. With a clean and organized home, you can focus on getting everyone ready for back to school.
Call (888) 490-4227 for more information, or schedule an estimate today!
