BACK-TO-SCHOOL :: 5 Tips for a Smooth Start

As summer is drawing to close a close, so are the summer holidays. This year will be a little different to previous years. I will be joining the fellow 'school run mums' too with my daughter who will be going to nursery for the first time. For me it's a bittersweet moment. On one hand I am exciting for this milestone but I cannot help feel a pinch in my stomach. It the end of something special and the beginning of a new adventure and seeing as we are about to embark on a brand new milestone I thought that I would create a little post to help all parent prepare for going back to school. 

First thing first, it is so important when preparing your children for their first day of school that planning is EVERYTHING. Like most things in life, planning and preparation are key, by showing your children that you have everything under control, being supportive and reassuring will help make them feel more at ease and will burst with confidence on their first day. So here are a few things you may need to consider when you are preparing for going back to school.



MEETING THE TEACHERS

Entering a classroom full of new faces can be stressful for anyone, especially a young child who hasn't spent a lot of time away from home yet. Most schools will have inset days to give you and your child a chance to meet the teachers. So be sure to attend, so your child will see at least one familiar face on the first day. If your child is younger, try to arrange a play date with other children that will be in their classroom. For my daughter, she will be attending the same session as her cousin which will be great as they are already use to one another and I am sure that they both will forget about being nervous. 


TAKE A LOOK AROUND

Whilst at the inset days take the opportunity to take a look around the nursery, this way any little one will feel more comfortable if she knows her way around the classroom. Whilst in the nursery or school make sure that your little one knows where the bathroom is and ask if they know how to get there. This will help avoid any embarrassing accidents.Other important areas to point out are the first aid room and the school office. Chances are, your child won't be wandering around the school alone, but if they finds himself separated from her classroom, that way they will know where to go.


UNIFORMS

It doesn't matter how you look at it, undoubtedly your children will want to fit in and so many parents must begin at the beginning. Whether that's sorting the school uniform or getting new clothes for their first day. They will feel so much more confident walking through those school gates that you picked their clothes together. My daughter has already decided what she wants to wear for her first day of nursery, we were send a list of all the things that she will need before she starts. This way, she will have all the required clothing, bags, lunch box and any supplies that she will need in advance. No last minutes shopping is required. Not forgetting something that is normally overlooked LABELS.


My Name Tags are by far one of the most popular brands for school labels, they come highly recommended with their custom labels where you can choose from Iron on, or stickers. With these custom labels you children will be able to get invovled with the many designs that you are able to create There are also some different ranges that you can choose from; Hello Kitty, Mr Men & Little Miss, or even Battersea Cats & Dogs. The choice is endless.The iron on labels attach very easily to clothing. I have used these on all her clothing items and even her coat, hat and gloves. The stickers that I was kindly sent through are very good and we will be using these for her lunchbox, backpack and any Tupperware I may use. 


PREPARE WITH SUMMER LEARNING

Even during the summer holidays it is important to continue learning , so keep you child in learning mode with age specific activities, there are fun and creative ways you can help do this. It is always a good idea to try and find out what key stages little ones are currently at so you can continue to improve.



START YOUR SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Start a bedtime schedule one week in advance of school so that your child gets at least 10 hours of sleep at night. As an adult, we know how cranky we get when we are tired, and so do our children. Remember that they don’t have our coping skills. Get back into a ‘normal’ routine in the week before school begins. So, gradually make bedtimes a little earlier and morning lie-ins a little shorter. Practise being ready by a certain time – dressed, washed, teeth brushed and ready for the day ahead – even if you’re not going anywhere, it will help in the long run! Also eating lunch and dinner at similar sorts of times your child would on a typical school day can provide consistency in their transition from home to school.


Are you ready for going back to school?

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