The secret to back-to-school prep isn鈥檛 just getting your child ready; it鈥檚 getting ahead of the curve yourself. Here鈥檚 how:
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Don鈥檛 delay! Fill out those forms
Did your school send home forms to fill out? Is your email inbox clogged with requests from school administrators? Don鈥檛 wait until the night before school starts to finish these tasks. Are your emergency contacts up to date? Do you need to ask another friend or relative to be your emergency contact this year? Give yourself enough time during the week before school starts to gather the information you鈥檒l need to complete all of the required forms.
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Start school routines now
The back-to-school schedule takes time to adjust to, so it鈥檚 best to get a head start. 鈥淗ave a night-time routine and stick to it,鈥� says , a California education consultant, former middle-school teacher, and author on curriculum and instruction. 鈥淏egin it in August so kids are accustomed to it when school starts.鈥� Her suggestions include: no television Sunday to Thursday nights, texting or messaging with friends only after homework is done, and reading for at least 20 minutes before bed.
鈥淎 week or so before school starts, talk through with your kids what they envision their schedule will be like,鈥� advises , professor of psychology and neuroscience at Temple University and the author of The 10 Basic Principles of Good 撸友看片 and You and Your Adolescent. 鈥淔or younger children, explain the schedule and how the days will be organized. For middle and high school students, ask them to explain what their schedule will be like — what classes they are taking, what extracurricular activities, work schedule, etc. Help them think through how to handle their responsibilities. When will they block out time for homework? When will they block out time to practice? Help them make sure the schedule is 鈥榬ealistic鈥�.鈥�
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Ease new school worries
If your child is changing schools or going to a new school for the first time, they may be feeling anxious. Take some time before the start of school to make sure you and your child know where to go and what to do on that first morning. If you can find out what classroom your child will be in, visit the classroom ahead of time so she knows exactly where to go in the morning. You may even want to call the school in advance to find out about any special first-day procedures. For more guidance, check out 11 tips for adjusting to a new school.
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Get your volunteer hours on the calendar
鈥淧arent involvement in schools matters,鈥� says Steinberg. 鈥淧arents should think about the level of involvement they can commit to for the year. Whether it鈥檚 one field trip or volunteering weekly, figure out the level of involvement you can commit to and stick with it.鈥� Having trouble fitting volunteering at school into your schedule? Here鈥檚 what some working parents said about what鈥檚 worked for them, and what schools can do to make volunteering easier for parents who aren鈥檛 available during the school day.
