Ready or not, here comes the first day of school! Take the time to plan ahead and get ready, so you can relax, be comfortable, the night before. Here are some easy steps for your kids to follow:

  • Pick out your clothes the night before
  • Get your book bag and any other supplies ready
  • Eat a good dinner
  • Decide on breakfast for the next morning
  • Pack your lunch the night before
  • Set your alarm clock before bed.
  • Get a good night’s rest
  • Be confident!!!

I want to elaborate a bit on the last point. Not everyone is excited to go back to school and see friends, sometimes social situations are a struggle. Although it might seem like you hear it way too often, confidence really is the key to success.

It is never a bad idea to get both little and big worries out in the open. Have conversations with your child with an open mind.Give them time. Coach them to think of antidotes to their concerns. Teach your child to tackle their worries proactively. What could make that worry disappear? Keep the language that you use with your child as positive as possible. When you are praising or disciplining your children, try to be constructive and kind. 

Model the behaviour and attitude that you wish to see. If you want your children to have a positive attitude to learning, model it. If you want your children to be kind to their friends, show them how it’s done. If you want them to be excited about the future, talk about your own goals, dreams and aspirations. If you don’t want them to be on screens all the time, put your own device down! (This is hard, especially when working from home.)

Finally, your child has other adults in their lives besides you! They may have a great relationship with their grandparents, cousins, favourite aunt, uncle or your best friend. It is good for children to experience relationships with these different people and to develop their own unique friendships. These people might do things differently to you, but sometimes this diversity of approach can really benefit children. Children need to know that there are many people in their world who love them and are there for them.

There are many ways to prepare children for the school year, but the most important is love and support! Here is to a GREAT year!

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