We are about a week away from public school starting and I don't know about you but all of my normal systems have taken a back seat to the freedom of summer. So here are some tips to help you and your kids get back into school mode. When things go smoothly, kids feel more confident and ready to learn.

Earlier to Bed, Earlier to Rise:

I know for our family, bedtime has been very flexible and my kids have been able to sleep in almost the entire summer.

It will help to begin moving bedtime up a few minutes each night until school starts. Take the number of minutes that you need to adjust for bedtime and divide by the number of days left of summer break.

Summer bedtime: 9:30 pm

School bedtime: 8:30

60 minutes difference/6 days until school starts

Each night from now until school starts, my kids will need to go to bed ten minutes earlier each night.

This same process works for morning. You will have to start waking them up earlier each day until school starts.

Establish Routines

Routines help kids know what to expect each day. Set up your routines for what needs to be done in the mornings before school and for what needs to be done in the afternoons after school.

Organize School Supplies

It helps to gather all school supplies in one spot. That way your kids know where to find the items they need when it’s time to start homework. This can help reduce stress at homework time as well as allow your child to be a little more independent at homework time.

We have a caddy that I picked up at Target last year, it is filled with markers, colored pencils, pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, erasers and a pencil sharpener. I also have a place for paper. My kids know where it is and can pull it out whenever they need to complete homework. And I can see whenever our supplies get low.

Have a Plan for Homework

Clear a dedicated space for your child to complete their homework. Having a spot for homework makes it easier for kids to concentrate. They know where to go that is separate from playtime. Make sure the space is clean and organized and that the area has the necessary supplies. The homework space should also have good lighting and should be quiet with few distractions.

I hope all of these suggestions help you and your family have an easier transition from summer to back to school. What tips would you add to this post?

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