Hi ya’ll! Being that school is starting, or has already started for some, got me thinking of ways I could help my child be excited for school.
My twins started kindergarten last year and I thought that was hard. But 1st grade seems so grown up. The routine will be a little different. Plus the work will be a little harder and more in depth. And I can tell that makes them nervous. Thankfully they seem to adapt to their surroundings pretty well, but as a mom I want to make sure they feel excited and prepared for the year ahead!
Sometimes change can cause our child to be anxious and scared, which then causes them to either act out or shut down. But with a few simple steps we can help our child get off to a great start!
Disclaimer– I AM NOT a professional therapist, doctor, teacher, or child rearing guru. These suggestions are simply ideas that have worked for my family. If you are looking for professional help, please discontinue reading now. But if you are interested in some helpful tips I encourage you to read on!
7 Ways To Get Your Child Excited About School
REVIEW TO REMIND
Step 1: Discuss The New Things They Will Learn
My daughter loves to learn new things so it doesn’t take much convincing for her. But my son needs a little push. He is very inquisitive, so if we take a minute to fully explain it he is a lot more receptive and willing.
Step 2: Review What They Learned Last Year
I tried to do this over the summer to keep it fresh in their minds. However, you can easily do a quick refresh this week! You can easily Google “spelling words for (add your child’s grade). You can also do the same thing for math.
If you have a child working on Sight Words at the moment (this is great for Preschool- 1st grade) I have a FREE Sight Word List that you can easily print to use at home!
BUILD CONFIDENCE
Step 3: Let Them Choose Their First Day Of School Outfit
Sadly enough our children, even at the age of 6, can struggle with confidence. However, something as small as the right t-shirt can give them that extra boost of confidence, even in their studies!
P.S.-If you are looking for school outfits on a tight budget this thrift store is perfect!
Step 4: Have A Routine
By creating an easy routine that all family members can follow sets your day up for success! I strongly believe that when a child has to think too hard about how the day is suppose to go, their confidence level goes way down. In their mind they are thinking of all of the negative things that “might” happen throughout their day, even when the original thought was “when should I brush my teeth”. If they can do mindless tasks mindlessly, that relieves their “always turning” brains from creating confusion. Thus upping the confidence and leading to a good day!
However, creating a routine may take a little work and patience. I’d suggest start by setting a specific bedtime. Then create a plan for your morning, such as, wake-up time, breakfast, brushing teeth, getting dressed and so on.
Helpful Tip: if you share a bathroom give each child a certain amount of time to get ready. Then set a timer to make sure they stick to that time. It may take a couple of days to figure out the perfect time so be patient!
Most importantly find a routine that works for you and your family. Each family has their own specific needs. If you have time to do your daughters hair like Elsa’s (from the movie Frozen) then go for it! If not, a pony tail will do just fine!
Step 5: Get A Good Nights Sleep
Having my kiddos get a good nights sleep is top priority on my list. When a child is lacking sleep they get grumpy and aren’t able to focus. This could lead to getting bad grades, as well as bad behavior. Sleep keeps our bodies and minds healthy, which prepares us for a GREAT day!
However, life can be a little crazy and your kids may not get to bed at your scheduled time. And that’s ok! Just try your best not to make a habit of too many late nights in a row. Our schedule is not the same everyday so I know how hard this is. So, personalize the routine to fit YOUR schedule!
BE PREPARED
Step 6: Attend Your Child’s School Open House
This is a great way to get rid of first day jitters! They can meet their teacher, know where their classroom is, and possibly see an old friend or meet a new one.
My oldest son does not like change and gets very nervous about the unknown. But by giving him details of the situation and familiarizing him with his surroundings seems to help relieve that anxiousness. And Open House is a great way to make that happen!
Step 7: Have A Drop Off And Pick Up Plan
If your child will be riding the bus take time to do a mock run to help your child understand how to sit and behave on a bus. It’s also a good idea to help your child memorize their bus number schedule.
If your child will be a drop off and pick up, take a ride to the school and show them where that will take place.
It’s also good to have a back up person and plan in case of an emergency. Reassure your child that they will not be forgotten about no matter what circumstances arise!
My Most Important Advice
The best advice I can give is to always be there for your child and consider their needs in that moment.
As much as we parents love giving advice and taking control of the situation…sometimes a simple hug can fix a days worth of frustration, a listening ear can solve a problem, and a reassuring “you’ve got this” can rebuild their confidence!
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I wish you and your family the best of school years!
If you are looking for more ways to help your child be excited for school check out my resources below:
Preparing Your Child For Kindergarten.
(Most of these tips work great for any age and grade!)
FREE Sight Word Study Sheet
These pages are helpful to have on hand while reading books with your child. Have them see how many times they can find a Sight Word in their book!
Back To School Planner Bundle
This is perfect for parents and kiddos! There are 22 pages to keep your schedules organized which will help you create a helpful school year routine!