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
- 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.
2. 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 reseptive and willing.
3. Let them help pick out 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!
IMPORTANT WAYS FOR YOUR CHILD TO FEEL PREPARED
4. Review Sight Words and Math problems. 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! For some quick tips and a FREE Sight Word list click here!
5. Have a plan for drop off and pick up. Memorize the bus schedule or drop off/pick up times with your child. It’s also good to have a back up plan and person in case of an emergency. Reassure your child that they will not be forgotten about no matter what circumstances arise!
6. Get a good nights sleep. This is probably 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!
7. Have a routine. Create an easy routine that all family members will be able to follow. Try starting the routine before school starts so your family has time to adjust. Start the routine off by setting a specific bedtime. Then create a plan for your morning… wake-up time, breakfast, brushing teeth, getting dressed, etc. And if you share a bathroom give each child a certain amount of time to get done. 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. 😉
My most important advice…
The main thing to remember is to always be there for your child. As much as us parents love giving advice, sometimes all we need to do is listen and give a comforting hug!
I wish you and your family the best of school years!
And if you are looking for more ways to help your child be excited and prepared for school, check out my post Preparing Your Child For Kindergarten. (Most of these tips work great for any age and grade!)