Packing smartly for school

Lost school supplies may be a given, but gear that’s hard to miss can stave off the inevitable. Pack all their pencils, erasers, and other goodies into a bright backpack or pencil pouch to keep them from disappearing.

Noting back to school nights

Make a note of important dates, especially back-to-school nights. This is especially important if you have children in more than one school and need to juggle obligations. Arrange for a babysitter now, if necessary.

Connecting with the bus driver

Communicate with your child’s bus driver and encourage your child to do the same thing. Children are sometimes very hesitant to talk to their bus driver, and it can become very important for you to take the step of speaking with them about bullying behavior on the school bus.

prepping for school colds

When preping for pre-school stock up on tissues, saline drops, antibacterial soap and gel, wipes, all the little items you wish you had in your pocketbook, car, or briefcase. As soon as the first cold hits, and it will, you’ll be so glad you did.

Reinforce Toilet Training before school

Depending on the program, some preschools require three-year-olds to be potty trained by the first day of school, some don’t. Check with your school and then move ahead with your plan.

Talking to kids about school

Spend time talking with your child about preschool even before it starts.

Before the first day, gradually introduce your child to activities that often take place in a classroom. A child accustomed to scribbling with paper and crayons at home, for example, will find it comforting to discover the same crayons and paper in his or her preschool classroom.

Talking to principal before school starts

Parents need to be prepared for preschool, too. Talk to the principal and the preschool teacher to find out as much information as you can about your child attending preschool.

If you know about the new routines and experiences your child will encounter, you will be ready to answer any questions they might have.

Back to School clothing tip

Rather than rushing out in August to buy school clothes, wait it out until mid-September.
In addition to finding more things on sale, your kids will also have an opportunity to see what everyone else is wearing before they buy those jeans they thought were trendy.

Talk up preschool

Talk positively about preschool ahead of time: their new teacher, their new friends, their new classroom.

Shop end-of-summer sales

You know as well as we do that kids wear short sleeve polo shirts all year long, so hit the big summer sales and snap up discounted duds that can be worn well into fall.

Day care guide

When meeting with day care directors or caregivers, don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to in order to feel comfortable. It’s a good idea to have a written list with you so that you don’t forget a key query.

Scheduling naps and daycare

If your child goes to day care, shoot for the same schedule that the facility imposes regarding naps.

Make a back-to-school calendar

Make a back-to-school calendar. Simply write the countdown on a piece of paper, which the kids can decorate. Cross out the dates or use stickers.

Visit school with your child

If your child is young or in a new school, visit school with your child. Meeting the teacher, locating classroom, locker, lunchroom, will help ease pre-school anxieties.

Nap time and pre-school

When preping for preschool re institute Nap Time. In the summer it’s easy to get away from toddler naptime, especially with older children.

Before school starts, review all of the information

Review school material as soon as it arrives. Packets include important information about your child’s teacher, supply requirements, activities, and dates.

Managing the teacher supply list

The teacher’s supply list at the start of a new school year is daunting enough so don’t waste time and money on unlisted items.

Kids and back-to-sickness

Children in large groups are breeding grounds for the organisms that cause illness. The top 5 causes for missed school are colds, stomach flu, ear infection, pink eye and sore throat.

Healthy dinners when things get hectic

Freeze a few easy dinners. It will be much easier on you if you have dinner prepared so that meal preparation will not add to household tensions during the first weeks of school.

Reviewing cafeteria schedules

Most schools regularly send schedules of cafeteria menus home. With advanced info plan on packing lunch on days when the main course is one your child prefers not to eat