For kids and parents alike, it’s hard to believe how quickly the time passes between when a school year ends and another school year begins during the late summer months.
It’s always an enormous adjustment for youngsters to give up entire days playing sports, swimming, riding their bikes and participating in other enjoyable activities all day long, to then face heading back to school and hitting the books. Truth be told, it’s a huge adjustment for parents as well, so here’s some advice that may help everyone facing this challenge.
Switching to a school schedule again can be stressful for everyone in the house, so avoid first-day-of-school craziness by practicing getting up early and establishing a morning routine a few days before that school bell rings. Set the alarm clock and get in the car or to the bus stop on time. Many children thrive with routines, so establishing a solid plan ahead of time will make the first few days go smoother.
It’s a good idea to start their bedtime routine about 10 minutes earlier each night as the first day of school draws closer and wake them up 10 minutes earlier each morning, every day, until they’re back on track. It’s easy for youngsters during the summer months to fall into less than desirable eating habits, so it’s recommended that parents return children to the routine of eating three square meals each day.
Point out the better aspects of starting school to create positive anticipation about the first day of class. Your kids will see old friends again and meet new ones. Talk with them about positive experiences they may have had in the past at school or with other groups of children. You might also want to find another child in the neighborhood with whom your child can walk to school or ride with on the bus. It’s also wise as summer vacation winds down for parents to talk to their kids about what’s expected at school and how they may best succeed.
Parents should also consider challenging themselves to set aside 15 minutes per day, per child, to enjoy a quiet activity together. Whether it involves reading an extra book or two to a toddler, taking turns making up a story with your preschooler, or gazing at the stars with your oldest after the others have been put to bed, children will enjoy and be comforted by the undivided attention.
One of the obstacles for children to overcome in going to sleep at the proper time once school starts again is overstimulation from playing video games, texting on their cell phones, and dealing with the glowing light from televisions and tablets. Doing your best to separate your children from those distractions well before bedtime will help them get more restful sleep.
Parents should help children choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. Go through the pack with your child weekly and remove unneeded items to keep it from getting too heavy.
Many children become nervous about new situations, including changing to a new school, classroom or teacher. This may occur at any age, so if your child seems uneasy it can be helpful to take them to visit the new school or classroom before the first day of school. Remind them that there are probably many students like them who are uneasy about school starting and teachers are there to help.
Taking your child to the pediatrician’s office shortly before school begins will help alleviate the anxiety of wondering if all medical records and vaccinations are current, and it’s also the perfect time for a sports physical.
For more information about Eskenazi Health, visit: www.EskenaziHealth.edu. Please call Eskenazi Health Connections at 317.880.7666 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to schedule an appointment with one of our pediatricians.
Nydia Nunez-Estrada, M.D.,
Family Medicine Specialist with Eskenazi Health Center North Arlington