The new term and a new start for many is just around the corner, however this year it’s all a bit different though, our children have been off school since March and it will take some adjusting to get back into the swing of things. However, I am here with some Back to School tips to implement now and a fab new giveaway from Smiggle.
My favourite aspect of the new term is the optimism and renewed effort that many students bring to the classroom. Parents up and down the county though will be singing that they are finally going back. In September the students are often keen to meet new teachers and take great care in having the correct equipment. It is the time to grab the students attention and get them in the best possible frame of mind for the academic year ahead.
As a qualified teacher and parenting expert who is married to a teacher with two school-age children and a third-year university student our year most definitely runs Sept to Sept. We have new diaries and calendars and I feel refreshed and renewed and ready to get back to some sort of normality. This year more than ever we are ready to embrace Back to School.
What as parents can we do to help our children get off to the best start?
Here are my 5 ‘Back to School’ top tips.
Firstly having the correct equipment is important. I find that if children are prepared and feel good this enhances their self-esteem. Having new stationery is definitely part of our back to school preparation.
Secondly, start reducing the bedtime timings about a week before the term starts. We often let the rules relax over the holidays (and so we should in my opinion) and children go to bed later. With children being off school since March routine is probably somewhat of a memory! My 16 year old has turned almost nocturnal and we need to address this now ready for a return to the classroom.
Reduce the time by 5/10 minutes every few nights until they are settling at the ideal time. This needs to be bigger steps for my teen as he needs to bring his sleep time forward by about 4 hours!
It is easy to spot the effects in the classroom of those who don’t have enough sleep. Again a nice warm bath with some calming bubble bath is ideal for helping the wind-down time. Followed with a good story – promote and help the classroom teacher here with developing a love of books.
Thirdly plan for lunchboxes, I often struggle to find inspiration for healthy snacks. The end of the holidays is a good time to stock up the freezer with healthy snacks that can be used when back at school. As a working mum of three, I don’t often have time to get creative in term time. Therefore I ensure my freezer stocked with pre-made Shepard’s pies for tea but also bits for lunch boxes like mini pizzas made with puff pastry.
Another tip is to label everything! It is amazing how quickly PE kits and school coats can be mixed up. My son has even come home wearing the wrong shoes in the past! If everything is labelled it is much quicker for teachers and parents to sort out and switch rightful owners. Have you ever seen how much-lost property is never claimed in an average school! A sharpie or a stamp is a fast way to label everything.
Finally give your child responsibility. If you train them well they will be a great asset. My children each have specific chores to be done each morning to ensure that we leave the house on time. Bags must be packed the night before. My nine year old has to load the car in the morning whilst the teen washes up the breakfast dishes. They are both responsible for making their beds. They may not be perfect but they are work in progress and I am sure their future partners will thank me for instilling this into them!
Win with Smiggle
We have visited Smiggle to stock up with stationery, water bottles and bags before September. There is a new range that we especially loved! The Budz collection includes the iconic double decker lunchbox which is perfect for lunchtime. It has two tiers of storage so you can separate all of your snacks. Lining is BPA free and food safe. The collection includes stationery, watches and bags.
A visit to Smiggle has certainly got Erin in the mood for Back to School and she now is keen to pack her bags and embrace September! My eldest is at University and even she stocked up on notepads!
To help you get off to the best September start I am running a quick giveaway in conjunction with Smiggle. I have a stationery set complete with notepad, highlighters, pencils, gel pens and sharpener to giveaway. I am also including a water bottle which will help your little one stay hydrated during the day.
To enter simply complete the entry form below.
Good Luck with the giveaway.
39 Responses
Fab tips, I need to work on the responsibility bit with mine, it tends to be me running all over the place in the mornings.
Great tips x
We absolutely love Smiggle so your recommendation on this one is spot on! Lol at the lax bedtimes through the holidays. I am not looking forward to 7am starts once september hits.
My tip would don’t leave it all until the last minutes as that’s very stressful x
Try to get there a few minutes early to reacquaint yourself with the place and people.
Be prepared!
This time is so different to usual back to school that we’re used to. It’s hard to prepare when we don’t fully know how it will be.
My best tip is to involve the kids in the new routine, asking them what they think will work best for them x
Start early , make a list and buy as and when you see it at a good price.
Wake up extra early for the first week so you have time to get the kids used to their school routine again.
Make it fun by buying new stationary and lunchboxes and try to talk positively to your children about going back to school x
an early night and bags ready the day before
Treat them to new things like lunch boxes…role play schools and make it fun and exciting…get into an earlier routine of bedtimes in the few days leading up to school starting again.
Prep Prep PREP!
Try new uniform on on plenty of time to avoid a last minute dash to get more as it doesn’t fit 🙂
I try and buy uniform a bit at a time for my 3 children but leave shoes and trainers until the week before school starts.
Get eveything ready day before
Be prepared and enjoy the moment.
Make sure they get to bed at a reasonable time and get a good healthy, balanced breakfast!
Don’t buy more than you need. Check uniform from last year to see if it still fits. I bought a plastic lunchbox for my son and we re-use it every year, i just buy new dishwasher safe stickers for the front depending on what he’s in to at the time 🙂
Thanks for the info!
Be prepared and provide encouragement
I’m used a nursery taking my daughter to school, so I think with current restrictions in place this will be a bit different this year. At the moment the school haven’t really given an idea of any changes in start or finish times, so the only thing I can prepare at the moment is the school uniform which I’m glad I have nearly finished with.
I now use labels or a sharpie when labeling clothes, as I find this easier than the sew in name tags and they seem to last longer.
Start getting a normal bedtime routine back in place a couple of weeks before they go back. Otherwise they’ll struggle to get up in the mornings.
To make sure that routines are established, like getting up and ready before hand. That everything is prepped the night before.
I agree with others definitely practice routine and only buy what you really need
Preparation is key ❤️ Thanks
Get everything ready the night before, bags by the door, uniforms ready – less stressful that way!
my top tip is to keep reading all through the summer. So many children read to their parents during the school year and then stop during the holidays. DONT STOP! Reading is the best thing you can do.
Stay postive about returning to school as kids pick up on stress make sure you buy everything in good time and have it all ready before return day. Make sure kids know any rules or changes put in place to keep them safe .
Make a list at least a week before and prepare 🙂
Make going to school as much fun as possible
Being organised is the key
Make a list of what you need and tick it off as you buy it 🙂
Mine is to be prepared without stressing the kids out too much! If they see I’m stressed they get stressed too!
Great organisation and a big family planner makes school planning much easier!
Organise, organise, organise! Make sure as much as you can is prepared the night before so the morning isn’t a rush.
Make sure you’re prepared the night before!
Try to be organised 🙂
We like to have a “back to school” party on the first weekend back. Its something to look for and keeps them from worrying.