Successfully going back to school

Want to start the new school year on the right foot? Here are some back-to-school tips that will help make that transition from holidays to school a lot easier.

School holidays are a great break from the hustle and bustle of normal routine. Homework gets forgotten, packed lunches are mostly unnecessary and bedtimes are stretched. School holidays are also, sadly, coming to an end. There are a few things we can do to make the transition back to school easier—the most important of which is to introduce a better sleep routine.

“Research shows that good sleep helps [kids] regulate their emotions and concentrate—no-one wants a cranky kid or an after-school tantrum,” says Dr Alex Agostini, a sleep expert from the University of South Australia.

Here are five ways to enjoy a successful back-to-school transition:

1. earlier bedtime

Move your child’s bedtime five or 10 minutes earlier each night, over the course of a week or two before school starts. This will help their bodies gradually adjust, instead of shocking them with a new routine.

2. eliminate sleep-ins

As school holidays draw to a close, wake them up slightly earlier each morning to help them feel tired enough to go to sleep on time (see tip #1).

3. be homework-ready

Have a designated homework station. If possible, give them their own table (or space) with plenty of pencils, textas, crayons and other supplies for homework and assignments. This will make the idea of doing homework a little bit more enticing. It also removes some of the common excuses they’d have to start on homework (“But Mum, I can’t find my pencil . . .”).

4. make paper cutouts of your kids’ feet

If your child hates shoe shopping, trace the outline of their feet on a piece of paper and cut along the outline. Use the cutout to buy their school shoes. If you’re lucky, you can even buy shoes that are on sale this way.

5. start early

Don’t wait until the week before school starts to buy supplies. The perfect time is during Christmas and Boxing Day sales. You can also ask family to give school supplies (think pencil cases, diaries and other stationery items) as Christmas presents.

Changing behaviours can be hard. Persistence is key. Good luck for the new school year!

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