Back-to-Basics for Back-to-School

It’s back-to-school time here in West Virginia. For many families it can be time of great stress adjusting to a new routine. Getting your children off to a great start comes with some pre-planning to ensure that they are ready to dive into the new adventures that the upcoming school year holds.

• Adjust bedtimes accordingly – A great school day starts with a good night’s rest. While the summer months often mean later bedtimes, the school day starts bright and early, which means you should adjust your child’s sleeping routine to accommodate an earlier start.
• Morning routine – Getting the hang of the morning routine often takes a couple of weeks. Set your expectations for the details that need to be accomplished before your child heads out the door. This might include wake-up times, morning chores, breakfast, grooming habits, and when they need to be at the bus stop.
• Pack a healthy lunch – The food you feed your child is the fuel that helps their bodies function. Take your child to the grocery store and let them help you pick out healthy choices for their afternoon meals. In order to accommodate a busy morning, consider packing lunches the night prior. Additionally, there is no reason your child can’t pack their own lunch (with your guidance). Helping them make good choices early will set them up for a lifetime of good eating habits.
• Choose healthy snacks – In addition to lunch choices, it is important to have healthy snacks ready for your children when they get home from school. Fresh fruits, veggies, cheese or other small snacks are great options to tie them over between lunch and dinner.
• Study spaces – Create a space for your child to do their homework that is conducive to learning. In addition to being comfortable, it should be well lit have plenty of flat surfaces for writing, and within view of a parent who can monitor their working habits. Get them in the habit of going to this place after their snack so that they can get work done early and while their mind is skill focused on school.
• Create a family schedule – Fall schedules are packed with activities. Create a calendar so everyone knows what is on tap for the week ahead.

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