Category: Back to school

Back-to-school time is here! Whether your little one has just started preschool for the first time or is coming back for another year, the transition to a structured routine away from home can be difficult. While big gestures can help ease the transition, small rituals that you do every day can make a big difference when it’s time to go back to school. In this blog, we’ll talk about a few small rituals that can help calm big emotions and ease the transition!

Morning and Prep Rituals

The Launch Pad

Place a basket or container by your front door with shoes and backpacks. This way there is no scramble to look for them in the morning. To add a little fun to the morning, place a mat next to the basket and consider that the “launch pad.” Once your little one is ready to leave, they can launch from the mat into their day!

The Five-Minute Pause

This is helpful for both you and your little ones. Start your day by waking up at least five minutes before your children, giving yourself a moment of solitude to prepare yourself for the day. You can also pass this time on to your child by waking them up with enough time for them to have at least five minutes of quiet time before they need to start getting ready for school.

Playlist Kickoff

Have your child help you pick out a few songs to start their day off. You can add their favorite upbeat songs that will help energize them and start their day off on a good note. The routine of listening to the playlist will help them associate something positive with their morning routine.

Special Breakfast or Drink

If you’re looking for more ways to create positive associations with their school routine, having a special breakfast or drink can help! You can pick your little one’s favorite breakfast or special drink and reserve it only for days that your child goes to school. This can help make school days special.

Drop-Off and Connection Rituals

The Secret Handshake

Have your child help you create a unique high-five, wave, or short phrase whispered right before getting out of the car or at the door to school. This can help provide your child with some comfort right before the day begins. 

The Car Ride Decompress

If your child is having a hard time transitioning from the school day to going home, a car ride decompress could be helpful. Try keeping the first few minutes of the afternoon ride home quiet or low-volume. Letting kids transition without an immediate barrage of questions or conversation can help make the process less overwhelming. 

Shed The Day

Have the first rule when you get home be to take off their shoes and backpack in a designated spot by the door. This way they can physically shed the school day off of them, making the transition to being at home easier. 

Afternoon Snack

Just like having a special breakfast food or drink, you can try the same thing with an afternoon snack. Have a special treat for after school to give your little one something to be excited for after school.

Back-to-school season can be overwhelming for a lot of students. Whether your little one is starting school for the first time or even going back to a school they love, the transition to the school year can be overwhelming. Most back-to-school blues will go away with time, but there are a few things you can do to help your child navigate this transition and find the joy in going back to school. In this blog, we’ll discuss five tips that you can use to help your child beat the back-to-school blues!

Get Your Child’s Input On School-Related Activities

If your child is having a hard time adjusting to being back at school, get them involved in some of the school-related activities that they can handle for their age. Whether it’s picking up any last-minute supplies, helping you pack their lunch the night before, picking out their outfits for school, or working to set up a homework area in their room, give them agency where you can. Feeling involved in the school process can help make it feel like school is something they get to have an opinion about, rather than something they’re just forced to do. 

Prioritize Family Fun

While your child is getting adjusted to school, now is a great time to amp up the family time and fun activities. Whether it’s a big weekend trip to your child’s favorite place or having dedicated family time every night where you read a book or do a craft, this extra special time can help ease the jangled nerves from being back at school. 

Keep Up Routines On The Weekend

If your child struggles with sticking to their routine during the week, it’s important that you keep that routine up during the weekend or any breaks too. This can help reduce the strain your child feels reacclimating to their schedule change during the week.

Practice Independence & Self-Help Skills

Working on practicing independence at home can help make the school day easier. Depending on how old your child is, practice the self-help skills that can make school day tasks easier. Whether it’s opening their lunchbox, tying their shoes, or being able to take off their jacket, having the independence to do some of these activities on their own can help make the school day feel easier, as they get used to the adults in the room, they’ll have to ask for help.

Listen To What Your Child Has To Say

Even though your child has to go to school, listening ot their reasons why they’re having a hard time can help give you insight into which parts of the process they’re struggling with. By talking through these things with your child, you can not only get a better grasp on some ways you can help them adjust, but you will also be making them feel seen and heard. Even if there isn’t anything you can change, giving your child the space to openly talk about their fears can help them feel more supported!

Starting preschool is always an exciting and emotional time for both you and your child. Beginning preschool is a big milestone in your child’s life, and it is also often a big transition for them. While most children will struggle to some degree with adjusting to starting preschool, it is possible to help ease this transition and soothe these big feelings. In this blog, we’ll discuss some things you can do to help your soon-to-be preschooler with this transition. 

Visit the school together

If your child is starting preschool at a new school, doing a walk-through of the school with them is a great way to ease some of the transition stress. They’ll be able to see exactly where they’re going, and being familiar with the environment can help reduce the stress and overstimulation of the first day!

Play school together at home

A great low-pressure way to help your child get prepared for preschool is to play school at home! This is a way to show your child some of what their new routine will look like in a way they can conceptualize. Switch it up and have your child be a student and the teacher. This pretend play is a great way to introduce your child to preschool and will help lessen the stress of the first day. 

Have a goodbye plan

Coming up with a goodbye plan is a great way to make that transition during the first few days easier. Go over saying goodbye with your child beforehand and reassure them that you will see them soon at the end of the school day. Incorporate something fun and meaningful for your child into your goodbye, like a secret handshake. This can help make saying goodbye fun instead of sad or overwhelming. 

Read books about preschool

Reading books about preschool can show your child a glimpse of what the experience will be like and give your child the opportunity to learn about the experience and ask questions that may come up as they read, and get to know what preschool is going to be like. 

Listen to your child’s concerns

The easiest way to know what your child’s fears are about preschool is to hear about them in their own words. Once you hear from them what they’re worried about, you can start having conversations that address their concerns. Some of the other strategies mentioned may be helpful when your child expresses their concerns. 

Start your routine early

Creating a new routine and starting it early is SO important! Waiting until the morning of their first day of preschool to have them dress themselves, get up earlier, not have tablet time, leave the house before playing, etc. will only result in more feelings of distress on the first day. Ease your child into their new routine and find ways to incorporate moments that will help them feel calmer and comfortable. 

As the school year begins, one of the most valuable gifts parents can give their preschoolers is the stability and predictability of a consistent routine. For young children, routines are much more than just a series of scheduled activities; they are the building blocks of a successful and stress-free school experience. Establishing a school routine helps preschoolers develop better focus, exhibit improved behavior, and transition smoothly into the school year. In this blog, we’ll explore why a consistent routine is so crucial for young children.

Better Focus and Learning

A well-structured routine helps preschoolers know what to expect, which reduces anxiety and allows them to focus better on learning. In school and at home, they’ll come to understand that certain times are designated for specific activities—such as playtime, storytime, snack time, dinner, or bedtime—which can mentally prepare them for these tasks. This mental preparation fosters concentration and engagement, enabling children to absorb new information more effectively.

Improved Behavior

Predictability is comforting for young children. When they know what’s coming next, they feel secure and are less likely to act out. Consistent routines reduce the uncertainty that can lead to anxiety and disruptive behavior. When preschoolers are aware of the rules and the sequence of activities, they’re more likely to follow directions and less likely to resist transitions.

Smoother Transition into the School Year

The start of the school year can be a challenging time for both preschoolers and their parents. Establishing a routine early on can make this transition much easier. When children have a clear understanding of what their day will look like, they feel more confident and comfortable in their new environment. This familiarity helps them adjust to the new demands of preschool without feeling overwhelmed.

Building Independence and Responsibility

Routines also help preschoolers develop a sense of independence and responsibility. By following a routine, children learn to manage their time and tasks. Over time, they can begin to take ownership of parts of their routine, such as putting away toys after playtime or helping to set the table for meals. This sense of responsibility not only boosts their confidence but also instills important life skills that will benefit them as they grow.

Enhancing Emotional Well-being

Routines contribute to a child’s emotional well-being. The predictability of a routine provides a sense of security, which is essential for emotional stability. When children know what to expect, they feel in control of their environment, which reduces stress and anxiety. This emotional stability is crucial for their overall development and helps them navigate the ups and downs of daily life with greater resilience.

As the end of summer approaches, you may start to feel the pressure of making the most out of the rest of summer vacation. You may also have a little one who is starting to get nervous about starting school. This time can be an excellent opportunity to create lasting memories, strengthen family bonds, and prepare your preschooler for the upcoming school year. In this blog, we’ll explore some fun and engaging activities to help you make the most of the rest of summer break.

Outdoor Adventures

Nature Walks: Explore local parks or nature reserves with your preschooler. Turn the walk into an educational experience by discussing the different plants, animals, and insects you encounter and discuss how they might learn about some of these topics in school this year. Collect leaves, flowers, and stones to create a nature collage at home.

Picnic in the Park: Pack a healthy lunch and head to your local park for a picnic. Bring along a blanket, some toys, and a few books to enjoy a relaxed afternoon outdoors.

Backyard Camping: Set up a tent in your backyard for a night of camping under the stars. Roast marshmallows, tell stories, and enjoy the novelty of sleeping outside.

Creative Play at Home

DIY Art Projects: Gather some craft supplies and let your preschooler’s creativity shine. Try out some sensory projects, crafts that can help talk about school, or projects that your little one can use at preschool like a decorated lunchbook to remind them of you if they’re having a hard time adjusting!

Water Play: Set up a small pool or water table in your backyard. Add some toys, cups, and sponges to make it more interactive. If you don’t have a pool, a sprinkler or even just a hose can provide hours of entertainment.

Build a Fort: Use blankets, pillows, and chairs to create a cozy fort in the living room. Let your child bring in their favorite toys or books, and spend time reading or playing inside.

Visit Local Attractions

Children’s Museums: Many museums have exhibits and activities designed specifically for young children. Spend a day exploring a local children’s museum, where your preschooler can learn through play. Children’s museums can also provide your child a chance to socialize with other children!

Farms and Petting Zoos: Visiting a farm or petting zoo can be an exciting way for your child to interact with animals. Many farms also offer berry picking or hayrides, adding to the fun.

Aquariums and Zoos: Spend a day at the aquarium or zoo, where your child can see and learn about various animals. These outings are both fun and educational, making them perfect for summer days.

Prepare for the School Year

Back-to-School Shopping: Turn back-to-school shopping into a special event. Let your preschooler pick out a new backpack, lunchbox, or outfit for the first day of school. This can help build excitement for the upcoming school year.

Set Up a School Routine: Start adjusting your child’s bedtime and morning routine a few weeks before school starts. This gradual change will make the transition easier when school begins.

Practice Learning Skills: Use the remaining days of summer to practice essential skills like recognizing letters, counting, or writing their name. Make it fun by incorporating games, songs, or outdoor activities.

Family Time

Movie Nights: Choose a family-friendly movie, make some popcorn, and have a movie night at home. This simple activity can become a weekly tradition that your preschooler looks forward to. If your child is feeling particularly nervous about starting school, choose a movie where the main character overcomes their fears.

Cooking Together: Involve your preschooler in preparing simple meals or snacks. Whether it’s making sandwiches, decorating cookies, or assembling a fruit salad, cooking together can be a fun and educational experience.

Storytime: Set aside time each day to read with your child. Visit the library to pick out new books, or revisit old favorites. Storytime not only helps develop literacy skills but also provides a quiet moment to connect.

Back-to-school crafts are more than a cute activity your child might do during their first day of school. These crafts are a great opportunity to start talking to your child about school and getting them excited! Whether your child is a toddler starting daycare, preschool-aged, or getting ready for a transition to a new school for kindergarten or first grade, the transition may feel overwhelming for them. Working on these crafts together is a way to introduce them to some of the things they will be encountering during their school day like lunch time or riding the bus. The crafts below are just a few ideas that will give you the opportunity to jump-start conversations about the nerves and excitement your little one has for starting school!

Countdown to Preschool Craft

This adorable countdown to preschool craft is a fun craft to do whether your child is starting preschool or kindergarten, or your toddler is starting a full-time daycare. You and your little one can make the craft together and then every day when your child pulls a chain off, take the opportunity to talk to them about school. Each day have them either ask you a question about school, talk about what they’re nervous about, talk about what they’re excited about, or even tell them things about school that they can look forward to!

Silly Face Sandwich Bags

This craft is super fun and easy! If you’re planning to use sandwich bags in your child’s lunch then you already have the majority of the craft in your house! You can use googly eyes or even just markers! Silly sandwich bags are an easy way to give your child something to look forward to during their first few days of school. If they’re having a hard time adjusting at first, they will at least know they have something to look forward to at lunchtime and will have a happy reminder of you and the fun you had making them!

School Bus Craft

A school bus craft is a quintessential back-to-school craft! If your little one will be riding the bus this year, this is a great craft to make, and talk to them about what that experience will be like! If your little one is still too young to take the bus but they have an older sibling that does, this craft can still be a fun way to make them feel included in that school experience and excited for when they will finally get to ride a school bus too!

Is your child dealing with the back to school blues already? Even children who love going to school can have a hard time with the transition from summer vacation to going back to school. We’ve written out eight ideas to help your child with the transition back to school, including ideas for the weeks leading up to the first day to the weeks following the first day of school. Whether you’ve got a preschooler starting school for the first time or an older child who’s having a hard time going back, we have some ideas for you!

Re-Decorate Their Homework Space

Even if your child is younger and doesn’t have homework yet, you can still create a special learning space for them! For younger ones, create a book nook area where you can read with them. As your child gets older you can evolve the space to include different things like letters, numbers, shapes, etc. For older children that have regular homework that takes more than a few minutes a day to do, help your child create a comfortable and fun homework space that they can decorate how they like. If you have the room, create a dedicated homework space! Creating a physical homework space helps create a homework mindset. Similar to having an office or desk at work, if your child has a specific place where they do just homework, the process of doing homework can be less distracting. If they do their homework in the same place they watch TV, play video games, or have family time, trying to do their homework without being distracted by those activities can be more difficult.

Share Your Love for Learning

A great way to get your children excited about school is to instill a love of learning in them1 Share your own passion for learning and your positive experiences in school. You can talk to them about what subjects you liked, teachers you remember, your favorite books, and what you loved most about school.

For older children, take an active role in getting them excited about classes, homework, reading, etc. Don’t treat these activities like an obligation that you have to help with. If you’re encouraging and positive in your approach to their schoolwork, it will be easier for your children to see the positivity and excitement in these activities

Have Conversations

It’s important to remember that your children are little people with big feelings! This may seem obvious, but sometimes it’s easy to forget that our little ones are feeling just as many emotions as we are, but they often lack the tools they need to process those emotions. That is why having conversations about your child’s fears and stress is so important. Sometimes your child may need guidance and sometimes they just need you to listen and give them a hug! Either way, having conversations with your child, big or small, is an important way to help them feel more at ease with transitioning back to school!

Get Them Involved In Back To School Shopping

The older your child is, the more likely they will already be involved in the back to school shopping process, but even your preschool-aged children can get in on the fun! Shopping with young ones, especially if you’re in a hurry, can be overwhelming! So if you can, set out a chunk of time well in advance to take your little ones back to school shopping. Allow them to have a say in their new clothes, lunch bags and backpacks, and supplies!

Spread Positivity

As your child is headed back to school, try your best to keep the conversations surrounding school and school work positive! You can and should still let your child express their feelings, even if they’re negative, and validate them! But try to provide positive feedback as much as you can! Whether it’s a school assignment they feel wasn’t good enough or a classroom experience they wish went better, offer positive encouragement and motivation! 

Pick A First Day Outfit

This one may seem obvious, especially if your child is older, but letting your child pick their first day of school outfit is a great way to get them excited for school! Let them be a part of school clothes shopping and make sure they pick out something they’ll be excited to wear or use on the first day. Whether it’s a new outfit, new shoes, or a piece of jewelry, find something that’s special for their first day that fits what your child gets excited about!

Do A Countdown

Create a countdown with your child to get them excited about counting down the days until they go back to school! In our latest blog, we mentioned a countdown craft that is a great activity to do with your preschool-aged child to get them excited for school!

If you want to take the countdown a step further, you can get small gifts for your child during the countdown to school! Include books, toys, their favorite treats, special activities, or whatever else you think will get your child excited for school!

Make The First Day Memorable

Start traditions that make the first day of school memorable and exciting! Think of things that your kids will enjoy like:

• Making a special breakfast
• Packing their favorite lunch
• Planning something fun after school for them to look forward to
• Celebrate back to school eve the night before 

Not only is this a great way to ease the stress of the first day, but it can be the start of a fun family tradition!

Starting preschool is always an exciting and emotional time for both you and your child. Beginning preschool is a big milestone in your child’s life but it is also often a big transition for them as well. Unless your child is in daycare for the equivalent amount of days and hours that they’ll be attending preschool, this transition can often be difficult. Even if they’re currently in daycare, this transition can still be difficult especially if they’ll be going to a new school or center. 

How Can I Prepare My Child for Preschool?

Visit the school together

At Creative Learning we have daycare classes as well as preschool classes, so when a child transitions from our daycare class to preschool, they are staying in the same building they’re familiar with. However, this is not the case for all students entering preschool or even all of our own preschool students. If your child is starting preschool at a new school, doing a walk-through of the school with them is a great way to ease some of the transition stress. They’ll be able to see exactly where they’re going and being familiar with the environment can help reduce the stress and overstimulation of the first day!

Play school together at home

A great low-pressure way to help your child get prepared for preschool is to play school at home! This is a way to show your child some of what their new routine will look like in a way they can conceptualize. Switch it up and have your child be a student and the teacher. This pretend play is a great way to introduce your child to preschool and will help lessen the stress of the first day. 

Start your routine early

Creating a new routine and starting it early is SO important! Waiting until the morning of their first day of preschool to have them dress themselves, get up earlier, not have tablet time, leave the house before playing, etc. will only result in more feelings of distress on the first day. Ease your child into their new routine and find ways to incorporate moments that will help them feel more calm and comfortable. 

Have a goodbye plan

Coming up with a goodbye plan is a great way to make that transition during the first few days easier. Go over saying goodbye with your child beforehand and reassure them that you will see them soon at the end of the school day. Incorporate something fun and meaningful for your child into your goodbye like a secret handshake, a code word, or a special hug. This can help make saying goodbye fun instead of sad or overwhelming. 

Read books about preschool

A great way to help prepare your child for preschool is to read books about preschool! Reading books about preschool can show your child a glimpse of what the experience will be like and gives your child the opportunity to learn about the experience and ask questions that may come up as they read and get to know what preschool is going to be like. By reading these books they will also hopefully get excited for different activities like story time or lunch.

Listen to your child’s concerns

Listen to the concerns or questions your child has about preschool. The easiest way to know what their fears are about preschool is to hear about them in their own words. Once you hear from them what they’re worried about you can start having conversations that address their concerns. Some of the other strategies mentioned may be helpful when your child expresses their concerns. For example, if they say they’re nervous about knowing where to go at school, that would be a great opportunity to ask the preschool if you can do a walk-through so your child can get acclimated.  

“Listen” to your child’s nonverbal cues

Paying attention to what your child isn’t saying is just as important as listening to what they are saying. Nonverbal cues can be a great indicator of how your child is actually feeling. Anyone can say they’re okay but a child will show their true feelings through their actions. Pay attention to excessive clinginess, anger, outbursts, or withdrawing behavior around the time of their transition to preschool. When you notice this behavior, try to discuss which of their needs aren’t being met which is causing the action. Paying attention to these cues is a great insight into how your child’s feeling and what they might need more or less of during this transition.

Work on self-help skills

Another way to help reduce the stress your child will feel during the first few days of school is to work on their self-help skills beforehand. This can include taking off their coat, unzipping their backpack, and opening their lunch. While your child’s preschool teachers will obviously be able to help with these activities if your child can’t do them solo, having to ask for help can be stressful for some children. So helping them feel a little bit of independence by being able to perform some of these tasks is a good way to lessen their stress. Helping your child learn how to feel comfortable asking for help is also a good way to lessen the stress they’ll feel!

Make new friends

If possible, try to connect with the parents of some of your child’s future classmates. Organize a few play dates so that your children can get to know each other and build friendships. Having a few friends or even just kids they know can be very helpful with the transition of starting preschool. Socialization and friendship-making skills are very important for your child to learn so you may feel hesitant and want them to make friends naturally, however, your children will have the opportunity to make new friends not only in preschool but in all grades moving forward. Starting school with a friend or two in their class won’t ruin their social skills but it will help them feel more comfortable with the transition. 

Tell them about your experiences

Lastly, tell your child about your own experience with starting school! Telling them about the things you were nervous about and how you got through it is a great way to help your child feel seen and heard. Also, tell them about what you found the most fun during school. That way, throughout the day your child can be on the lookout for the things you enjoyed and will have an idea of some of the things to expect. Sharing your own experiences is a great way to connect with your child and help them feel more secure in starting school themselves.