Back To School Tips For Elementary Students

Each new school year can bring about excitement and anxiety for elementary students and their parents. Parents become preoccupied with making sure their child is ready for the next step in their educational adventure. Simultaneously, their child can become overwhelmed with thoughts of meeting new classmates, having a new teacher, and studying new concepts. Here are some tips to make the transition from summer vacation back to school as smooth as possible.


1. Get back into your bedtime routine- Going to bed late and waking up late was fun during the summer. However, when the alarm sounds the morning of the first day of school most likely you will not burst out of bed eager to get to school. Start going to bed at your normal bedtime about 1 to 2 weeks before the first day of school. This will help you wake up well rested and ready for school.

2. Shop for school supplies early- Many stores start their Back-to-School sales around the middle of July. Staples, Wal-Mart, Target, Office Max, KMart, etc. have great sales on all of the essential school supplies. You may be able to get enough supplies to last for most of the school year.

3. Promote good study habits immediately- Teaching good study habits, rewarding results instead of effort, and teaching about quality work will provide a solid foundation for success for your child.

4. Equip your child with social skills for the classroom- Most children are nervous about the start of each school year. Even if they will have most of the same classmates, they will will be nervous about having a new teacher. Practicing proper greetings/introductions is a good way to help ease their mind.

5. Discuss bus safety- If applicable, discuss bus safety with your child. For example, boarding the bus one person at a time, quickly finding a seat, remaining seated during the bus ride, etc.)