How to Get the Kids Back into School Mode

So it's that time of year again, time when parents send the kids off to new academic adventures. Perhaps there are new teachers, new classes and new friends to encounter. Whatever the challenges, there are some things you can do to make an easier transition when the first day of school arrives.
1. Get your children's sleep patterns back on schedule. If you are like most people, sleep patterns for children vary a bit during the summer. But many studies show that sleep is critical to the success of a student. Try rolling back the child's bedtime ½ hour each week until s/he is back on their normal school bedtime. It will make that first month of school much smoother.
2. Feel free to go see the room and meet the teacher ahead of time. This is especially true if your child has any kind of learning challenges. Teachers appreciate knowing that they are supported by the parents, and it helps them keep your son or daughter at the top of their mind. Even if your child gets the occasional poor teacher, just knowing that you are paying particular attention to your child's academic progress keeps them working harder.
3. Grab the school supplies early. The sales really help keep costs down, but also there are more choices in the store for the students if you shop ahead of time. It also allows time to locate the unusual item that many not be at the first store. Pack the supplies in your child's backpack and set aside for a quick grab on the first morning.
4. Find some quiet time to visit with your child about his/her upcoming year. You might have the conversation over dinner, or washing dishes, or shooting some hoops. Find out if s/he has any concerns or anticipates any problems. Ask what s/he has heard about his/her teachers. If your son or daughter is worried about a bully, for example, role play so s/he can get some tactics down to deal with stressful situations. Develop a strategy for getting homework done more effectively.
5. Keep vigilant about older students as well as the younger ones. I can't tell you how many times parents have told me that they "don't need to worry about their kids now that they have gotten into high school." As a former teacher, I often mentor teens and their parents. One of the things I emphasize is that as the student gets older, parents need to take a more active role in helping them plan their courses, helping them set and meet goals to fit their individual needs. For example, one mother confided that she was very concerned that her son was not challenged in high school, and would graduate with an inferior academic background. With my direction, she approached the counselors in his ninth grade year, got him into the challenging classes he wanted, and when he graduated a few years later, he had most of his first year of college completed for free.
It's not uncommon for kids to have trouble sleeping the night before they go to school. But being more prepared can help ease those concerns a bit, maybe for both children and their parents. Hopefully these tips can help you make that first day of school go smoother and both you and your child can enjoy the new academic year.