Back-to-School tips with The Parenting Center

As summer comes to an end, The Parenting Center at Children’s Hospital wants to make sure that parents and kids are prepared to make the transition back to school easier for everyone. Check out our expert tips for starting the school year off right.

Start adjusting your routine

Experts agree that it is best to gradually move bedtime up in increments, so the new schedule does not feel like such a shock. If your child has been going to bed at 10 pm, try 9:45 pm for a few nights before you push it back to 9:30 pm. Keep doing this until you reach the desired bedtime. Don’t forget to adjust your wake-up time accordingly.

Many parents feel particularly overwhelmed in the mornings, and getting out of the door can be a challenge. Make it a habit to do as much as possible the night before. Prepare clothes or uniforms for the next day, and have bags packed and ready to go. Make sure to allow enough time for breakfast, even if it is something quick such as yogurt, fruit, or cereal. A well balanced breakfast kickstarts metabolism and is important for your child’s energy and ability to learn.

Younger children

If you have a younger child that has never been to school before, the first day can be intimidating. You may want to drive by their new school a few times before they officially start. Take advantage of any opportunity to visit the school, meet the teacher, and see the classroom. Your child should know their full name as well as the grade that they are starting. If possible, escort your child to the classroom on the first day, or have an older sibling or friend help. Also, make sure your child knows how they will be getting home.

Older children

In addition to getting school supplies and uniforms, parents of older children will want to make sure that any summer work or summer reading is complete. You can assist your child by calculating how much needs to get done each day in order to meet their deadline. For example, your child will finish her work in a week if she reads one chapter and completes two math pages a day. Encourage your child to do this first each morning, before starting something else.

This is also a good time for your older child to set some goals for the upcoming school year. These could be academic goals for the child that wants to maintain an “A” average in a certain class or read a certain number of books during the year. Other worthwhile goals might include making new friends or trying a new after-school sport. A child that is motivated and ready to work hard can accomplish anything.

Katie Dilzell, M.Ed.

Parent Educator

The Parenting Center

If you have questions for the Parenting Center at Children's Hospital, please call 504.896.9591 or email chparenting@lcmchealth.org. 

To learn more about The Parenting Center's resources and classes, visit  www.chnola.org/services/the-parenting-center/