Back to School is an exciting and nerve-wracking time for both kids and parents! Big changes are hard for anyone, but they can be especially difficult for our little ones. If your child is getting ready to start elementary school, here are 5 things to do in the week before to help prepare kids for back to school in order to feel secure: 

1. Gradually Change Wake-up and Bedtimes ⏰

It’s not easy for anyone to wake up at the first sound of an early morning alarm! Most parents know that children especially don’t do well with drastic changes to their schedules. That’s why it’s important to help kids slowly get accustomed to waking up earlier than they’re used to. After all, no one likes an early morning shock to the system, and getting grumpy kiddos ready for school is not an ideal situation. 

In the two weeks leading up to school, begin changing their wake-up and bedtimes by 15-minute increments. This will familiarize them with getting up each morning and going to bed each night at the set time for the school year. You’ll thank yourself when kids get into their school routine! 

2. Make a Habit of Preparing Backpacks the Night Before 🎒

We’ve all had those mornings where we can’t seem to pick the right outfit or find an important document– it starts the day off in a chaotic rush. In the week leading up to back to school, help your child get into the routine of preparing their school bag the night before.  This helps kids become familiar with the vocabulary and gives them autonomy over their routine.

You might have a visually displayed checklist for them to go through:

• Books
• Folders
• Writing utensils
• Art supplies
• Comfort toy
• Snack/lunch

Help them find a place where they can set up their bag so that they always know where it is when they’re walking out the door in the morning! 

3. Get in the Mindset of Learning 📚

Saying goodbye to the summer holidays is always bittersweet. But, the school year is also full of exciting things to look forward to! In the weeks leading up to school, get kids excited about learning and encourage their curiosity about all the different subjects. 

A great way to get into the mindset of learning, while still enjoying the last of the vacation time is through Playlearning™! Strengthen literacy and logic skills while playing interactive games. Your family can have a focused theme for each of the days leading up to school. For example, “Math Monday,” “Science Tuesday,” “Literacy Wednesday” and so on! 

4. Change Your Mealtimes 🍎

Meal and snack times are debatably one of the most important parts of our day! If your little one is accustomed to having a snack whenever they feel a twinge of hunger, it can be a difficult transition to the school schedule. 

We want our little ones to focus on what they’re learning in class and not worry about being hungry. That’s why it’s crucial to get kids on an eating schedule that is similar to the one they’ll have at school. Check out the school’s snack and lunch schedule so that you can eat at similar times during the week before. 

It might also be helpful to ask about the school’s policies on eating in the classroom and supporting hungry tummies.

5. Talk Kids Through Different School Situations ✏️

Going back to school is overwhelming for everyone! To help prepare kids for what to expect, your family can roleplay different school situations. Write down scenarios on cards and act out reactions as a family. This makes it a playful game while also relieving anxiety about situations that might come up. You can act out what to do, and what not to do! Feel free to add costumes and make it silly! 

Here are some ideas of situations to roleplay with your child:

• You want to read a book, but someone else got there first and is now reading it.
• You see another kid push someone on the playground. 
• You have to go to the bathroom but the teacher is talking to the class.
• You open your backpack and realize that you left your workbook at home. 

When it comes to getting kids ready to go back to school, the key is preparation! When their bodies are in a similar rhythm and they’ve practiced situations that might come up, they will feel more secure, confident, and excited to learn! 

Prepare Kids for Back to School with Lingokids 💙

A great way to prepare kids for back to school is to get them in the right mindset with Playlearning™! The Lingokids content is designed by our education team to be consistent with the curriculum of the 21st century. With Lingokids, your little one can practice literacy, STEM, math, social skills, and more! 

Interested in learning more about preparing for back to school with Lingokids? Download the app and check out our content on our YouTube channels! 

Parents, do you have any other tips on preparing kids for back to school? Let us know by tagging us on social media!