We all know how it goes. One minute it's barely June and the whole summer is ahead of you, then you blink and suddenly school is about to start! There's a lot of excitement, anxiety, and things to juggle at the end of summer and it's easy to feel overwhelmed by it all. I couldn't possibly sum up everything that needs to be done when preparing for school, but I can give you five things that will help you get yourself and your children ready.
1) Build a Routine
During the school year, most children's schedules become a lot more regular. Everything starts to revolve around the school day- their meals, their sleep, their free time. Going from a summer with few time constraints directly to the busy and consistent school week can be hard. Getting up early after a summer of sleeping in is especially difficult! Starting to work back into that routine even before the school year starts is a great way to make that transition easier.
2) Get Supplies
Clothes, books, pencils, calculators; there's all sorts of things students need as the school year begins. Luckily most schools will give parents a school supply list with all the things their child needs. Getting a start on that shopping earlier rather than waiting for the last minute is always a good idea. It's so much less stressful to just have it all done and ready to go. If you want to check out St. Stephen Lutheran School's supply list, look on our parent resource page!
3) Communicate with School Staff
Speaking of our resource page, that's one of the ways we communicate useful information to parents. As the school year approaches there's all sorts of emails, forms, and other communications from the school. Paying attention to that information will make sure you don't have any surprises. It's also helpful for your teachers if you make sure to share anything they might need beyond the information required by registration forms. Lastly, most schools will have a Back to School night. This is a great opportunity for school and parents to share important information.
4) Exercise Their Brains
Just as we can exercise our physical bodies, our brains also benefit from exercise. It's always important to keep our brain working hard, but it's especially important for kids getting ready for school. A lot of the things that give a person's brain a "work out" (for instance, memorizing, critical reasoning, and learning new skills) are an integral part of school. Reading regularly, getting physical exercise, and playing games that challenge the mind are good ways for a child to keep their brain "in shape" and ready for the next school year.
5) Pray
You probably won't see this on a lot of back to school lists, but it's vitally important. When we're facing stressful or busy times, it can be easy to forget that God is our greatest resource and help. Prayer is a wonderful way to focus our minds back on our Savior, reminding us what's really important. Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I wish you the Lord's blessings on your back to school preparations and the school year ahead!
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