4 Tips to Enter the School Year With Confidence

Heading back to school after a summer of adventure can lead to big feelings – excitement for new friends, nerves about uncertainty and even eagerness for learning. While many people benefit from routines, we understand that jumping into this new one can be intimidating. To help your child start the school year with confidence, we have some tips and tricks to get them looking forward to their first day!

Practice Your New Schedule

One way to get your family feeling prepared is to do a practice run of a typical school day. Set your alarms, gather your supplies and even drive the route to school to make sure you allow everyone enough time to avoid the panic of being late on day one. If your child is feeling rushed for time on your run-through, try putting some time-saving steps in place. Can you pack your bags together the night before? How about making lunch in the evening so it’s ready to grab on the way out of the door? Would your child feel prepared if they picked their outfits out for the whole week to eliminate last-minute morning decisions?

Create a Comfortable Homework Station

Homework is a necessary part of the school experience. It expands learning outside of the classroom and gives your child an opportunity to show what they know. Unfortunately, it can also come with feelings of anxiousness for many children. To counter this concern, help your child set up a safe homework space to put them in a better mood as they complete their required work. This activity shows you how!

Check Out Back-to-School Books

A great way to shake off first-day jitters is to read a story featuring a character overcoming some of the same fears! If your child is nervous to meet their teacher, you may want to read “A Letter From Your Teacher on the First Day of School” by Shannon Olsen to remind them that teachers support them as they grow. For children uncertain about starting in a new classroom with new challenges, “Junie B. Jones First Grader (At Last!)” by Barbara Park may offer encouragement. “The One and Only Stuey Lewis: Stories From the Second Grade” by Jane Schoenberg provides a series of short stories reminding kids that they can conquer anything with a little perseverance. For all your child’s first-day fears, there is a book that will show them they are not alone!

Make a List of Goals for the Year

Looking to the future can be scary, but it also can be so exciting. To help your child make their time in school feel more manageable, help them put together a list of goals that they hope to achieve in the classroom and at home. Do they want to read 50 books, learn a sport, make 10 new friends or try a food they’ve never eaten? The sky is the limit! Having fun achievements that align with your child’s interests can offer a sense of accomplishment and purpose. What reward will your child choose for reaching all their awesome aspirations this year?

Explore Our Blog

For more family fun and trends in STEM, we encourage you to visit our blog.