There are a number of things that can make the new school year begin smoothly. Here are some hints and tips to help you get organised and keep the stress to a minimum. Our back to school checklist should get your started.
General back to school checklist
- LABELS for all clothing, shoes, drink bottle, containers, backpack etc (I used Stuck on you and they were fabulous, stuck well and lasted all year)
- Uniform, including school hat
- Comfortable shoes that can be worn a whole day
- Sunscreen, use before school and teach your child to reapply at lunch time. Roll on is easiest
- Lunchbox that your child has practised opening
- Freezer brick to keep lunch cold through summer
- Separate container for morning tea
- Drink bottle
- Backpack
- Spare clothes and shoes in case of an accident in a plastic bag (which can then be used for dirty clothes)
- If this is your child’s first year, walk past the school, talk about how exciting it is, go play in the school playground. Get them comfortable with the idea.
Checklist for home
- Find a place to keep the backpack when your child gets home
- Check the backpack every day for notes and any half eaten food.
- Find a place to keep the notes and copy important dates onto the calendar
- Create a system to store the copious amount of art and creations sent home
- Bookmark the school website, join their facebook page and subscribe to their newsletter to keep up to date
Checklist for lunch
- Get school lunch ready the night before or at least pre-planned, you will be surprised how time flies in the morning
- Fill drink bottles and keep them in the fridge
- Put the freezer brick back in the freezer
- Make a batch of muffins, biscuits, slice on the weekend so you have snacks ready to go
REMEMBER: DO NOT be late to school
- Be organised and be on time, it is not fair on your child when they are late
- Be on time/early to pick your child up
Help your child to settle in
- Be prepared for tears with starting school and be ready to stay a while
- If your child is not coping discuss tactics with the teacher eg shorter days, your child starting a little later when everything is settled.
Parent helpers in your child’s class
- DO it
- This helps you know what your child is doing and gives your child such excitement and pride that their parent helped out