Getting Ready for Back to School
The new school year is upon us. Summer is winding down and it's time to close the loop on all of the back-to-school preparations. Here are a few important things to take care of before the school year starts. Don't panic - inhale, exhale and prepare. You've got this!
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Help your kiddos get back on a normal sleep schedule. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has recommended that children aged 6–12 years should regularly sleep 9–12 hours per 24 hours, and teenagers aged 13–18 years should sleep 8–10 hours per 24 hours. To learn more about these recommended sleep times, visit this website.
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Make sure they have completed their summer reading. Some teachers will assign a book report on such assigned summer reading, host open class discussions or even pop quizzes to measure comprehension. And besides, following through by reading the assigned summer material(s) is a good practice in accountability and responsibility.
- Purchase school supplies, including a new backpack and lunch bag. Be sure to check with your child's school to get their school supplies list so you don't purchase unnecessary supplies. And it's okay to encourage your child to use the same backpack or insulated lunch bag as they did last year, so long as they are in good condition. A gentle wash cycle followed by air drying outside can do wonders for a backpack! Let your kiddo purchase a couple of inexpensive, new keychains for their backpack and it will feel like new for a lot less money. There are also many local programs that offer assistance with school supplies. We mentioned a few in articles over the summer - check them out.
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Go back-to-school clothes shopping for apparel, shoes, undergarments, and accessories. When your child is proud of their clothes, it gives them a confidence boost. Of course, it's also great to practice frugality by "recycling" clothes from before the start of the school year, so long as they are in good condition, still fit well and fall within the acceptable guidelines of your child's school dress code.
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Plan ahead for lunch, snacks and drinks. If your child likes a homemade lunch, discuss what they'd like to have in their lunch ahead of time and grocery shop together. This will help avoid any unpleasant surprises and food waste if they don't like what you lovingly prepare for their lunch. While shopping, encourage healthy choices that will satisfy their cravings while giving them the energy they need to stay focused at school. Celery with a light sprinkle of salt is an excellent alternative to chips, and juicy orange slices are a perfect finish to a meal (especially on a hot day) instead of cookies. If your child eats lunch prepared at school, be sure to add money to their lunch account so they have funds available to purchase their lunches. In either case, don't forget to pack a filled, reusable water bottle!
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Make a plan for breakfast each school morning. Having breakfast before school helps kids have the energy they need to wake up and stay focused at school. Fortunately, it doesn't have to take a lot of time to make a healthy, nutritious breakfast. Whole wheat toast with scrambled eggs (whisked in the pan for faster cooking/prep time), original Cheerios with 1% milk and bananas and/or berries of their choice, or oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon are all healthy choices that will give their brains the fuel they need to succeed.
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Ensure that your child is up-to-date on all of their required vaccinations. Check the Texas Health and Human Services website for a comprehensive listing of required vaccines and schedules.
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If your child plans to participate in team sports and is required to complete a physical exam before the start of school, schedule a physical exam with their pediatrician or local health clinic.
- For kids who ride the bus to and/or from school, find out where your nearest bus stop is and what time pickup and drop-off is. Thanks to the internet, this information is readily available so you can quickly check eligibility and enroll online!
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Make it fun! If you are excited about their return to school, chances are that they will be, too.
Take it one step at a time and before you know it, you will be prepared and ready to confidently help your child begin the new school year. And remember to take care of yourself, moms, dads and caregivers. Find a way to celebrate in your own, unique way on the first day of school. After all of this super-parent prep and the official end of summer, you will have totally deserved it. Plan a coffee date with a friend, breakfast with your spouse or even a nap at home. Whatever you do, enjoy it!
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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