Back To School Prep

The start of a new school year can be exhilarating, stressful and downright exhausting. Proper planning and realistic expectations will keep life in balance. Here's how you can spend the last month of summer getting ready.

Easing Jitters

Go over your child's daily schedule and talk with her about what to expect in her new grade.
Visit your child's school or classroom before school starts to familiarize him with the space.
Help her identify what she's nervous about and brainstorm strategies.
Set healthy expectations about your child's grades.

Health & Safety Steps

Establish a bedtime and wake-up routine a couple weeks before school starts (your child needs at least 8-10 hours a night!).
Take care of required immunizations. Don't have a primary care doctor? Contact your city or county health department for free immunizations.
Teach your child about consent and setting personal boundaries.

Learning Starts at Home

Encourage your child to read and visit the library often! Reading is key to lifelong learning.
Eat meals together regularly. Studies show that it contributes to school success and positive influences!
Show your children that you value education and how we use it in our daily lives.
Encourage active learning - such as playing sports or board games, exploring outdoors or visiting museums.

Making Friends

Help your child practice introducing himself, using active listening, and treating everyone with respect.
Identify 3 topics of conversation when meeting someone new - such as TV or music.
Help your child choose a sport or group he can join.
Teach your child and yourself, in advance, how to stop and prevent bullying.

Most importantly? Listen to their needs and guide them as best you can in each part of the journey.

The Family Tree leads Maryland in preventing child abuse, connects caring communities, and builds strong families to improve society for generations. We create powerful changes in families that grow outward to positively impact their community and our state. For more parenting tips, visit familytreemd.org or follow us on social media.