6 Ways to Ease Yourself and Your Kids Back to School
A Blog Post by Helaina Cappel
Teacher & Board Game Publisher
Published August 24, 2016
If you are anything like me (read: parent, teacher, entrepeneur, cook ...), back to school is chaotic, yet satisfying. I have finally gotten to the point in the summer where I can say, "it's time to go back" without feeling sad that the summer is ending. But as much as I want it, I also realize how hard it is to get back into a routine. That's why I have come up with this helpful list to get you and your kids back into the school year groove with ease.
1. Start Bedtime Earlier
That 9pm bedtime just won't do for the school year. Kids need their sleep to re-up for learning new things. It's difficult to get your kids to go to bed an hour or two earlier when they have become accustomed to staying up to watch just one more inning of the ball game. Ease your kids into a routine one week before school starts. On your first day, begin bedtime 10 minutes earlier. Do 10 minutes earlier each night for about a week and they will be back to normal in no time.
2. Start Waking Earlier
Just like going to sleep earlier, your kids are going to have to wake up earlier. But doing that all at once might prove to be a difficult task. If you wake them up earlier in small increments, they will never notice you are waking them earlier.
3. Play Games
This one isn't usually on your typical "back-to-school" list. Yes, I said play games. What better way to get kids back into making decisions, taking turns, and cooperation. Games allow all of this to happen. I'm not talking your typical Math game or Snakes n' Ladders, I'm talking about real games where your kids have to think and make real decisions. Here are a few that I recommend:
Imagine: The Animated Guessing Game
Gamewright Publishing
Ages: 12+ (although we have played with our 6 year old)
No. of Players: 3 - 8
Time: 20 min.
What's so special: This game includes really cool transparent cards with icons on them. Use them to communicate with other players.
Educational Value: Non-verbal communication, thinking, acting.
Thinkfun
Ages: 8+
No. of Players: 1 (solo game)
Time: as long as the puzzle takes to solve
What's so special: This maze gets you to use your problem solving skills to bend a lazer with mirrors to get the end.
Educational Value: STEM, analytical thinking, Mathematics.
Peaceable Kingdom
Ages: 4+
No. of Players: 2 - 4
Time: 15 min.
What's so special: Work together to get your Owls home.
Educational Value: Cooperative, colour matching, very simple strategy.
4. Begin a Reading Ritual
Whether it is before bedtime, or to relax in the afternoon, start your kids reading every day. Any book will do. But make sure it is one that your kids enjoy. After all, it is still summer.
5. Prepare Frozen Lunches
My least favourite thing in the morning (besides dragging my youngest out of bed) is making lunches. What is most important to me is sending the kids with healthy lunches that will carry them through the day. So, I prefer to pack a lunch that takes very little time to make and is healthy. About two weeks before the school year begins, I begin preparing. I believe in freezing and thawing for lunches. Here are some of the lunches I have made so far this summer (with links to some recipes):
~ Mac n' Cheese Cups - using a muffin tin, add a few scoops of Mac n' Cheese (I prepare my own), a few small florets of broccoli, and fill the spaces with egg to hold it together. Bake in the oven for a while.
~ Cheddar and Broccoli Bites - cheese and broccoli together at last
~ Mini Pizzas - I take the easy route with this one. I use flat round buns, cut in half to line a cookie sheet. I slather tomato sauce on each one, cover it with baby spinach, and finally place a slice of cheese on it. I bake it until the cheese is melted. After it has cooled completely, I put it in a bag in the freezer. I probably have about 20 lunches worth right now. Lucky kids!
~ Scrambled Egg Muffins - they are exactly what they sound like. Scrambled eggs, cheese, and veggies. Bake in the oven. Freeze to store.
~ French Toast Fingers - just your regular old French Toast, cut into "fingers". I use sprouted seed bread for extra fiber and protein. I pack it in lunches with a mixture of cream cheese and maple syrup for dipping.
6. Change Their Mindset
It is really difficult emotionally, and sometimes physically to get back into the school year. After two months of playing with friends, running through sprinklers, and bike riding, it's tough to put the brakes on. Kids often worry about who their teacher is going to be and who might sit next to them in class. Start talking to your kids about who their potential teachers might be, and which of their friends they hope to have in their class. Also, discuss what they are going to improve on at school this year. As a teacher, I ask this question of my students every year. It is difficult for them to answer if they have never thought about it before.