This week I was excited to be back on set at the FOX 5 San Diego studio for a segment on how to make the back to school transition fun for kids. I loved being interviewed by Shally Zomorodi about this topic since it’s something every parent and every child deals with every year for 12+ years!
Below is a glimpse of the questions I was asked LIVE on the air, with even more tips that I didn’t have time to share during the segment!
How do you get the kids excited for the transition?
We make it playful and fun! We make a list of all the positive aspects of school. I text their friends’ parents to see who will be in their class, we plan a special back to school play date with friends, we go back to school shopping, and we even do a practice run a few days before school starts of what the first day will look like! We also create a back to school time capsule that they can add to throughout their grade/year! And we go to the grocery store and they get to pick out “special” snacks for their first week of school, like snacks I don’t typically buy throughout the year!
What helps you feel prepared?
I always like to start transitioning one week in advance. We slowly start going to bed earlier and earlier each night so we are at our ideal time the night before school starts. We like to go back to school shopping at least a week in advance to make sure they have everything they need like a backpack, lunch box, water bottle, supplies, first day of school outfit, etc. I also make sure I plan out my calendar/schedule and try to not plan anything extra the first week of school like doctor or dentist appointments, etc. We also practice getting up earlier a few days before, eat breakfast, and head out the door to go somewhere like the park or the grocery store at the same time as we would on a school day just to start gaining morning momentum!
How do you help the kids feel prepared?
I have the kids pick out and decorate a “homework” spot in the house where they want to come home and spend time after school. Even if they don’t have homework, this will be their reading spot. They can decorate with a pillow, a blanket, a poster, and maybe some books, art supplies, and school supplies! They also put name stickers on all of their belongings and lay out their first day of school outfit and their backpacks etc. the day before.
The Summer went fast, do you have any ideas to celebrate the end?
Yes! This is my favorite part about going back to school. I always let my kids pick a summer finale activity to celebrate the end of summer. It’s kind of a play-based “YES” day for them! Parents can make a list of pre-approved activities for their children to pick 1-2 from for one last summer finale activity! Again, each child in the family should pick their own special activity, unless you have more than 4 children, then you can group them by age or preference of activity. I suggest going to the beach, going to the pool, going to the park, going on a hike, or going to get ice cream or frozen yogurt! Then plan to do this activity a few days before school starts!
You like to plan a special 1st Day, what are ways to do that?
First I let my kids pick out a new first day of school outfit. Then we usually get frozen yogurt or ice cream after school with a friend/s so they have something to look forward to after the finish their first day. And sometimes they even pick out where they want to go to dinner or get to pick the dinner that they want me to make at home.
How do you keep the excitement going?
Each year I have my kids pick out a new subscription to a magazine like Highlights, National Geographic Kids or something similar. It’s exciting because they get something new each fall that lasts throughout the entire school year that belongs to just them. You can also sign your kids up for a new class each year to try new sports or activities like a new art or music class.
If you want to watch the full segment, CLICK HERE!
Have any other ideas? I’d love to know!!
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