Back to School Checklist After Long Summer-break

How to be prepared for school? After a long summer break, it is exciting for your child to go back to school, to meet his friends, share his experiences and listen to theirs. While it is exciting for your child, it is also a time where you need to plan properly for the new term. New books, new uniform and new class everything. 

Anirudh was looking forward to going back to school. 6 weeks of holidays were coming to an end. Anirudh’s mother also heaved a sigh of relief. Indeed it is a common scenario.

I dread going to the market just before the beginning of a new term. Parents and children come in droves and flood the market. My neighbor felt. I often wonder why parents wait until the last minute to buy stuff for the new term. One parent was screaming at the shoe salesman. Is that not unfair?

What to Prepare If Child Back-to-School After Summer Break?

So, how do you ensure that everything goes smoothly for the new term without any hassle? Our Education expert Swapna Nair tells you how, in her check-list. Read on…

What to Prepare 7-10 Days Before?

• The Uniform Story: If you have stitched the uniform then please make your kids try them out a week before the school reopens. During the vacations, children experience a growth spurt so trying out the uniform a week before will avoid last-minute stress. The same goes for shoes.
• Stationery & Accessories: Plan to shop for all the accessories and stationery 10 days ahead. Please buy food grade plastic lunch boxes. Since it is getting warmer by the year it is wiser to buy water bottles that carry a minimum of 1.5 liters. If schools provide water then a 1-liter bottle should suffice. Buy enough pens, pencils, eraser, scale, etc. for the year. School bags should be bigger when the children move from primary to middle school.
• Books: Cover and label the textbooks and notebooks a week ahead.
• Help your child to go through the contents of the textbooks. It would be wise to read at least the first chapter to have an idea what lies ahead. When children go prepared to class they are more confident and motivated.
• Begin to alter the sleep and meal pattern of children in line with the school timings. It would help the late riser especially if you start putting them to bed/waking them according to the school schedule. Same goes with meals too. If they eat according to the school schedule it is easier for them to adapt. This will, in turn, help the parents also to readjust their schedules too. It will help parents to physically and mentally get ready along with their children

One parent said that she keeps a checklist 10 days before stuck on the fridge to help her prepare for the new term. She even plans for lunch to be sent for the first week. This gets her motivated and in turn, helps her to set a positive tone. This is actually a wonderful idea. It is important that both parent and child to be prepared and motivated for the new term. [Read More - 7 Easy Back-to-School Tips]

As children grow older it would be best if they have their own space/ table to study. It would give them ownership.

• Most importantly have a quality conversation with your child. Discuss with them about their school life in the past year- academic and personal. If they had any issues with learning or with studies, then you may plan to equip them accordingly. Prepare them for the challenges ahead. This does not mean you terrify them or raise the bar of expectations.
• Help them in setting specific goals for the coming year.

What to Prepare One Day Before Back-to-School?

• Keep the bag ready with the books and stationery the night before. On the first day, the child may be expected to go to school with all the books. Send a diary or rough note too.
• Keep the uniform ironed, shoes polished and the water bottle filled. Plan the snacks and lunch.
• Turn off the TV early so that they go to bed early and wake up early. Set the alarm at least 20 minutes earlier than usual school routine as waking up on the first day will be difficult, Some children may find it difficult to sleep due to excitement so they will end up sleeping late and waking them up will be a nightmare.

What to Prepare On the Day of School-reopening:

If you are dropping your child or if the child is going on its own then aim to reach the school slightly earlier. This will help in settling into the new class.

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