Back to school survival list
Updated: Jul 25, 2022
Going back to school after a pandemic can be intimidating but dont fear! We’re going to get through this together. In March of 2020 as COVID-19 spread over the globe, countries began to “close”, communities were told to shelter in place, and many of us were thrown into homeschooling our children, whether we wanted to or not. Over a year later back to school will look different as kids return to campus and face to face learning. Amongst the typical school supplies of glue, crayons, and safety scissors we will be packing face masks and perhaps hand sanitizer along with plenty of patience. Check out these back to school survival tips and share some of your own!
Shop for back to school supplies early! Some classroom lists may contain additional “specific items” but having crayons, color pencils, construction paper, and #2 pencils on hand gets you ahead of the game.
Prepare clothing in advance. Check sweaters and hoodies that may have grown too small. If your child will wear a mask ensure all masks are in good condition. Plan school outfits ahead of time.
Create a regular bedtime routine. School age children need anywhere from 10-13 hours of sleep a night to maintain good health, make sure they get to bed on time!
Talk about expectations. Discuss how homework will be tackled, create goals for this school year, and create social boundaries (i.e. hands to yourself, raise your hand, ask for help, etc.) appropriate for their age.
Establish regular check-ins. Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly check-ins might be necessary to check on grades, clothing, mental and emotional wellbeing, and social developments.
Keep an eye out for community back to school events, these events are a great way to get our kids in the “back to school spirit” and encourage happy feelings about the change. Back to school events also commonly offer free haircuts or other supplies like backpacks that parents can appreciate. Talk to your child about what is important to them, before school begins, once school starts, and throughout the school year. Children are little humans who experience the same range of emotions that grown humans do. Talking to them about an issue before it grows too big can be helpful for the whole family. Need more tips on how to navigate parenting? Comment below or send me a message. We are better as a community!
Sarah Foster is a Holistic Wellness Educator and Full Spectrum Doula in Altamonte Spring, FL that provides whole person wellness education along with a full spectrum of support for all birthing outcomes. This support includes providing thoughtful emotional, spiritual, and physical support before, during, and after pregnancy and pregnancy release. If you or someone you love are interested in support let's connect! I look forward to meeting you!