Heading back to school fills both parents and students with excitement each year, but tackling school supply lists, getting used to new teachers, reestablishing a stricter schedule, and the return of academic demands can also be a challenge. Making a plan and getting organized for all that comes your way will save both time and anxiety. To help everyone get off on the right foot, we’ve put together a list of things you can start on now to minimize stress and create a positive back-to-school experience for both you and your children.
- Before the first day of school is the time to shape your carefree summer daily routine into something closer, resembling a school day. Start shifting wake-up, eating, and bedtimes towards the times those will take place once school returns.
- Clean out closets donating any items that no longer fit. Make a list of clothing to purchase during back-to-school shopping trips. Take time to make sure closets and drawers are organized and clutter-free, making it easier for everyone to select an outfit each day.
- Create an after-school landing zone. Having a dedicated space for backpacks, lunch boxes, and other school essentials keeps these items from spreading all over the house at the end of the day. It also prevents the morning scramble of trying to find everything needed for the day.
- Set up an area for tackling homework. A dedicated location for studying that includes all the supplies they need will help kids stay focused during homework time.
- Designate files or folders for the family to keep up with permission slips, in-progress assignments, and all other school-related paperwork.
- Decide how to keep up with the family calendar. You can set up a large wall calendar that is color-coded with everyone’s schedule and activities, or for families with older students, you can utilize a shared electronic calendar. Use this family calendar to track school events and holidays, extracurricular activities, appointments, and anything else that the entire family needs to plan around.
- Make sure your medical and emergency contact information are up-to-date with the school. This will ensure you don’t miss any school closings and critical safety information. Review and update your child’s records to ensure allergies, medications, disabilities, illnesses your child may be susceptible to and approved pick-up persons are current.
- Introduce yourself to your child’s teachers early on and let them know you want to work together to have a successful school year. Ask the teacher their preferred method of communication and show them that you respect their time. Keep the lines of communication open and provide supplies needed by the teacher that will help them provide a great learning environment.
During your quest for a decluttered, organized home to get ready for heading back to school, you may discover that your best option is to store some of your lesser-used items. Zippy Shell is open and ready to serve your storage needs in the best way possible. Call today or click here to get a quote!