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- 8 Ways to Make this the Best School Year Ever<\/a><\/li>\n
- 6 Back to School Tasks for Kids to Do<\/a><\/li>\n
- Back to School Shopping Checklist<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to Get your Kids into Math Mode<\/a><\/li>\n
- 7 Tips to Keep Reading Fun the Whole Year<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Study](\"\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/back-to-school-handbook-kumon-pinterest2.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nDownload the entire handbook\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0or by clicking on the above image (right-click, save as)!<\/p>\n
\n8 Ways to Make this the Best School Year Ever<\/h2>\n
As a mom or dad, you\u2019re equipped to handle a lot, but for back-to-school time there\u2019s so much to remember and even heroes need a bit of help. \u00a0Here are a few ways to make this the best school year ever.<\/p>\n
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1. Plan Healthy Lunches<\/h3>\n
We\u2019ve all done it \u2013 thrown together a few things last minute for our kids\u2019 lunch. We won\u2019t shame you. But having a well-fed and energized child is key to making the school year as fruitful as it can be (pun intended). You can plan out a weekly or monthly meal schedule or you can simply compile a list of options by food group so you can pick and choose as you go.\u00a0 If you are stuck for ideas, check out\u00a0this article<\/a>\u00a0with lunch ideas from celebrity chefs!<\/p>\n
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2.\u00a0 Less Time in the Kitchen<\/h3>\n
While you\u2019re planning for lunches, why not think about weekday dinner ideas.\u00a0 One great way to save time during the week is to cook meals on the weekend and freeze them for the week.\u00a0 Rather than buying a ready-made lasagna or shepherd\u2019s pie, you can make your own and then pop it in the oven the day of. \u00a0Before freezing your fresh meat, cut and season it before packing it up in the freezer.\u00a0 For fresh produce, you can dice up vegetables for a stir-fry or steaming so they\u2019re ready to go when you need them.<\/p>\n
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3. Organize your Kids\u2019 Clothing<\/h3>\n
Some of us must remember going to school in some awful outfits! Neon purple and pink jump-suits anyone? \u00a0To keep it simple, set your child up with a selection of outfits that can be rotated throughout the week. \u00a0This way, your child will be looking sharp, feeling smart and well on their way to having a great school year! Here are some great outfit ideas from\u00a0Teen Vogue<\/a>\u00a0for girls and\u00a0Parents.com<\/a>\u00a0for boys.<\/p>\n
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4. Set Up a Sleep Routine<\/h3>\n
One of the biggest challenges can be the sharp shift from lazy summer to busy fall. It\u2019s very important to have your kids on a good sleep schedule, especially if you consider\u00a0research<\/a>\u00a0that suggests a well-rested child performs better in school. A sleep routine is something that can be established in advance of the school year, however. Get your kids counting sheep at a decent hour starting in August and you can look forward to a much more relaxed transition.<\/p>\n
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5. Get to Know Your Teachers<\/h3>\n
Do you ever wonder who your kids are spending their days with? Well who can blame you? A little communication can go a long way in parent-teacher relationships. Don\u2019t wait until the first parent-teacher conference to connect \u2013 to start, you can send an introductory email to give them a little background on your child.<\/p>\n
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6. Get Appointments and To-Dos Lined Up<\/h3>\n
To start, when was the last time your child saw their pediatrician?\u00a0 Check their immunization record to be sure they\u2019re up to date, as many school require it.\u00a0 Has your child been to the dentist in the last 6 months? \u00a0It might be time.\u00a0 And if they haven\u2019t yet had their vision checked, it might be a good idea to schedule an appointment with an optometrist.\u00a0 Difficulties in school can arise simply from not being able to see the board clearly. \u00a0Make time to shop for school apparel and winter gear, and don\u2019t forget to plan for haircuts.<\/p>\n
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7. Talk About Bullying<\/h3>\n
Research shows that\u00a01 in 3 kids<\/a>\u00a0experience bullying at some point in their education. With social media, there are even more opportunities for bullying. Make an effort to talk to your children about how to recognize bullying.\u00a0 For example, do they know the difference between teasing and bullying?\u00a0 Talk about some of the things they can do to handle different types of situations.\u00a0 And although we don\u2019t like to think that our kids would bully others, make sure they know the right way to treat their peers so that they don\u2019t find themselves heading down that path.<\/p>\n
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8. Ask your Kids About their Concerns<\/h3>\n
Make sure you take some time to discuss what your kids are looking forward to and worried about this year.\u00a0 Going back to school can elicit mixed emotions and anxiety can manifest in numerous ways; from nightmares and difficulty sleeping to \u201ctummy aches\u201d or a sudden renewed interest in a security blanket. Sometimes just talking about it can help alleviate some of the stress.<\/p>\n
![\"8](\"\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/8-ways-make-this-best-school-year-ever.png\")
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\n6 Back To School Tasks for Kids to Do<\/h2>\n
Summer is coming to an end. It\u2019s time to get back to school \u2013 but the transition can often be difficult for both kids and parents. As parents, we do so much for our kids, but we often overlook the fact that our kids can do so much for themselves! We made a list of back to school tasks to empower kids to take charge of their own back-to-school prep.<\/p>\n
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- Get Them Involved:<\/strong>\u00a0Let your kids help pick some of their own back-to-school supplies<\/li>\n
- Create a Study Area:\u00a0<\/strong>Help your kids create a dedicated study space that they must maintain<\/li>\n
- Set Goals:\u00a0<\/strong>Have your kids set academic goals for the new year<\/li>\n
- Use Technology:<\/strong>\u00a0Try a math app to refresh their memories of math concepts<\/li>\n
- Get Cooking:<\/strong>\u00a0Involve your kids in picking snacks and preparing lunch plans for school<\/li>\n
- Be Prepared:<\/strong>\u00a0The night before day one, have your kids pack their school bags themselves<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
![\"6](\"\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/6-back-to-school-tasks-kids-to-do.png\")
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\nBack to School Shopping Checklist<\/h2>\n
Love it or hate it, you\u2019re going to have some back-to-school shopping to do. If you develop that nagging feeling that you\u2019re forgetting something, you can consult the lists that we\u2019ve lovingly prepared.<\/p>\n
Kindergarten (K \u2013 Grade 3):<\/h3>\n
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- Pencil case<\/li>\n
- Crayons<\/li>\n
- Pencil Crayons<\/li>\n
- Washable markers<\/li>\n
- Construction paper<\/li>\n
- Notebook or pad<\/li>\n
- Tissues<\/li>\n
- No. 2 pencils<\/li>\n
- Pencil sharpener<\/li>\n
- Erasers<\/li>\n
- Glue sticks<\/li>\n
- Blunt-tipped scissors<\/li>\n
- Plastic folders<\/li>\n
- Backpack<\/li>\n
- Lunchbox or bag<\/li>\n
- Indoor shoes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Elementary School (Grade 4 \u2013 Grade 6\/7):<\/h3>\n
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- Three-ring binders<\/li>\n
- Three-hole-punch<\/li>\n
- Pencil case<\/li>\n
- Blue or black ballpoint pens<\/li>\n
- No. 2 pencils<\/li>\n
- Erasers<\/li>\n
- Pencil sharpener<\/li>\n
- Highlighters<\/li>\n
- Washable markers<\/li>\n
- Loose-leaf paper or spiral notebooks<\/li>\n
- Subject dividers<\/li>\n
- Index cards<\/li>\n
- Personal organizer\/calendar<\/li>\n
- Book socks<\/li>\n
- Plastic folders<\/li>\n
- Glue<\/li>\n
- Ruler<\/li>\n
- Blunt-tipped scissors<\/li>\n
- Calculator<\/li>\n
- Backpack<\/li>\n
- Lunchbox or bag<\/li>\n
- Indoor shoes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Middle\/High School (Grade 7\/8 \u2013 Grade 11\/12):<\/h3>\n
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- Loose-leaf paper or spiral notebooks<\/li>\n
- Graph paper<\/li>\n
- Three-ring binders<\/li>\n
- Subject dividers<\/li>\n
- Three-hole-punch<\/li>\n
- Pencil case<\/li>\n
- Blue or black ballpoint pen<\/li>\n
- No. 2 pencils<\/li>\n
- Pencil sharpener<\/li>\n
- Highlighters<\/li>\n
- Permanent markers<\/li>\n
- Erasers<\/li>\n
- Combination lock<\/li>\n
- Personal organizer\/calendar<\/li>\n
- Book socks<\/li>\n
- Backpack<\/li>\n
- Lunchbox or bag<\/li>\n
- Index cards<\/li>\n
- Plastic folders<\/li>\n
- Tape &\/or stapler<\/li>\n
- Post-Its<\/li>\n
- White-Out<\/li>\n
- Protractor<\/li>\n
- Ruler<\/li>\n
- Scissors<\/li>\n
- Graphing calculator<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"the](\"\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/back-to-school-shopping-checklist.png\")
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\n4 Ways to Get your Kids into Math Mode<\/h2>\n
News flash: not every child is excited about math. Parents often respond to this sentiment with acceptance, thinking \u201cwell, I guess that just the way it is.\u201d But maybe there\u2019s another way to approach this. Just as you would psyche-up a child before a sports game, it makes sense to work with your kids to get them thinking about math the right way.<\/p>\n
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1. Apps and Technology<\/h3>\n
You never need to do it all by yourself. Never has this been easier than with today\u2019s ease of access to technology. There are plenty of\u00a0great math apps<\/a>\u00a0out there for kids to choose from. Keep kids interested by choosing either one great app that they love or by exposing them to a few different apps every once in a while. The challenge can be addictive. \u00a0Soon, they will form the habit of playing with math apps without your intervention. \u00a0Congratulations: you will have achieved the seemingly-impossible \u2013 a love of math in your children!<\/p>\n
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2. Connect with Other Parents<\/h3>\n
Parents chat with one another about all kinds of things related to kids. There\u2019s no reason you couldn\u2019t get their insights into dealing with math struggles too. Maybe your friends have been through similar struggles to get their kids interested in math? Maybe somebody you know found a way to help their kids advance beyond grade-level? \u00a0Bounce ideas off one another and explore the possibilities.<\/p>\n
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3. Make Math Fun<\/h3>\n
Practicing math skills doesn\u2019t need to be boring. A day-to-day approach might be helpful in getting your children to\u00a0enjoy math<\/a>\u00a0more and feel more comfortable doing it. Applying this principle can be quite simple in practice. Depending on how old your child is, you can ask them to help you with things like baking or cooking. Even a trip to the grocery store gives an opportunity to practice math. How about a game of \u201cguess how much\u201d every time you go through the check-out? It doesn\u2019t take much to ignite the spark of math inside a child\u2019s mind!<\/p>\n
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4. Boost your Child\u2019s Confidence<\/h3>\n
It could be that your child just needs a little validation. If they\u2019re feeling discouraged, try telling them about your own experience with math. Maybe you\u2019ve had your own eureka moments in the past? Share those with your kids and let them know that math is a struggle for a lot of people, but that the journey is worth it.\u00a0 Math can make kids feel a bit overwhelmed at times, so if one motivational technique hasn\u2019t worked, don\u2019t be afraid to try something new.<\/p>\n
![\"4](\"\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/4-ways-get-kids-into-math-mode.png\")
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\n7 Tips to Keep Reading Fun the Whole Year<\/h2>\n
If you\u2019ve been following\u00a0our advice<\/a>, then surely you\u2019ve been trying to get your kids nose deep in as many books as possible. Now that back to school time is approaching, there\u2019s a new challenge: how to keep the reading momentum going? Here are 7 tips to help keep reading fun for your kids going forward for the whole school year.<\/p>\n
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1. Read a Book Together<\/h3>\n
Choose a book that your kids like and read it together. Simply take turns with them reading aloud. Depending on their age and skill level, you can take turns reading lines, pages, or entire chapters. You\u2019ll want to try to find the \u201cjust-right\u201d level of difficulty when doing this exercise. This takes into consideration the frequency of sessions and the difficulty of vocabulary and subject matter. Remember, learning isn\u2019t a race. This exercise is about having fun and making memories together.<\/p>\n
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2. Visit the Library<\/h3>\n
Remember that physical place full of books that you thought nobody went to anymore? Despite their\u00a0recent dip in popularity<\/a>, libraries are still a great resource for kids. They represent easy access to a world of books \u2013 literally! Plus, you can save on the cost of buying books.\u00a0 Make a habit of visiting the library with your kids and set a good example by enriching your own knowledge through reading as well.<\/p>\n
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3. Bedtime-ish<\/h3>\n
Bend the rules a bit sometimes! If the book your child is reading is holding their attention, let them dive deeper. Harness the energy of enjoyment as much as you can (within reason).<\/p>\n
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4. Get Support<\/h3>\n
If your child really doesn\u2019t like reading no matter what you try, they could have a learning disability. First, if this turns out to be true, do not fret! There are many experts who are aware of a growing body of knowledge on\u00a0childhood development<\/a>. Engage with your teachers first then check with some recommended specialists or your family doctor.<\/p>\n
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5. Let Them Choose<\/h3>\n
Certainly, some books are \u201cbetter\u201d than others. As parents, we may even have our favorites. But just because you loved Curious George doesn\u2019t mean your children will. When it comes to reading, always harness the power of excitement. If a book appeals to your children\u2019s sensibilities, the pages will turn, vocabulary will increase and\u00a0their aptitudes will increase\u00a0across the board.<\/p>\n
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6. Create a Special Reading Area<\/h3>\n
It doesn\u2019t need to be a full-blown in-house library, but a dedicated corner or nook can go a long way towards helping kids develop the habit of reading. You can fill this space inexpensively by picking up used books from garage sales, used book stores and even the dollar store.\u00a0 Adding new books periodically and making the space comfortable and inviting will help keep you child engaged!<\/p>\n
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7. Demonstrate Good Habits<\/h3>\n
We want our kids to follow to excel.\u00a0 Just like healthy eating habits, exercise routines, and good manners, it\u2019s monkey see, monkey do\u2026 or not.\u00a0 If your kids don\u2019t see you reading, it can be difficult to convince them to do so. Be the change you want to see in your kids and pick up a book. You\u2019ll be glad you did.\u00a0 Setting a reading time for the whole family can be a great way to do this.<\/p>\n
![\"7](\"\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/7-tips-to-keep-reading-fun-the-whole-year.png\")
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- Create a Study Area:\u00a0<\/strong>Help your kids create a dedicated study space that they must maintain<\/li>\n
- 6 Back to School Tasks for Kids to Do<\/a><\/li>\n