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The start of the academic school year is only weeks awayaround the corner and to avoid the last-minute back-to-school scramble, it is best to start preparing now. That means getting all your kids’ school supplies as early as possible, organizing schedules and after-school programs, and preparing your kids for the changes that come with a return to the classroom.
Whether you have a young child embarking on their first school journey or a teenager stepping into middle or high school, ensuring they have the right school clothesing and supplies is paramount. This preparation instills confidence in them for that crucial first day.
The Florida Back to School Tax Holiday Florida Back-to-School Tax Holiday, running through August 11, offers a tax break on essential school supplies, making it an ideal time to stock up.
Getting your kids ready for back-to-school also means preparing them for the changes in schedules. Don’t wait until the days right before school starts. It’s best to prepare them by establishing nighttime and morning routines weeks before the first day of school, including showers, teeth-brushing and wind-down times. Additionally, it’s helpful to get them used to eating breakfast and dinner on a set schedule, so they can be properly nourished and energetic to tackle the school year.
A return to the classroom may also bring separation anxiety as children start or return to school, especially for those not in summer camps or programs. Help them get ready for the change by increasing the time they spend away from home gradually in the weeks and days ahead of the start of classes.
Also make sure to have them spend time with classmates by organizing playdates to refocus their thoughts on who they will be seeing instead of who they may be missing.
Talk with your children about the upcoming school year, and what they can expect. Let them tell you what they are looking forward to or are worried about and reassure them that it’s normal to feel nervous, and that their classmates are likely having similar feelings.
Another important factor to get your kids ready for school is figuring out what they will do after school and who will care for them. The Children’s Trust and its extensive programs network offer free and low-cost after-school programs that provide safe environments where your children can continue to learn while developing socially and emotionally.
You can find options in your neighborhood to ensure your children are cared for after school hours, when you may be at work. Visit The Trust’s Find a Program page (TheChildrenTrust.org/Find-A-Program) or go to 211miami.org/AfterSchool (or call 2-1-1) for even more after-school programs funded by The Trust, Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Miami-Dade County.
Do your best to get your kids in “school mode” but also remain flexible and understanding that everything doesn’t have to be perfect ahead of the start of school, and it likely won’t be. What’s important is to talk to them, to set reasonable expectations, and to tell them you will be there to support them every step of the way.
James R. Haj is president and CEO of The Children’s Trust.
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