Surviving the Back To School Transition
School has officially begun here in the Pacific Northwest, with kids packing up their new backpacks and shiny lunchboxes to head to a new classroom. As we head into a new school year, dentist in Newberg Dr. Jennifer McLeod encourages both parents and kids to take steps to survive the transition back to school.
Set Up a Calendar
The month of September can feel chaotic and disorganized, especially with the shock of having to get up early and follow a routine throughout the day. This back to school transition can tire kids out.
To keep your children well rested, create an atmosphere of calm by setting up a clear calendar. Start with September, clearing extra activities in order to provide plenty of down time during the crazy month. Mark down important dates, like Back to School Night, and schedule in time for kids to complete homework and do chores. Move on to complete a calendar for the rest of the school year, and teach your children to refer to it often to keep conflicts and chaos at a minimum.
Provide A Homework Nook
Summer is full of lazy afternoons and evenings of creative play and fun activities, much of which needs to be limited as the school year begins. Help children adjust to the demands of their new classroom by creating a peaceful and consistent place in your home to complete homework. Whether it’s at the dining room table or a desk in their bedrooms, kids will appreciate a place to sit down and finish their homework so that they can get back to playing outside before the weather turns bad!
Turn off the Electronics
With a new classroom and meeting new people, kids will be stimulated enough. Give your whole family a chance to communicate about the changes from going back to school by turning off the electronics in your home. Provide limited times for video games and cartoons once chores and homework are finished, then make it a requirement that every family member be present for dinner time. This might mean that dinner is early or late based on sports practices or transitioning schedules, but nothing can replace connection with your kids during this time.
Schedule Dental Check Ups
If you weren’t able to get the kids in for dental check ups during the summer, this is a perfect time to get those dentist appointments made. The dental check ups and teeth cleanings can help keep your child’s smile healthy and bright for the new school year and alert you to any potential problems. During your visit, you can schedule out the next dental visit for your kids for some extra convenience during this transition time!
It’s important to help your kids transition during this potentially crazy Back to School time. Call us at (503) 278-4281 to schedule an appointment with Newberg dentist Dr. McLeod and her team at Newberg Family Dental for a healthy smile!
Photo Credit: Gioia De Antoniis via Compfight