Summer break is over, and kids have been back in school for a few weeks now. In a perfect world, parents and caregivers would have helped kids adjust to new routines before school started, but we all know we don’t live in a perfect world. Our plans don’t always go off the way we hope, and sometimes things fall through the cracks, despite our best intentions. If the start of the school year has been rough for you and your kids, that’s okay! It happens to everyone, and you still have plenty of time to get back on track and settle into school and child care routines.
The child care team at Watch Me Shine has some tips to help you and your kids readjust to school routines.
There’s nothing more important than sleep.
During the summer, we often allow exceptions to bedtime routines. It stays light longer, we’re often traveling, and allowing kids to stay up a little later doesn’t seem like such a big deal in the summer. But as we experience the consequences of being lax in our schedules, we start to better appreciate the importance of a regular bedtime routine. Kids need plenty of sleep. When they are well-rested, they are alert a focused and do better both in school and in their other activities. A bedtime routine should help your child settle down for the night and let them know that it will be time to sleep soon. It’s important to keep the routine regular, so include the basics like taking a bath, brushing their teeth, and getting into their pajamas. It’s also a good idea to stop using screens at least an hour before bedtime. Read a book together instead to help your child relax and get ready for sleep.
Make time to be one-on-one.
Kids often get used to spending more time with their parents or primary caregivers during the summer break, and it can be hard to adjust to being back in school. Make sure your child knows you still have time for them by setting aside a little one-on-one time each day. It could be when they get home from school or while dinner is in the oven. Play a game, draw some pictures, read a book, or just let them tell you about their day. Your child will feel safe and loved, and you’ll appreciate the memories of that special time in the years to come.
Child Care in Bangor | Watch Me Shine
At Watch Me Shine, our team of child care professionals wants to ensure that your child thrives, both with us and at home with you. Our programs help them reach their full academic and social potential and set them on the right path to becoming happy and successful in the future.
