Back to School Tips

Tips for a successful school year:

• Dedicate a study area in the house where your kids can go to have a distraction-free environment to focus on their studies.
• Keep open communications with your children about their progress at school and in their studies.
• Talk as a family about how learning in school is going to benefit and enrich their lives.
• Reinforce that learning happens outside of school too - at home, in their community and even on vacations.
• Always provide encouragement when your child achieves an accomplishment or reaches a milestone at school.
• Support your child to help them stay calm and confident on test days.
• Teach your kids how to set goals.
• Read together at least once a week - this is one of the most powerful ways to support your child's learning.
• Encourage your children to talk to teachers if they are having challenges with a subject or an assignment.
• Be active and participate in your child's education and school events.
• Remember that your child's teacher(s) are an important partner in their education.
• Stay in touch and follow up with your child's teacher(s) on a regular basis.

Tips for saving on back-to school shopping:

• Avoid buying the trendy gear like lunch boxes or pencil cases until your kids have a chance to see what their friends are buying.
• Shop the end of summer sales and look for the clothing that can be worn well into the fall.
• Make a list of the essential items. Many teachers will supply a list at the start of the new school year. Stick to the list and don't waste time and money on unlisted items.
• Check the supermarket flyers for sales on basic supplies like pens and loose-leaf paper.
• Host a back-to-school swap with some other parents with kids that are the same gender but of different ages. Trade clothes, school supplies, toys and books.
• Browse online directories like your local craigslist.org. Not only can you find stuff you need on the cheap, but you can also be a seller too!
• Possibly one of the best tips in this list is to plan your children's lunches each week in advance. This helps to ensure that you can provide them with nutritious and delicious lunches and will save you money.

Tips for a healthier back-to school routine:

• Establish a sleep routine where your kids have a set time for bed and for getting up and then be sure to stick to that routine until it becomes a habit for them.
• Schedule a check-up with your pediatrician to ensure medical and vaccination records are updated and that there are no concerns with participation in sports and physical activities.
• Get a dental check-up. Dental health is a very important part of a child's overall health and tooth decay is one of the most common chronic conditions among children.
• Often what your child has been eating during the summer break isn't suitable for school lunches. Now's the time to get your child into the routine of eating 3 regular meals each day, establish more rules around what to eat and cut back on the amount of treats.

With the school year about to get under way we hope that these tips will help you and your family make the most of a new school year.