School Is Now In Session

And just like that, summer is over and school is back in session. Some parents love it, and others not so much. Either way, now that school has begun again, it is so important to take the time to set yourself (and your child(ren)) up for a successful and smooth school year. By following these easy steps, you can help to make sure homework is done, backpacks aren’t lost, and that you have everything you need for the endless school projects.

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Drop Off Area – Create and/or designate an area in your home where you and your child can drop off backpacks, shoes, and jackets. It’s a great idea to have a hook for each child in this area along with a basket/bin (without a lid) that the child can simply “dump” any school related items into. This will help to avoid the constant questions of “Where is my backpack?” or “Where did I leave my homework?”. It becomes a “home base” for all of the school items that can easily be found and grabbed in the morning before school.

Homework Area – Set up a dedicated space for your child to do his/her schoolwork. Make sure there is a table or desk and a chair so that they can focus on their task. If possible, it may be good to try to have this near the “school area” so that they do not have to go far to get something from their backpack and then they will easily be able to put it back in their bag once they complete it. It may also help to have as little distractions as possible around the table (i.e. television, toys, etc.)

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Supply Area – You will want to make sure to have at least some of the basic items your child might need to complete their homework and school projects. Grab some clear bins that you can label and easily see into for storing the school supplies. Keep items such as pencils, pens, paper, scissors, glue, etc. readily available in the bins and stored somewhere that can easily be reached and is ideally near the homework station. It helps to use brightly colored labels and even pictures for toddlers and preschoolers who can’t read.