Tips to Prepare Parents for Elementary School

Sending your little one off to elementary school for the first time is a huge milestone in any parent’s life. As they transition out of kindergarten and make their way into the exciting world of elementary education, the mixture of emotions that accompanies this change can also bring with it a feeling of stress.

Making sure they have everything they need to start their journey with success is something every parent wants for their child. However, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming, especially for parents who are doing this for the first time.

To help take some of the stress out of elementary school preparation, we have outlined some helpful tips to make the start of the new school year as smooth and as stress-free for you and your child.

Buy Supplies

While this step can seem like the most challenging, thankfully it only needs to be done once in the year. Gathering and labeling all the supplies your child will need to ensure they are prepared for each activity and have everything they need for every eventuality is key to your peace of mind as a parent as well as your child’s. Below is a checklist of elementary school supplies to help you prepare for your child’s first day:

• Backpack
• Lunchbox
• Water bottle
• Uniform and shoes
• Pencil case and writing/drawing supplies

For parents who are planning their child’s graduation from elementary school, supplies such as an elementary school cap and gown can be found here.

Establish a Routine

Beginning elementary school is likely to be the beginning of a five-day week for your child. Preparing them for this transition to their routine is important, especially for children who have not had a similar kindergarten schedule before.

Creating a bedtime and wakeup routine that is aligned with elementary school in the weeks or months before school starts can help your child ease into their new schedule and ensure they have the energy levels and the enthusiasm they need to meet the day ahead.

In addition to establishing a bedtime routine, you can also encourage your child to dress themselves the next day by laying their clothes out for them. This can help to take the stress out of getting ready for school and ensure a smoother start to the day for you both.

School Run Practice

Make sure to familiarize yourself with the location of your child’s school well in advance of their start day. If you are planning to drive them there, doing a trial run of the route at the same time you intend to drop them off and pick them up is essential. This will give you an insight into the level of traffic that you may encounter and any other unexpected challenges that may arise along the way.

If you are walking your child to school, practicing this with them beforehand can help them get used to the journey and let you know how much time they need to get there comfortably.

By following these tips, you can feel confident your child is ready to embark on their new school journey with everything they need to get off to a flying start.