Going back to school after an extended break can offer challenges that you might not expect. It’s important to prepare your children for return to the routine of a classroom as well as to get them back on track to succeed in their second semester of the year!

Here are 10 tips to help your child get ready for back-to-school after the holidays:

  1. Review teachers’ and classmates’ names (and faces if you have pictures) so that your child is able to identify and seek out familiar faces when they return.

  2. Write out a social story or visual schedule of their day to remind them of expectations when they are back in their classroom.

  3. Review homework that was assigned over the break. Make sure your child is able to explain their work and present it well when they return.

  4. Write a list of projects or field trips they can look forward to this semester for motivation.

  5. Begin implementing an earlier bedtime and wake time a few days before they return to school so their bodies have time to adjust.

  6. Update school supplies (i.e. crayons, notebooks, glue-sticks, pencils) that may be running low from their first semester of school.

  7. Help your child clean out his/her backpack and have new school supplies labeled.

  8. Continue learning outside of school over the holiday break. Involve your child in preparations in the kitchen, take family outings to the children museum or library, and have your child help you with wrapping presents.

  9. Remind your child that they will get to see their friends when they return to school.

  10. Plan meals for the first week of back to school following break to make the adjustment back easier for the whole family.

Have a blast celebrating and participating in all the festivities the holidays bring, but don’t forget to fully prepare for returning to school!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the MTS family!

Emily Harper