Back-to-School Tips for Families: Ensuring a Safe and Happy Year

Preparing your child for the new school year can be overwhelming, but with these helpful tips, you can make the transition smoother and more enjoyable for them. For grades 1-12, the 2023-2024 school year starts September 6. 

1. Familiarize your child with the new school 

Visit the school or classroom before the first day, attend orientations, and take a tour. Additionally, let your child play on the playground a few days prior to class to help them feel at ease. Many children feel anxious about new situations, so rehearsing the experience can help alleviate their worries.

2. Address their concerns

Remind your child that teachers understand their first-day jitters and will make an effort to ensure everyone feels comfortable. Ask your child about their worries and help them come up with solutions to overcome them.

3. Emphasize the positives

Talk to your child about the exciting aspects of starting school, such as seeing old friends and making new ones. Encourage them to look forward to the first day of class.

4. Arrange transportation

Find a neighbor or classmate with whom your child can walk to school or ride the bus. If necessary, accompany your child on the first day by driving or walking them to school. Arriving early can help reduce unnecessary stress.

5. Establish a sleep schedule

Consider gradually adjusting your child's sleep and wake-up routine a week or so before school starts. This will prevent any disruptions caused by sudden time changes during their first few days at school.

6. Ensure backpack safety

Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. Utilize all the compartments to organize your child's belongings, placing heavier items closer to the center of their back. Remember, the backpack should not exceed 10% to 20% of their body weight. Regularly go through the pack with your child to remove unnecessary items and keep it lightweight.

7. Encourage proper usage

Remind your child to always use both shoulder straps when wearing their backpack. Carrying it on one shoulder can strain their muscles. Adjust the pack so that the bottom sits at their waist for optimal comfort.

By following these tips, you can help ensure your child has a safe, healthy, and enjoyable school year.

Creating a Safe Travel Plan for School

Ensure the safety of your child's journey to and from school by following these guidelines and practicing new routes or modes of transportation.

Taking the school bus

• Teach your child to wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching it from the curb. Remind them to always board and exit the bus at designated safe locations.
• Encourage your child to walk where they can be seen by the bus driver, ensuring their safety.
• Remind your child to look both ways before crossing the street, even if they have the right of way, to be cautious of drivers who may not stop as required. It's beneficial for them to practice crossing the street multiple times before the first day of school.
• If the school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure your child uses them at all times. If not, advocate for the school system to provide buses with these safety features.
• Familiarize yourself with the school's policy regarding food on the bus to prevent allergic reactions and infestations.

Safe driving & carpooling to school

• Ensure that all passengers wear seat belts or use age-appropriate car seats or booster seats.
• Keep your child in a car seat with a harness for as long as possible before transitioning to a booster seat. Only switch when they have reached the weight or height limits of their current seat.
• Your child should ride in a booster seat until the vehicle's seat belt fits them properly, typically when they are around 4' 9" tall and between 8 to 12 years old. This ensures that the seat belt is positioned correctly across their body.
• If you need to drive more children than can fit in the rear seat, adjust the passenger seat as far back as possible and utilize a booster seat if necessary.
• Remind your teenage drivers of the importance of wearing seat belts, limiting the number of passengers, and avoiding distractions while driving.

Biking to school

• Practice the bike route with your child before the first day of school to ensure they can handle it safely.
• Always ensure your child wears a helmet, regardless of the length of the ride.
• Teach your child to ride on the right side of the road, in the same direction as auto traffic, and to use bike lanes when available.
• Teach them appropriate hand signals and to respect traffic lights and stop signs.
• Dress your child in bright-colored clothing or provide them with reflective gear to increase their visibility, especially when riding after dark.
• Educate your child about the "rules of the road" to ensure their safety.

Walking to school

• Make sure your child's walking route to school is safe, with trained adult crossing guards at each intersection. Practice safe street crossing with your child before school starts.
• Consider whether your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision, as small children can be impulsive and less cautious around traffic. Generally, children are ready to walk to school alone around 9 to 11 years old.
• In areas with high traffic, organize a "walking school bus" where an adult accompanies a group of children walking to school.
• Dress your child in bright-colored clothing or provide them with visibility devices to make them more visible to drivers.
• Provide healthy eating options during the school day to ensure your child's performance in class.

Prevent bullying at school

• Educate your child about bullying and cyberbullying, and encourage them to seek help from a trusted adult if they experience or witness bullying.
• Teach your child strategies to respond to bullying, such as maintaining eye contact, standing tall, and walking away. Encourage them to use firm and assertive language to express their discomfort.
• Promote empathy and kindness in your child, and discourage any form of aggressive behavior.
• Support your child's involvement in activities and help them make friends to increase their social support network.
• Stay vigilant of your child's social media and texting interactions to address any bullying issues promptly.

Secure before & after-school childcare

• Ensure that a responsible adult is available to supervise your child before and after school if you are unable to be present.
• Communicate the importance of following consistent rules and schedules set by the parent to any family members caring for your child.
• Consider the maturity of your child before allowing them to come home to an empty house in the afternoon.
• If alternate adult supervision is not available, establish a set time for your child to arrive home and have them check in with a neighbor or call you to ensure their safety.

Develop a healthy sleep routine

• To help your child adjust to earlier bedtimes before the start of the new school year, gradually shift their bedtime a week or two in advance. This will allow them to ease into the new routine seamlessly. Set a consistent bedtime for your child and ensure it is followed every night. Adequate sleep is crucial for their overall health and academic success. Insufficient sleep is linked to lower academic performance, increased absenteeism, and tardiness. (Refer to Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?)
• Create a consistent bedtime routine that promotes relaxation and helps your child unwind before sleep. This routine may include activities such as taking a bath or shower, reading together, and tucking them in while saying good night.
• Encourage your child to turn off electronic devices well before bedtime. Creating a quiet and calm environment at home will support younger children in falling asleep more easily.

Developing Effective Homework and Study Habits

• Some children require additional support in organizing their homework. Utilizing tools such as checklists, timers, and parental guidance can be beneficial in overcoming homework challenges.
• If your child is struggling with a specific subject, it is advisable to consult their teacher for suggestions on how to assist them both at home and at school. If you have concerns about the assignments given to your child, it is important to communicate with their teacher.
• If you believe that your child would benefit from specialized education services, you can request an Individualized Education Program evaluation from your school. Your pediatrician can assist you in drafting a letter to make this request.
• Create a conducive environment for homework from an early age. It is essential for children to have a consistent workspace in their bedroom or another area of the house that is quiet, free from distractions, and promotes focused studying.
• Allocate sufficient time for homework and incorporate it into decisions regarding extracurricular activities. It is important to prioritize academic responsibilities.
• Establish a household rule that prohibits the use of television and other electronic distractions during homework time. Monitor your child's computer and internet usage.
• Take measures to alleviate eye fatigue, neck fatigue, and mental exhaustion while studying. Taking short breaks, stretching, and briefly closing the books can be helpful without causing significant disruption.
• Some children may require additional assistance in organizing their homework. Checklists, timers, and parental supervision can be effective in addressing homework difficulties.
• If your child is encountering difficulties with a particular subject, consult their teacher for guidance on how to support them at home and in school. If you have concerns about the assignments given to your child, discuss them with their teacher.
• If you believe that your child would benefit from specialized education services, submit a request to your school for an evaluation of an Individualized Education Program. Your pediatrician can assist you in drafting the necessary request letter.

For more resources, please visit Healthy Children.