Nobody wants summer to end, but as August winds down, it's time to start preparing your kids (and yourself) for back to school.
Here at Next Apartment we know it can be hard to get kids to settle back into a routine, so we have some tips on how to make this process easier on everyone.
After a summer of no routines and inconsistent bedtimes, it can be difficult to get the kids back on track. Start by reestablishing a bedtime routine. Ease kids back into a good sleeping schedule during the last two weeks of summer by sending them to bed a little earlier each night until you have reached their school-night bedtime. Doing this slowly will eliminate any stress from drastic changes.
Reading with your child is a great quiet activity before bed. When parents read to their children, it helps them with word recognition, comprehension, and vocabulary. It's also a great way to develop your child's love of reading. If you have older children, consider letting them read in bed for a half hour after bedtime. This can encourage older children to enjoy reading, while giving them the treat of staying up just a bit later.
Breakfast time can get chaotic on school mornings. Giving kids some self-serve breakfast options will speed up busy mornings and help strengthen independence. Cereal, muffins, chewy granola bars, hard-boiled eggs, or even overnight oats are healthy breakfasts kids can get for themselves. Start encouraging your children to get their own breakfast during the last few weeks of summer when you have more time to establish this routine.
Creating morning goals for kids early-on will ease the rush out the door. Have young children get dressed on their own and teach them to brush their teeth and hair first thing in the morning. Practice these skills by planning a few early morning trips with the kids before school starts.
Just because summer is ending, doesn't mean the fun has to as well! There are lots of games you can play with kids that will sharpen their minds and strengthen their math skills.
- Monopoly
- Scrabble
- Yahtzee
- Battleship
- Outdoor or indoor scavenger hunts
- Chess
- Card games like Crazy Eights, Uno, and Go Fish
Looking to move? Our family-friendly buildings in Aurora and Sault Ste. Marie are close to many great schools!