Many US schools are back in session during August. Here are some tips to get your kids ready for their first day…

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  1. Sleep – If they have been staying up later during the summer like most kids, start reversing that cycle one week before school. Have them go to bed a little bit earlier every night, and waking up a little bit earlier every morning. The last thing you want is hell on the first day of school trying to get them out of bed in time for school and them dragging all day due to exhaustion. Kids need to be well rested to do well in school.
  2. Fuel the Mind and Body - Make nutritious meals and snacks for your kids, and cut back on the sweets and caffeine. You don’t want your children hyper or experiencing sugar crashes when school starts. Plan healthy lunches for the school year.
  3. Visit the MD – Get your child a checkup. It may be required by the school, and even if it is not, it is wise to go every year. Ask about ways to prevent the Swine Flu.
  4. Supplies – Go shopping with the kids for school supplies, and let them make some of the choices. It will get them in the school spirit. When you bring the supplies home from the store, let the kids organize them and put them in their backpacks.
  5. Organize – Set aside part of day to help your child organize his room. Get rid of the clutter and clear a space for homework. We adults know how much the clutter in our lives affects our productivity. With a clean room, you’ll get your kid started with a new school year on the right foot.
  6. Talk about School – If you have a child who really doesn’t want to go back to school, tell her positive or funny school stories about you when you were her age. Ask her why she does not want to go back, and make her feel more at ease with your reassurances.
  7. Read Together – If you’ve been too busy to read a lot together this summer, start now. Have your child read to you. You might want to also practice spelling.
  8. Social - Get your child together with other kids who will be in the same classroom. That will ease anxiety of facing the first day.
  9. Activities – Talk to your child about after school activities, but don’t over schedule him! So many parents make the mistake of planning every minute. Kids need down time and rest. Racing home after sports or clubs day in and day out to get homework done does not produce good study habits. There are many other reasons not to over schedule, but that is a blog article in itself.
  10. Encourage – Kids often feel your anxieties as well as your eagerness for school. When you are positive they will be too.

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