Back To School Tips for Families

Helpful Tips from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth

It is important for young children’s development that they feel safe and secure. Feeling safe and secure helps young children learn, build confidence, and supports their mental health. Some ways that parents and caregivers can help young children feel safe and secure are:

• Create a safe, predictable environment
• Make adequate sleep time a priority
• Establish clear boundaries and limits
• Show unconditional love and acceptance
• Respond to children’s needs
• Create consistent routines

Now is a great time for families to create reliable routines for children. Getting back to a school routine or starting a new one can be a big adjustment for young children. Some suggestions to make the transition easier are:

• Make sure the children are getting enough sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
  • details how many hours of sleep children need on their healthy children.org website:  www.healthychildren.org/Healthy-Sleep-Habits-How-Many-Hours-Does-Your-Child-Need.aspx.
  • recommends that children keep the same bed time and wake time
  • suggests establishing and sticking to a bedtime routine, such as taking a bath, brushing teeth, reading a book, and going to sleep.

• Create a schedule:
  • In addition to keeping the same bed and wake up times, try to keep mealtimes and other daily events, such as play time and chore time, consistent.
  • Create a visual chart with the children that is simple and easy to understand. For example, ask the children what picture on the chart will help them think of dinner time.
  • Let children make a checkmark on the chart after an activity is completed.
  • Include chores on the schedule for children old enough to complete them. Some examples are: feeding a pet, watering a plant, putting away shoes and coat, and lay out clothes for the next day.

• Create a learning space:
  • This can be a quiet space in a room
  • Use a bin or a shoebox to hold crayons, pencils, papers, and other art materials
  • Ask the children to decorate the bin or box with stickers or drawings

For additional information on helping children transition back to school check out these sites:

• Mayo Clinic Minute: Building a back-to-school routine
• Brush, Book, Bed: How to Structure Your Child’s Nighttime Routine
• The Importance of Routines for Kids
• Routines Provide Stability for Kids – Youth First