Back to School 2021: Tips for a Smooth Transition

Many children feel anxious on the first day of school, and this year, after a long break due to the pandemic, there will be new challenges. Among them is getting used to a regular daily routine after working online for the past school year. Here are some tips on how to make your child feel confident and comfortable on their first day back to school in 2021.

Kids Worry About First Impressions Too

It’s important to set your kid up for success by sending them back to school feeling confident. Take a look in their closet and do an inventory their clothes. Donate what no longer fits and toss clothing that is in terrible shape. Take a trip to the store together and update their wardrobe, purchasing what they need and letting them have a voice in what you both select. Anything torn or grossly stained should not be an option. Kids want to feel good about themselves, and it starts with a strong self-image.

Reinforce Good Hygiene from the School Bus to the Classroom

Talk to your child about the importance of good hygiene, reminding them to use the hand sanitizer offered in the classroom and at the entrance door. Reinforce the importance of handwashing with soap and water when possible throughout the day. 

If your child is particularly anxious, each school district has a set of safety protocols posted online. Depending on the child’s age, it might be a good idea to go over them together f you feel it would calm their nerves. There are specific safety procedures that you can find online. For example, NEISD posts:

Teachers will:

• Require hand hygiene before entering the classroom and after group activities.
• Increase the space between desks and utilize every square inch of available space to create as much distance as possible between students.
• Keep classroom doors open, when possible, to improve circulation and reduce the touching of door handles.
• Have access to disinfectant to sanitize high-touch and working surfaces and shared objects regularly.

Buy School Supplies Now

Following the tedious checklist on your child’s school supply list can be complicated! Looking at the lines and lines of specific school items can feel overwhelming. Make sure and follow the list exactly and don’t make any substitutes. When in doubt, buy two–index cards, erasers, pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, and anything else you can find. Or, even better, go online at Target.com and find your child’s school supply list and order the supplies online. It makes it much easier to plan to go back to school in 2021. I’m jealous this was not available when I was struggling with my kid’s school checklist.

Label Everything and Anything that Can Get Lost

Everything can get lost, and it usually does! Buy a fabric marker for gym clothes and a black Sharpie for school supplies, backpacks, lunch bags and tennis shoes. A label maker may be another good option, including some labels you can order and iron on their clothing. The rule for clothing is, if it comes off, it’s likely to get lost!

Do a Practice Drop Off

Make a practice run to school days before so your child will know what to expect. Talk about carpool lines, bus stops and how to listen and respect the directions of the crossing guards. Show them where they will get dropped off, what door to walk into and where the front office is located. Find the cafeteria and bathroom before the first day back, as these are two areas that can cause anxiety among many children when they aren’t familiar with where to find them.

Take Steps to Avoid a Morning Frenzy

A few days in advance, start getting used to a new morning routine. Set the alarm a little earlier and get familiar with a new schedule. Talk about what the morning will look like and what they have to do each morning before they walk out the door. Factor in some downtime so your child doesn’t feel rushed. This will make the transition back to school in 2021 easier. 

Plan School Lunch and Snacks at Family Dinner

During a relaxed meal, make a list of lunch foods and snack foods your child will want to take to school. Order online or take a trip to the grocery store together and have everything ready for the first day of school. Pack it all up the night before. 

Get a Good Night’s Rest

Decide on a time when all the screens are turned off. Have your child take their shower the night before going back to school. Share a warm cup of milk before bed and talk about the following day. Listen to some soft music together or read a nighttime book. Have their toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, and school clothes laid out to remind them what they need to do when they wake up. Take a deep breath because it’s the start of a great school year!

Don’t Forget to Thank the Cafeteria Staff and Bus Driver

Remind your child to be respectful to everyone, from the office staff to the person who hands them their hot lunch in the cafeteria. Encourage them to acknowledge people who go the extra mile to keep the school safe and clean, such as the school custodian. When exiting the bus, remind your child to say “thank you” or “have a great day Ms. Walters.” Encouraging kindness is also a confidence builder and a great attitude when going back to school in 2021. 

For more information, check out The Protocol School of Texas. You may also like New School Year: Fresh Tips for the Entire Family. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.