The Ultimate Checklist for a Stress-Free Back-to-School Season

No one is more anxious than parents preparing to send their children back to school after the holidays, or getting them ready for their first day of school!

Let’s face it. School seasons take a heavy toll on most parents’ stress levels- especially parents of young children.

You have a million doubts and feel like no amount of prep is going to be enough when you finally see your little tot walking away with a backpack on their shoulder. 

Why is this so stressful?

There are simply so many things you need to do, to ensure your child is fully ready to take on a successful school day and of course, the entire semester.
A comprehensive checklist ensures that your child has a well stacked bag of supplies to take on a successful semester.

Every back-to-school checklist, even at the most basic level, calls for so much preparation. School supplies, school stationery essentials, back-to-school items, educational games - it’s a never-ending list!

We do understand that even checklists can be exhaustive and stressful, and it is still going to be difficult to pin down exactly what all is needed.

Don’t worry, we have your back!

Ace the ultimate back-to-school checklist!

 

Unveiling the back-to-school checklist for a stress-free back-to-school season

The back-to-school checklist and tasks may seem endless.

However, you do not need to panic!

Be congnizant to ensure that your child/children is fully prepared and equipped to take on their first day back in school. 

• Preparing school supplies: 

Instead of making it a stressful task, picking out school supplies and school stationery essentials can become an exciting new ritual for you and your child.

Make sourcing for school stationery items a fun activity and bonding time for your young family. Make a mental note that while you are on your shopping expedition, you don’t forget crayons, markers, scissors,erasers, pencils,notebooks, and binders.

And remember- only non-toxic and child-friendly items!

• Organising school clothes: 

School clothes are one of the most important items to tick off from the back-to-school checklist! If your child’s school insists on uniforms, it’s not much of a hassle. 

Just make sure alterations are made, or you have already preordered the school uniform to fit your growing child perfectly! If your child’s school does not require uniforms, then the first thing you should do is pull out everything in your child’s closet and do a quick inventory, so you know what to discard and what your child requires. 

Shopping for a back-to-school wardrobe can be so much fun, but it’s important to not get carried away. Small children grow fast, so it doesn’t make sense to go overboard with too many and unnecessary expensive clothes that you will have to discard after a season.

For girls make sure you’re getting:

1. 5 underwear.
2. A couple of pairs of summer shorts. 
3. 3 long-sleeved and 3 short-sleeved shirts.
4. 6 dresses.
5. 2 warm sweaters.
6. 2 warm hooded sweatshirts
7. 2 pairs of jeans
8. 2 skirts
9. leggings/stockings

For boys make sure you are getting:

1. 5 underwear.
2. 5 pairs of shorts.
3. 3 button-up shirts
4. 2 sweatshirts with hoodies
5. 2 sports shorts
6. 3 pairs of dark-coloured jeans
7. 5 long-sleeved shirts
8. 3 short-sleeved shirts
9. Sweatpants.

Armed with these you should be good to go!

• Setting up a study space: 

The main point of getting back to school is to study!

The dining table or a couch is not the best study space for any child. You need to designate a study and school-friendly environment at home, so your child is in the right headspace to take their school work seriously.

Ideally, it should be in a quiet but cheerful room/space, with a practical, storage-friendly, and height-appropriate desk and chair. A good sturdy strong lamp is essential.

Ensure that there is enough empty wall space, for a calendar for your child’s school events and academic to-do lists. This will help them be organised and stay up to date.

You can also include a recreational space with educational games to break the monotony of academics. Skillmatics UK has a great range of such games. 

• Daily Routine: 

Once the holidays are over, children often find it hard to return to their usual schooltime discipline. Making sure they have a solid daily routine is one of the most important points to tick off on your back-to-school checklist.

Sometimes, this can be as challenging for the parents as the children. Be patient and set a few ground rules like -

1. Ensure your children have a set bedtime, and help them get used to it by enforcing this a few days before school starts.
    
2. Set up a daily morning routine that’s not stressful. This means that they should have gotten enough sleep and are ready to brush their teeth, eat breakfast, put on their clothes, and look forward to a fresh day in school! Encourage them to do this as independently as possible.
   
   
3.  A bored child is a naughty child! Make sure they have a fulfilling evening routine of homework, adequate play, and perhaps, occasional television time as a treat!
   
   
4. Reading for pleasure, outside of academic schoolwork.
   
   

It will pay off once they’re adults, while also keeping them occupied, imaginative, and hungry for learning during their developing years. If you have very young children, make a habit of reading to them before bedtime. This will encourage them to become readers themselves.
Remember, good habits are always instilled in early childhood!

• Planning healthy meals and snacks:

What to feed young children for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is a common dillemma for most  parents. Especially if your child is a fussy eater.

Another key point to tick on your back-to-school checklist is planning wholesome and fresh school lunches.

Healthy snacks are also an important back-to-school item. Hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruits, healthy sandwiches, and vegetables with hummus are all great options. 

• Creating a positive mindset: 

You must start getting your child used to regular schooltime discipline a few days before the holidays end.

Incorporate fun playtime and relaxation into the school days, so they feel positively about making the transition. Children should be happy about going back to school, not upset.

Conclusion

Bottom line - there is little need for stress or anxiety.
As long as you have followed the checklist and set precedents for routine and discipline, your family should be ready to transition into the school year, smoothly. To that end, Skillmatics UK is here to help you entertain and educate your child as they go about their school journey. You can explore our website and choose from a bespoke range of games and activities that can enrich your child’s study time and play time.

 

FAQs

What should be included in a back-to-school supply checklist? 

All essential school stationery essentials, school supplies, healthy meals, health checkups, and the right clothing are must-haves.

How can I balance school work with extracurricular activities?

Having a well-planned daily routine is the key to this. Ensure your child is also allowed leisure time, outdoor and indoor playtime. Skillmatics UK has a wide variety of educational and innovative games, for you and your family to enjoy.
https://skillmaticsworld.co.uk/collections/learning-resources

What are some healthy and tasty recipes for my child? 

Your back-to-school checklist must include healthy and easy-to-eat meal plans for your child. Hard-boiled eggs, sandwiches, hummus, fresh fruits and cheese are some great lunch options for a school-going child.

What health checkups are necessary for a kid going back to school?

Don’t ignore health checkups for your child on your back-to-school checklist. Immunisations, eyesight checks, developmental screening, dental checks, and blood pressure checks are all necessary before you send your little one back to school!