Back to school checklist: What do I need for my child?
For children and parents, the transition from childcare center to school is an exciting time. They get excited, prepare, organize and plan everything important in the background. To help parents keep a cool head during this time, our pme parent consultant Katrin Drescher reveals how to do this.
How to start school successfully?
Parents whose first child is starting school are often unsure about how to prepare for the start. Our school start checklist shows what really matters and how you can prepare your child in the best possible way.
The pme school start checklist for new school starters
1. books and other teaching materials
Schools provide information about the books and teaching materials they need by post or on their website. You should order early and budget accordingly. If, for example, you have to buy the books yourself or you need sneakers for sports lessons, the costs can quickly mount up.
2. way to school
How your child gets to school should be well prepared. If you are traveling by bus, remember to apply for a bus ticket in good time. Ideally, you already know other parents with whom you can form carpools for unplanned events (e.g. the bus doesn't come or it's not hot). Whether on foot, by bike, car or bus, it is always important to practise the correct way to school. Ideally, you should look for schoolmates with whom your child can walk or drive to school together.
3. less is more
It is particularly important for school beginners not to overfill the school bag and to pay attention to the weight. Therefore, structure the material and design the satchel clearly. This will help your little ABC student to keep an overview.
4. leisure time
The time after school should really be free. Especially in the first few weeks of school, it is advisable to plan few leisure activities at first. Stay flexible when it comes to organizing after-school activities. The start of school is an intensive time for children starting school and they are often knocked out. It therefore makes sense to give the children less input in the afternoon so as not to overwhelm them.
5. new hobbies
The same principle applies to new hobbies. First of all, the children should really settle in at school before trying out new leisure activities. So don't start until the fall vacations at the earliest.
6. find routines
In the first few weeks of school, you should make sure to stick to the same after-school routines (e.g. first break, then lunch and then homework). This will give your child the chance to get used to the new rhythm and quickly establish routines.
7. homework
If homework is supervised at home, you will initially remain close by as a contact person for the children. This gives the children a sense of security, especially in the first few weeks.
8. parents as a haven of peace
Try to remain calm and patient yourself if the children are impatient and overwhelmed and do not put any pressure on them. In this way, you can avoid creating a negative association with homework and school right from the start - all beginnings are difficult ;-)
We wish all children and their parents a successful start to school!
Katrin Drescher is an educational scientist (M.A.) and works for the pme Familienservice in Bonn. She works there as a parent counselor. She is a mother of three children herself and is currently planning for her youngest child to start school.
