The summer holidays can often feel never ending with six weeks off for the kids to play and over a month of time to fill for parents.
But now the first day back at school is upon us.
Getting back into a routine can often be a struggle for both parents and children after all those weeks of freedom.
So, to ensure a smooth transition out of bed and into the classroom, outdoor education and adventure provider Kingswood has shared its top tips.
Set an alarm
While it might be tempting to let your child sleep in during the holidays, it will only mean that when it comes to getting them up for school it will be a struggle. Instead, get their body clock used to waking at the same time each day.
Not only will it make mornings easier but it will do wonders for their energy levels too.
Taskmaster
While children are at school, they are put in lots of different situations and try lots of different things to work different parts of their brain and body.
Not only will they be working on their problem solving skills in science and maths but they will also be unleashing their creative side in English and art and even find themselves running around the playground or gearing up for a bleep test.
Get them ready to switch on these different parts of their brain by breaking up the day with different tasks and activities.
Instead of letting them sit in front of the TV or playing on their computer all day, encourage them to play football with their friends in the park, get out the colouring books, or even put on a treasure hunt in the back garden.
Mind games
Just like our bodies, our mind needs exercising too, and if your child has been on the lazier side this summer, it is likely they will find being back inside the classroom a big shock to the system.
Get their brain working analytically by encouraging them to do crosswords, Sudoku and word searches.
Make a meal of it
We all know that when we’re at home it is easy to eat at different times throughout the day and snack absent-mindedly on biscuits or crisps – and is especially true of children if they find themselves bored.
However this can be detrimental to their health, can lead to overeating and can mean that mealtimes are missed.
While it isn’t always easy, try to stick to set mealtimes throughout the day, and include a variety of colours and food groups on their plates.
This will mean that they are ready to have breakfast each morning to set them up for the day ahead, before tucking in to a healthy lunch, and hopefully, veering away from unhealthy snacking.
Chores
We often have to do things we don’t want to do and this is the same at school. While children may hate maths or detest science – they still need to learn these subjects.
By preparing them to persevere with tasks they may not enjoy it will stand them in good stead for the academic year ahead and will also benefit you too.
Another great way to prepare is taking part in a residential like Kingswood Camps.
You’ll get to try new activities, make new friends and learn invaluable skills that will set you up for life.
Schools can also book fun residentials for the year ahead too.
For more information visit www.kingswood.co.uk
