back to school

Healthy Habits For Back To School

August is fast approaching, and it's time to get ready! Summer is a season full of family time, vacations, and warm weather. With each season, we naturally adopt new habits. To help you transition smoothly into the back-to-school season, we've compiled a list of habits to start incorporating into your routine now. These habits will ensure you're fully prepared and can make the most out of the upcoming school year.

Exercise

It might sound trivial at first, but scheduling an hour of exercise each day with the kids is crucial. It doesn't have to be an organized sports practice or a rigorous run; what's important is that children get 60 minutes of movement daily. This helps them burn off excess energy after spending much of the day sitting at a desk. There are many fun and engaging ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, such as taking walks around the neighborhood, enjoying bike rides on local trails, organizing playdates at the park or pool, playing family sports like soccer or basketball, or even having dance parties at home with your kids' favorite tunes! These activities not only keep your children active but also create opportunities for family bonding. 

Meal preparation

Being mindful of what you pack in your kids’ lunchboxes can make a big difference in their overall health and energy levels throughout the day. Start by considering what snacks your kids love and make sure to stock up on those, along with other essentials. Aim to prepare lunches that are nutritious and balanced, following a simple guideline: include 2/3 plant-based foods and 1/3 lean protein.

Incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as apple slices, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, and grapes. These not only provide essential vitamins and minerals but also keep your kids feeling full, satisfied, and ready to learn! For the protein portion, consider options like grilled chicken strips, turkey slices, or hard-boiled eggs. Adding a small portion of whole grains, such as whole wheat bread or quinoa, can also help sustain their energy levels throughout the whole school day.

Don't forget to include a fun treat or a favorite snack to make lunchtime enjoyable! Healthy options like yogurt, hummus with pita chips, or a small handful of nuts can add variety and keep lunchtime exciting. Preparing meals ahead of time and involving your kids in the process can also encourage them to make healthier choices and look forward to their meals!

Day recaps

It seems simple, but making it a habit to ask about everyone’s day can have a profound impact on your family's communication and connection. This practice is beneficial to incorporate into your daily routine all year long. A simple, “How was your day?” can open the door to meaningful conversations.

Instead of accepting a quick one-word answer like “Good,” try asking more detailed questions. Inquire about specific classes, friends, homework, and other activities. “What was the most interesting thing you learned today?” or “Who did you spend time with at lunch?” Engaging in these conversations can also provide an opportunity to discuss how school is really going. Talk about their learning styles, strengths, struggles, and any other issues they might be facing. This not only helps you stay informed about their academic and social experiences but also encourages them to express their feelings and concerns.

By fostering healthy conversations, you can support your children in navigating their educational journey, celebrate their successes, and help them overcome challenges. This consistent communication strengthens your bond and reassures them that they can always come to you for support and guidance!

Sleep

As a parent, your sleep schedule might not always be ideal, but the back-to-school season is a perfect opportunity to start instilling better sleeping habits for the entire family. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can save time and ensure everyone gets enough rest. Children today often lose sleep due to excessive screen time. To combat this, aim to keep kids off technology at least an hour before bedtime. Encourage activities that help them wind down, such as reading a book or engaging in quiet play. Creating a calming environment by dimming the lights and reducing noise can signal that it's time to relax.

Children typically need around 8-10 hours of sleep each night. To help them adjust to the school schedule, start moving bedtime earlier a week or two before school starts. Establish a set bedtime and do your best to stick to it consistently, even on weekends. By incorporating reading time before bed and gradually adjusting the bedtime routine ahead of the school year, you can ease the transition and help your children establish a healthy sleep pattern that will benefit them throughout the year. Plus, it gives you more time to yourself at night to unwind and recharge!

HOMework Time

While most kids dread doing homework, there are several strategies to make this time more enjoyable and productive. Start by setting a designated time or duration for homework each day, so your kids know exactly what to expect. Having a consistent schedule helps build a routine and reduces resistance.

Create a homework-friendly area that is quiet, well-lit, and free from distractions. This designated space will help your children focus better and be more efficient with their tasks.

Helping kids with their homework is an excellent opportunity for you to engage with them and make the experience a bit more fun. Consider creating a sticker chart to reward daily completion, providing a visual and tangible incentive for their hard work. Additionally, incorporating short snack or play breaks can help keep them energized and motivated. By establishing a structured routine, creating a conducive workspace, and adding elements of fun and reward, you can transform homework time into a more positive and productive part of the day for both you and your children.

For more ideas on creating the perfect homework environment, check out our comprehensive Guide to Kids' Spaces. Packed with practical tips, creative ideas, and expert advice, our guide will help you optimize storage solutions and create inspiring study areas. Transform your kids' spaces into a haven of organization and creativity, making homework time a more positive and productive part of the day.

Supplies

Back-to-school supply shopping can seem daunting, but with a bit of planning, it can be a breeze. Start by following the list provided by your school to ensure you get everything your child needs. This will help you avoid unnecessary purchases and stay organized.

To make the process even smoother, consider shopping online. Websites like Amazon allow you to find exactly what you need without the hassle of visiting multiple stores. You can compare prices, read reviews, and have items delivered directly to your doorstep. Additionally, many online retailers offer back-to-school deals and discounts, helping you save both time and money.

By using a detailed list and taking advantage of online shopping, you can simplify your back-to-school supply shopping and ensure your child is fully prepared for the new school year.

For a hassle-free shopping experience, check out Help You Dwell's Amazon storefront, where you'll find all the essentials curated just for you!

Please note that when you use our Amazon storefront affiliate links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. Your support helps us continue providing valuable content. Thank you!

5 Tips for the Back to School Routine

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One thing I love about a new school year is, it’s new. We begin the year with all As, we get fresh notebooks, new teachers, and get to start again. It’s also a great time to adopt a few new habits surrounding the school routine to help stay on top of the schedule, the clutter, the schoolwork, and to encourage your kids to have their best year yet. We’ve compiled a few tips to get your year off on the right foot!


5 Tips to Streamline the Back to School Routine!


Image: Magnolia

Image: Magnolia

1 . An Established Landing Space

This will look different in every home, entirely dependent on your home’s layout. This is an area that should be relatively close to the entry and exit point used each morning. Landing spaces can be useful to collect bookbags and store to-do baskets. Think of this as the command center of the morning on the way out the door. Check out this blog by Joanna Gaines for tips on how locker baskets can be used in your landing space!

 

2 . Routine Checklists for the Littles

Printable checklists ( laminated or put behind a glass for use with a dry erase ) can be so helpful to guide littles along their new morning routines, this gives them a sense of ownership of their morning and you can still be directly involved to keep them on track.


*We’ve created these two printable options as a framework to your morning routine!

 

3. Streamlined Schedules for the Big Kids

For kiddos that aren’t exactly kiddos anymore, a virtual approach could keep the entire family on board the same ship! Google calendar app can be a great option for synchronizing sports schedules, events, and the heavier after school schedule that the teen sports/club years can come with.

Another option is a centralized large chalkboard or dry erase calendar in the home. This is a great addition to the landing space or command center and can be a great reminder when headed in or out the door each day. There are definitely pros and cons to each calendaring options, find what works best for your people.

 

4 . Art & Schoolwork Management

A great habit to adopt for school work brought home is “touch it once!” If the assignment is a worksheet or test from class that has no emotional connection to your child, and your child is ready to let go, after acknowledgment of their efforts and skill they now have by doing the practice, it goes to the recycle bin immediately.
As for artwork, a great rule of thumb for what to keep is to see if you can see the unique work of your own child in each piece. Once that decision is made, a clear Rubbermaid tote with your child’s name and school year(s) can be used if originals want to be kept.
Another option we love is ARTKIVE. ARTKIVE lets you send in all the originals to be professionally photographed and bound into a hardback book or a framed piece!

 

5 . Designated Homework Areas

This can be such a stress reliever in many ways encouraging productivity, organization, and quality of work. Establishing a homework zone can communicate the same thing to a child as “going to the office” can for an adult. You set the tone for their work flow and focus by designating study areas. This can be as simple as a lazy susan with cups of supplies easily moved to the middle of a table, or as established as a study nook in the home. Wherever the investment, the reward will be worth it!  

Let's school this...

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Such a bittersweet time of summer for all the mamas and papas of school-age kids out there. It's gone by so fast in some ways and in others, we cannot wait to get back into the rhythm of school. We totally get it. In an effort to make the next couple weeks move in the right direction with the least amount of stress, we've put together a few ways to get yourself and your kids ready to roll come that first day of school.

1. Get online and find the supply list.... today!
Most schools now post these on school websites, school Facebook pages/groups, etc.
And in Tennessee, this upcoming weekend, July 28-30 is tax-free weekend! While on the school website, check for meet-the-teacher dates and orientations too!

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2. Pull backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles, and lunch box containers out now to assess their status. Lots of these items are already on sale during the "back to school" season and can be great to purchase on tax-free weekend if needed.

3. Spend 15-20 minutes with your child in their room and take a quick assessment of clothes for the early fall and shoes. So often our kids are in sandals or barefoot all summer and we don't realize they've outgrown all their close-toed shoes, which many schools require kids to wear.

4. If you haven't already, be sure your kids immunizations are up to date. Most pediatricians and family physicians know what is required for each school in your area. If you're not sure, you can always call the school to confirm.

5. Take your kiddo(s) on a "date" sometime between now and the first day of school. Try to be intentional with them and give them the opportunity to talk about what they're looking forward to in the upcoming year and what they may be anxious about. This 1-2 hours could mean the world to them as you prepare as a family for what lies ahead.

It's not rocket science to get our kids ready to get back in the classroom but it is good to have a few reminders, especially for us who have older school-age kids and might be slippin' a bit (like me :).
Hope this list helps you and if you have any tips to share, we'd love to hear them and so would our readers! Comment below...

The Quick List for Back-to-School Organization

Here in Knoxville, the start of school is just over a week away for most of us. It's time to plan, shop, and prepare for another year of learning and growing. To start off the school year right, HYD wanted to share a few tips that can help make the transition more simple and efficient.

1. School Supplies

  • Obtain your child's class supply list from his/her school as soon as possible.

  • Take advantage of Tennessee's tax-free weekend August 7-9

  • Wait for discounts on items like clothing, electronics, and shoes that typically drop in price around mid-August

  • For eco-friendly options, check out MightyNest and earn money for your school while you shop.

2. Ease into School Routine

  • These last weekdays before school begins, begin waking late sleepers up a bit earlier and re-introduce school year bedtime.

  • Keep snacks readily available for kids throughout afternoon as meal times during school may differ from summer eating routines. Real Simple has a great list of snack options.

  • Remind your kids what you expect from them in their morning routine and after-school routine so they know what they're responsible for. Here is a checklist HYD likes.

3. Calendar Prep

  • Find your school's or your school system's calendar for the year and place all important dates including holidays, in-services, half-days, and report card days on your personal calendar now.

  • Create a central calendar the whole family can see with school and after school activities using a paper or whiteboard so it's easy to read and adjust like this one.

4. Prepare for Paper Piles

  • Make an effort from day one of school to fill out each form as you get them, place them back in your child's folder, and back to school before it gets lost in a pile.

  • Create a system for keeping art or school work that allows you to discard all other items the day they enter your home. In other words, go through folders each afternoon/evening, look at each piece of work, if it is an original that you would've liked to have seen as you looked back to that age and you have no other like it, keep it. Otherwise, recycle it.

5. Teacher(s) Support

  • Try not to miss any opportunity to meet your child's teacher or teachers. If you're not able to meet in person, reach out with an email to introduce yourself and offer help to make the school year successful. This is invaluable to both your child and his/her teacher. Teachers need our support, encouragement, and helpful knowledge that only we can give them about our child.

Help You Dwell wishes you and your family a safe and successful 2015-2016 school year!