It’s back to school season; a time parents celebrate and kids, well, don’t. Perhaps your son or daughter will be much more excited about going back to school this year with the right encouragement from you. Allowing your son or daughter to be a little bit more independent when it comes to preparing for the school year and encouraging extracurricular activity are all ways to make sure your child doesn’t dread waking up after the summer is over. If you’re having a hard time getting your child motivated about returning to the classroom, here are some suggestions that will help:

Preschool and Elementary School-aged Children

If your child is beginning preschool, you’ll want to be extra sensitive regarding this very important transition. At least two weeks before preschool starts, talk to your child about going to school, and ask what they will like about being a student. It’s also a good idea to practice being away from your child for hours at a time, so that he or she will get used to not being around you throughout the whole day. If you can find books or videos about the first day of school at your local library or bookstores, take a few of these home to read to your child, so that he or she will get used to the idea that “big boys and girls”go to school, and that starting school is definitely a good thing. Reading to your child about the first day of school will also let them know that it is all right to be afraid or nervous, but school is necessary for learning, and will even help them to make new friends. You should also go shopping with your preschooler to purchase supplies that he or she will need for school and home. For instance, if you’re buying crayons or paint for school, purchase a smaller box of crayons at home, so that your child can practice coloring and drawing at home. This will get your preschooler used to the idea of homework, so the concept won’t be so foreign when he or she reaches elementary school. On the first day of preschool, make sure that you can take your child to school yourself, and let him or her get used to the environment before you leave. You may not be able to do this every day, but try to be in your child’s classroom to say goodbye in the morning for at least a week or so, until he or she gets used to this major change in their day.