Back To School Survival Guide - Tips for Preppies to Teenagers
Starting school is a significant milestone for both kids and parents. In Brisbane, where our kids don their crisp, neat uniforms in the height of summer, the excitement and nerves mix as they step into this new chapter.
Here's a comprehensive guide to help your children feel confident and ready as they embark on their school journey.
Welcome to your one-stop blog for every age and stage of parenting! We’ve got loads of tips for the early days, from surviving sleepless nights and snack battles to fun learning activities and prepping for those first days of school.
If you're wrangling young ones with boundless energy, you’ll find tons of sanity-saving ideas right here!
But don’t worry if you’ve got a teen in the mix – we’ve got your back, too with tips for teenagers gearing up for high school, from navigating new social circles to staying on top of homework (and maybe even learning to love it!).
Whether you're farewelling the kindy days or helping your teen tackle bigger challenges, this guide’s here to make every step a bit easier—and hopefully bring a little more fun to the journey!
Ready, Set, Prep! Big school Here We Come
Starting prep is a huge milestone—for kids and parents alike! The excitement of new uniforms, meeting teachers, and making new friends can be mixed with a fair bit of nervous energy (and that’s just us parents!). It's a big step into a whole new world, and it's totally normal to feel a swirl of emotions.
Visit the School: Take a tour to familiarise them with the environment. Show them their classroom, playground, and other important spots.
Practice the Routine: Start practicing the school routine a few weeks before. This includes bedtime, wake-up time, and morning prep.
Read Books About School: There are plenty of children's books that talk about starting school. These can help ease anxiety and build excitement.
Pack Together: Involve them in choosing their backpack, lunchbox, and school supplies. This gives the kids a sense of control and excitement.
School Schedule: Explain the general daily schedule, including start and end times, lunch breaks, and any special activities like art or PE.
Morning and Afternoon Routines: Practice the morning routine, including getting dressed, having breakfast, and packing their bag. Also, talk about how they’ll get home—whether it’s by bus, walking, or being picked up.
Social Skills:
Making Friends: Encourage them to introduce themselves to new classmates and teach them how to ask others to play. Friendships make school more fun!
Listening and Following Instructions: Reinforce the importance of listening to the teacher and following classroom rules. It’s all about creating a positive learning environment.
Asking for Help: Make sure they feel comfortable asking their teacher for help if they need it. It’s a vital part of their independence.
Basic Academic Skills:
Recognise Their Name: Being able to read their name on their personal items in the class is a step towards feeling secure and organized.
Basic Literacy and Numeracy: Knowing the alphabet, numbers, colours, and shapes is helpful but not necessary.
Personal Care:
Using the Bathroom: Confidence to use the loo independently, including washing their hands afterward is a great skill to have when starting school.
Managing Personal Belongings: Teach them to recognize and take care of their belongings, like their backpack, lunchbox, and hat will help build responsibility.
New School, New Rules: Starting High School
Starting high school is a whole new adventure, filled with excitement and nerves for both kids and parents! The thrill of new subjects, fresh friendships, and more independence can also bring a few butterflies as they step into this bigger, more grown-up world.
Master the Morning Routine: High school often starts earlier than primary, so work together to set a smooth morning routine. Prep clothes, pack bags, and plan breakfast the night before to make those early starts easier.
Pack the Deo: Remind your teen to add deodorant to their school bag! As they transition to high school, personal hygiene becomes even more important. Having deodorant handy on the hot days can help them feel fresh and confident throughout the day, especially after PE class or even break times.
Embrace Organisation Skills: High school comes with more subjects and homework, so help your teen get comfortable using planners, apps, or colour-coded folders to keep track of everything. These little habits can make a big difference!
Map It Out: Often high school classes will be in different areas of the school. Get a map of the campus and help your teenager plan out their day to avoid the stress of getting lost.
Encourage Independence: High school’s a time to start making choices on their own. Encourage your teen to take charge of packing their bag, tracking assignments, and communicating extra activities with you such as school sport days or excursion days where you need to arrive early.
Stay Socially Open: The social scene changes in high school, with new faces and friendships. Remind your teenager to stay open to new connections—they might discover some amazing friendships they didn't expect!
Get Involved: Encourage your teenager to join clubs, sports teams, or other extracurricular activities. It’s a fantastic way to meet new people, discover new interests, and make the high school experience even more enjoyable.
Ask Questions: Remind your teen that it's perfectly okay to ask questions, whether it's about schoolwork, schedules, or navigating the campus. Teachers and older students are usually happy to help—they remember what it was like!
Manage Stress: High school can feel overwhelming at times. Teach your teen some stress-relief techniques, like deep breathing, exercise, or even talking to someone about their feelings. Keeping stress in check is key to a successful transition.
Stay Connected with Friends: While making new friends is important, maintaining existing friendships can provide a strong support system during this transition. Encourage your teen to keep in touch with their primary school friends while building new relationships.
Parenting Playbook: Tips for Every Age
Keep It Upbeat: Your vibe sets the mood! Stay positive and enthusiastic to help calm their nerves.
Create a Fun Send-Off Tradition: Start a new family tradition for the first day of school, like a special breakfast or a quick photo shoot. This can help set a positive tone for the day and create lasting memories to look back on!
Fuel with Nutrition: Good food powers good days! Prep lunches and snacks that are healthy and delicious to keep their energy up and their minds sharp. Check out some great lunch box fillers in this blog:
Fun Tip for Photos
At Family Photography by Natarsha March, I understand how important it is to capture these precious moments and ensure your little ones are well-prepared for their big day.
Capture the first day with a special photo. Use props like a chalkboard sign with the date, grade, and their favorite things. It’s a fun tradition and makes for adorable memories.
As you send your kids off on their first day of school, remember that this journey is as much about growth for you as it is for them.
Embrace the mix of excitement and nerves—both yours and theirs! With a little preparation, open communication, and a dash of humor, you can help make this transition a positive experience.
Celebrate their milestones, big and small, and remind them that every new beginning is an opportunity for adventure and discovery.
Here’s to a fantastic school year filled with learning, friendships, and unforgettable memories!
FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER BRISBANE | NEWBORN PHOTOGRPAHER BRISBANE
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