Back to School: 10 Tips for a Smooth Start

Entering a classroom full of new faces can be stressful for anyone, especially a young child who hasn't spent a lot of time away from home yet. Most schools will have an open house to give you a chance to stop in and meet the teacher together. Be sure to attend, so your child will see at least one familiar face on the first day. If your child is younger, try to arrange a play date with other children that will be in her classroom in the fall, too. She'll be so excited to see her friends on the first day of school, she'll forget all about being nervous!

Be eco-friendly, and give your child a cool way to carry her lunch at the same time, with fun, reusable lunch containers. Just be sure the containers are easy for little hands to open. Pack your child's lunches with all her favorite nutritious foods to keep her energized all day and ready to learn. You can even pack a little note of encouragement along with her food, so she knows you are thinking about her on her big day.

Also, be conscious of any foods that are not allowed in your child's classroom, due to food allergies. Most schools will make you aware of any policies they may have in place.

Finding an after-school hobby your child enjoys will give her something to look forward to and will make her excited to head back to the classroom. After-school activities can range from play dates at a friend's house, an organized sport, or classes that offer arts and crafts or other creative activities.

Just remember not to over-schedule your child. She still needs time to relax and re-energize after a long day of school, so try to get her involved in something that she enjoys and will help relieve any stress from the day.

A good way to support your child in school is to get involved. Volunteer to be a classroom helper a few days a week, or join the local Parent Teacher Association (PTA). That way, if your child is struggling or is having a hard time with a particular classmate, you'll know who can remedy the situation. This can also help you relate to your child's teacher, and enable you to work together if your child has any special needs.