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SANDY — With school starting soon for many children in Utah, educators say it’s important to get kids back into the routine of a typical school day.
For some students, the first day of school happens this week. Students in the Canyons School District have to be ready for class this Wednesday. Alice Peck, Director of Elementary Schools, suggests parents have supplies ready to go.
“Make sure all of the things that are important to have read are laid out and organized. It could be clothing, backpacks or supplies,” Peck says.
But Peck says more important than giving kids the right supplies is giving them the right mindset. Getting kids on the right schedule is a big factor.
“It’s easy to get out of routine in the summer, but, the sooner you can get back into a routine that looks similar to the school day, the better,” Peck says.
If parents want to get their kids used to the schedule they’d see during a typical school day, it needs to be from early morning through late evening. They need to start waking up early enough to be ready for class, and they could set aside time in the evening for reading, which could help children prepare mentally for when they’ll need to do their homework.
Peck also says bedtimes are key, and not just for the kids. Parents need to make sure they get enough shut-eye to wake up in time to get the kids ready for the day.
“It’ll cut down the children’s stress if parents are up and ready,” according to Peck.
Also, it could be very easy to for children to dread their first day. That’s why Peck says parents need to be optimistic about the upcoming school year.
She says, “Talk positively about school and how exciting school is going to be and that you can’t wait to hear all about that first day and how important it will be that they do get a good night’s sleep so that they’re ready to get up and enjoy the day.”
