While summer is still in full swing for kids, parents understand that the new school year will be here before you know it. Even though there’s still plenty of time to soak up the sun, ride bikes,  and swim at the pool, it’s never too early to start preparing for the upcoming school year. This is especially true since there are around 50 million children enrolled in public education in the United States. That’s a lot of other families preparing for school, so be sure not to wait until the last minute. In this article, we’ll share some of the best back-to-school tips to help you—and your child—prepare for the new school year.

Tips for Going Back to School

• Make Sure Kids Have Everything They Need - The first step in preparing to go back to school is to make sure that your child has everything they need for the upcoming school year. Generally, your child’s teacher or school will share a list of items they’ll need in their new grade. On top of that, you’ll need to consider if your child needs any other supplies, like new clothes, a backpack, a lunch box, shoes, and anything else they may need to have an exciting and productive year.
• Build Routines - Another back-to-school tip is to start building routines at home. This will help prepare your child for what their schedule will be like when school starts again. Make sure they have a good sleep routine, which means they don’t stay up too late, wake up on time every morning, and still get the necessary amount of sleep each night. You can also start having “reading time” each night during a certain time to prepare them for studying and doing homework. Building these routines early on will ensure it won’t be such a shock when the time comes to go back to school because the change won’t be as drastic.
• Refresh on Coursework - Another important tip for preparing to go back to school is to refresh your child’s memory with some coursework from the previous year. Many children suffer from summer learning loss and end up having to re-learn information. Try to have your child start their new school year with their best foot forward by making sure they retain the information they’ve already learned. This doesn’t have to be boring either, as you can make it fun by using games, puzzles, and other interactive tools to help them flex their brain.
• Review Safety Information - It’s also important to review safety information with your child. This includes talking about safety when traveling to or from school, what to do if they are home alone after school, dealing with bullies, and interacting with strangers. Discussing this information ahead of the start of school will ensure your child knows what to do in given situations and can be as safe as possible.
• Sign Your Child Up for Afterschool Programs - Although school’s not here yet, it’s never too early to start thinking about what your child is going to do after school each day. One of the best options is to enroll them in an afterschool program. These programs provide a safe place where kids can still interact with other children, have fun, study, and more. Most importantly, it offers a place where you don’t have to worry about whether or not they are okay.

At the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta, we do whatever it takes to build great futures. We aim to serve the children in our communities, especially by keeping them safe and healthy while promoting respect and equality. One of the ways we do this is through our afterschool programs, which provide a safe place for all children where they have access to homework help, fitness activities, workforce development, literacy activities, and more.

Each of our programs and clubs provides kids with a safe place to play, learn, exercise, and receive nutritious foods. Find out how you can get involved with our organization by signing your child up for a club or afterschool program, making a donation, or volunteering to help our cause today!