School as most people know it stopped abruptly a year and a half ago, and most children around the country endured uncertainty and changes to their traditional school lives all last year. It is unlikely school will be back to normal this year, which is understandably frustrating for kids. As parents and family members, we have the power to lighten children’s stress loads by helping them navigate the school year. Here are 7 ways to make this school year more fun.
1. Practice Organization.
While that does not sound like the most fun activity, it has the power to lower
everyone’s stress. Putting systems in place at the outset of the year such as
matching notebook and folder colors for classes for older kids or cleaning out
and organizing the backpack each night for younger ones will save time and
energy. Taking 15 minutes every night to make sure everything everyone needs
for the next morning is in place will set everyone up to have a happier day.
2. Outfit Prep
You’ve heard
of meal prep. This is just like that but with clothes. If you have elementary
school-aged children, you can have them pick out their outfits for the week on
Sunday. Canvas shoe racks that hang in the closet are perfect for storing their
rolled-up outfits so they can just grab them and dress themselves in the
morning. Though older kids like the ability to change their minds, encouraging
them to hang up 5 outfits they like helps ensure their laundry is clean and
ready for the week.
3. Schedule Downtime and Stick To It.
Many of us overschedule our lives, and we’re stressed out because
of it. We have the power to change that. This could mean that everyone has one
hour after school or work to just relax. It could mean that you reserve one day
a weekend just for downtime and rejuvenating. However you make this work for
you and your family, it will help everyone be more receptive to fun.
4. Buy Fun School Supplies
Allow your kids to
personalize their school supplies to reflect their personalities. The last school
year was limiting for so many, especially for children who learned remotely all
year. Picking out funky folders or cute pencils can help students feel excited
for the year. The littlest things really can have a big impact on our mindsets.
5. Celebrate Reaching Goals
Set goals and celebrate when they are met. Everyone benefits from achieving the goals they set. Help your
children set manageable goals and maybe one or two stretch goals. Join them
with your own goals. Make plans for how you will achieve them and celebrate each
person as they achieve each of their goals.
6. Be Active Together.
If
your children do not have outlets for their physical energy, they might
struggle to pay attention in school. Do some yoga together before school. Play
tag or hide and seek or have a dance party before breakfast. After school,
spend some time doing physical activity before sitting down to homework.
Exercise boosts our brain health in a variety of ways and family playtime might
just be a lot of fun.
7. Enjoy Snacks and Meals Together
Time spent preparing food together is time to reconnect and reflect
on your day. Smoothies are the perfect after-school snack because you can fill
them with nutritious fruit and yogurt and they taste delicious. Use Superberries
Aronia berry Concentrate in smoothies or other drinks to help your family stay
healthy and happy this year.
Not everything is in our
control right now. We can, however, make a lot of positive changes with small
cumulative efforts. Taking a little time each day to focus on health and
happiness and limiting stress will make a world of difference for you and your
family this school year.