It's the middle of August and the last days of summer are numbered. The time has come to transition from the disorderly days of summer vacation to the structure and routine of the academic year. Of course, change is never easy. Whether the kids are going to school for their first year or moving up a grade, the transition time can be quite chaotic. Kids have to get used to schedules and get back into the rhythm of the academic year. And it can't be done without the parents. They need to maintain and regulate everything to ensure the year starts off right.

No matter where the kids are going, there are a few things to keep in mind to ease the transition into fall:

Get the family involved

Preparing for a new school year is both exciting and anxious for children. Get them mentally prepared by talking. Talk with them about the things they'll look forward to in the new school year. Take your kids along for back to school shopping to get them involved and excited.

Sleeping habits

Getting enough sleep has to be one of the most important habits to get through a good school year. Unfortunately, it's one of the hardest to get into and keep. Kids love the freedom of sleeping late at night and waking up later in the morning. Summer has been the perfect time to fall into this habit, but it won't hold up well once full-time school days begin. Start off by setting up an early bedtime schedule a good amount of time before school starts.

Remember, it's important to ease the kids out of late sleeping habits. No one generally reacts well to sudden changes.

Eating habits

Adequate sleep and nutrition are both very important for a good day at school. Just like with sleep, children will slip into more lax eating habits that just won't cut it when school comes around. Ease them back into eating habits that line up with a school day schedule.

Create a set schedule

Make a timetable and assign times for activities such as study time, bath time, and play time. With a timetable, kids can get accustomed to a structured routine before the school year starts. The schedule needs to help them sort out new priorities, like putting homework before screen time.

Teach them the basics

For the little ones, like those in kindergarten, you can take some time during the day going over the basics. To help them adjust to the new school setting, take the time to do activities with them. You can do crafts, organize play dates, and read to them every day. Doing these with them will aid in promoting creativity, social skills, and an eagerness to learn.

Get a head start on studying

Maybe one of your kids had some trouble in a subject last year, and might not feel too confident about in the next. Luckily, the summer vacation provides a great chance for you to help them take on some hurdles they may face. You can implement study time into the timetable. They may not see it as summer fun, but they might just need that little push. Study time will help boost their confidence and get them into a cycle of good habits before the school year begins.

Take care of tasks the night before

Mornings can most easily become the most stressful part of the day. You rush through breakfast, getting dressed and making your way out. Of course, there is the inevitable hiccup like forgetting lunch or important trip forms that just adds to the hectic mood. To prevent this, make it a part of everyone's night to get everything together the night before. Get their outfits laid out, pack the books and backpacks. Make lunch (and snacks) the night before to evade those unwanted last-minute delays.

Labeling is crucial

As you prepare your kid's school supplies, remember that things are going to get lost at school. You're not there to look after them all. To avoid the trouble and confusion, labels are your saving grace.

Label everything including:

Books
Binders
Backpacks
Lunch bags
Lunch containers
Pencil cases
Jackets
Sweaters
Snow pants
Boots
Running shoes

Just a reminder, everything with their name. When you're shuffling through the Lost and Found and see that tag you've labelled, you'll thank yourself.

The new school year is nearing and you want to start off right as you finally get your kids back on track with the regular routine. Problem is, the transition is never an easy one. Everyone needs to works together to make the shift easier and the new school year a good one. So, whether you’re sending them off for the first time or letting them go for another year, it’s a time of both excitement and anxiousness.