I counted down the days until summer vacation, just like my students did. But now that summer is coming to an end, is anyone anxiously awaiting the return of school? Not so much. For me as a teacher, summer ending means designing new bulletin boards and scouring Pinterest for fun, new ideas. But for kids, summer ending means alarm clocks, homework, and walking into the unknown.
That can be daunting, and I have to admit that my own children are not exempt. This is my daughter on the first day of school last year. She was entering a “TK” program, or Transitional Kindergarten for 4-year-olds. She doesn’t look very confident, and I was going to be only one classroom away.
I want going back to school to be an exciting time for my children, so I brainstormed 5 ways to build excitement for the back to school season.
5 Ways to Build Back to School Excitement
1. Share Your Story
How you feel about school starting again comes through in the smallest of ways. Recount your own experiences in school; just leave out the times you may have been shoved in a locker or ended up with the beastly teacher. My husband is back in school, working on his Master’s Degree. It has been a great opportunity for us as a family to talk about the importance of education and continuing to learn. Let your kids know how cool you think learning is regularly. Believe it or not, they’re listening.
2. Gather School Supplies
Do you remember your first Lisa Frank binder? The unicorns, the puppies — I loved them all! Part of the fun for me getting ready to return to school was getting all of my school supplies. Since I wore a uniform, one of the few ways to express my individuality was through the stationery and art supplies I selected. It was serious business, and I agonized over every pen.
School supplies are expensive, but there are lots of great deals going on right now. If your child is a little nervous about school starting, consider splurging on the ginormous crayon set. It may cost a dollar or two extra, but helping your child feel prepared and excited is worth it.
3. Reconnect with School Friends
We live about 30 minutes away from school. It’s just far enough that we don’t run into classmates at the grocery store or at the park. All those promises to set up playmates with other moms kind of fell through. So it’s been a while since my kids have seen most of their school friends. For children who are established in a school, you can foster their excitement by reconnecting with those friends.
4. Walk Down Memory Lane
My little narcissists love to look at pictures of themselves. I don’t blame them; they’re adorable! Since I take their pictures on the first and last days of school, plus all of the school events in between, I’ve got quite a collection of school-related memories. Scroll through those photos and ask your child to narrate. By talking about the good memories of years past, he or she will unintentionally feel more enthusiasm. If you don’t have pictures at home, get out the yearbook!
5. Do a Dry-Run
This is especially important if your child is switching schools or has any alterations to past experiences. Rehearse your morning routine, drive, and visit the campus. My kids’ school is closed during the summer, but we can at least visit the exterior from the sidewalk. Ask questions while you visit school like, “Do you and your friends like to use that slide?” Engaging them in conversations about the fun components of school will foster excitement.
The end of summer vacation is a little depressing (for teachers, too). But going back to school doesn’t have to be a drag. Start building excitement now, and the first day of school will be a happier one for everybody.
How do you help build excitement in your children for back to school?
Kelsey Apley says
These are really great tips that I think can really help. Sometimes going to school can be scary great way to calm nerves!
Tammy says
This year is so different for us since my daughter will be starting college. We’ll be dropping her off at her dorm in 17 days!!
HilLesha says
I honestly don’t have to do much, because my son loves school! 🙂
Liz Mays says
Your last point about the dry run was especially important for us. That helped my kids a lot, especially since we moved frequently up until their teen years.
Colleen says
My daughter would SOO love to get together with her friends. This is one reason she can’t wait for school.
Raijean says
Hmmm… great tips, I’m keeping the ball rolling while by shop for his back to school supplies.
Kathleen says
Love these ideas, even as a homeschooled, the boys start getting excited when they see the new supplies and clothes.
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
Gathering and labeling school supplies is my favorite way to build excitement!
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says
My kids just never are excited to go back, LOL. No matter how hard I try! But I am sad they go back to, so maybe that is why?
Mimi says
These are great ideas. We’re going to an early open house on Wed so my son can learn to use his lock for his locker. Boy do I remember those younger years. I miss them!
Rhea says
These are great tips. We still have about 3 weeks and the “back to school” shopping frenzy has begun!
Tonya says
No back to school here in my house, though I do have a son that will be heading to college in January. I wonder if he’d pose for one of those pictures for me. 😉 Too cute!
Valerie Remy-Milora says
Those are some fabulous ideas Crystal! Back-to-school does often lead to mixed emotions for all of us. My girls tend to look forward to reconnecting with friends. We attend an international school so many of our families, ours included, travel abroad for the summer so back-to-school means the sharing of all the summer adventures. I am a life long learner and hoping to go back to school later this year myself and I love sharing my passion for learning with my girls. For my 17 year old this year comes with a lot of stress. She is entering her senior year in a French baccalaureate program and knows she is going to have a massive work load this year… and with the added stress of college applications, SAT’s, ACT’s and all that added stuff it’s a lot to handle!
Mandi says
Those are great ideas! We do a lot of talking about the upcoming events like picture day, spirit week, birthdays which seem to get them excited.
Kecia says
My oldest will start school next year, and I honestly can’t wait. I will miss him, but I know he will have so much fun. I’ll be taking pictures and sharing my stories for sure!! I actually went and bought both of my boys clothes this weekend just to pretend I was participating in the back to school stuff!
Elaina says
I always loved back to school season. Fresh new books, pens, bag.. but I almost don’t want my little one to go back to school because we are having so much fun this summer!
Melissa says
These are some great tips. I always loved going back to school but I can tell my son isn’t like me! I’ll have to try some of these!
Lynsey @MoscatoMom says
My girls must be in the minority because they are STOKED about going back to school. I am too LOL
Wendy says
We’re homeschooling this year, and my kids are EXCITED!
Kimberly Grabinski says
My daughter loves shopping for school supplies, it really helps get her excited about going back to school
Donna says
We have or will be doing all these by the end of this week… great tips!
Lauren says
We have fun going back to school shopping! I always loved that as a kid too.
Andrea Kruse says
Great tips! I have to say that my kids are actually so excited to be going to school. My son is an “old pro” going into 1st grade and my daughter is thrilled to be going into Kindergarten. She is excited because she already knows that teacher through her big brother. The grandparents take them clothes shopping and I help them pick out supplies. It is an exciting time of beginings.
Lisa says
I love your tips! They are soo great!
Mellisa says
Neither of my kids are excited, so I will have to try some of these tips.
Rachel says
Great tips! I love school… and I think our children feed off of our excitement for school and learning too. 🙂
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
My youngest has always loved school, since before he started going. No extra excitement needed!
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
My issue right now is just getting him to pick a college to go to.
Angela says
I’m an empty nester, so I don’t need to worry about back to school stuff. But my grandkids fortunately look forward to going back.
Digna D. says
Cute photos!! My son hates school and I don’t blame him as I hate it also. It’s just so difficult for some of us to sit for such a long time. And the boredom for me was so painful so I can relate to him. I have three kids and the only one that ever liked (loved) school was my oldest daughter. This only because she loved to socialize. She cried when the school year was over. Let’s just say her grades were a mess.
Beth says
School supplies are getting our kids excited for sure. I am ready to send them back now that they are so excited!
Marisa says
My kids are easy I guess. They get excited once we start back to school shopping. They love getting new clothes and school supplies!
Shell Feis says
I clearly remember my Lisa Frank binders! Back-to-school shopping was always fun and made me more excited for school to start. I also love the dry-run idea. So many schools do a “meet the teacher night” now which I think is a great idea, and a great opportunity to do the dry-run.
Marcie W. says
My kids are in a local charter school and will be attending their brand new location closer to our home. Between taking a drive to see the new building and going to our Meet & Greet night, my kiddos are pumped and ready to go!