Blog Summary: Back-to-school season is the perfect time to reset routines and prioritize your child’s health, well-being, and confidence — here’s everything you need to know as a parent of a school-bound kid to get them ready before the first bell rings:
- Practical tips to help your child transition smoothly into the school year with structure and support
- Healthy habits for balanced nutrition, strong daily routines, and effective dental care
- A dentist-approved oral hygiene checklist designed for busy families
- Key reasons to schedule a back-to-school dental appointment and what to expect during the visit
- Actionable strategies to build independence, reduce stress, and support your child’s overall success
The start of a new school year provides us a chance to do more than just buy school supplies and complete summer reading assignments or projects last minute (let’s be honest, we’ve all been there!) It’s also the perfect time to hit the reset button, turn over a new leaf, and examine our routines.
When it comes to the health and well-being of your little ones in particular, there are several steps you can take.
We hope this blog will serve as a quick back-to-school resource for parents who are busy but also want to make sure they’re not forgetting any important action items before the first bell rings in a new academic year! With that said, we’ll go over some key ways you can help your whole family, including your school-bound kiddo, transition back into the school year. From health to organization and preparedness, we cover it all!
How to Help Your Kids Prepare for & Transition into a New School Year
The transition from the carefree vibes of summer to the diligence and intentionality required during the school year can be a tough one for both kids and their parents! So one of the best things that you can do for both your sakes is to create some structure by establishing routines.
It’s also important to treat this transition positively. Remember: from a developmental perspective, your little ones are hardwired to model your behavior!
Here are four concrete ways to ring in the new school year with positivity and preparedness in equal measure:
- Start Back-to-School Routines Early: Ripping off the band-aid isn’t always the best option when it comes to making changes. It’s best to bring back regular wake-up times and bedtimes at least 1-2 weeks before school starts to help reset your little one’s internal clock. That way, they’re better prepared for their first day. This is also a good opportunity to reassess other routines like daily dental hygiene or chore structure.
- Do a School Day “Dress Rehearsal”: Practice the entire first morning a couple of times – especially for kids who are headed to school for the first time. This includes everything from waking up and brushing teeth to packing lunch and getting out the door on time for the bus (or your personal, unpaid limo service 😉).
- Create Visual Checklists: Use fun charts or calendars so your kiddos can track their daily routines, thereby taking an active interest in them and fostering a sense of self-reliance. Include things like packing their backpack, getting dressed, and picking out clothing, or even helping make lunch.
- Talk it All Out: Discuss what your kids should expect during the school day, especially if starting a new grade or in a new school. For instance, it’s usually wise to go through their schedule with them. Consider also sharing your own positive school memories. Be sure to leave time for questions, too. You might be surprised at what your little ones ask (and you’ll get the chance to allay any potential fears).
In sum, aim to provide both structure and encouragement to your school-bound kids so they’ll feel confident, organized, independent, and ready to hit the books running!
Establish Healthy Habits: Back-to-School Health Tips for Parents
Creating healthy habits at home first is a super way to support your little one’s body, brain, and teeth, not to mention their mental health. So start the school year off strong with a focus on balanced nutrition.
Try to avoid packing lunches with heavily processed foods and excess sugary snacks. For example, instead of a corn-syrup-packed granola bar, try a moderate serving of fresh fruit with nut butter. Instead of juice boxes, pack a flavored water. Instead of candy, try yogurt, cheese sticks, or trail mix. Instead of chips, try crunchy veggies like carrots and cucumbers. If your little one isn’t used to eating this way, ease them into the transition! Aim for progress rather than immediate perfection.
While you’re at it, ensure to keep consistent bedtime and morning routines (which should always include oral care).
Specifically, when it comes to morning and evening dental health routines, be sure that your little one ticks every box in this back-to-school checklist that’s dentist-approved:
- ☐ Rinse their mouth with water after meals when brushing isn’t possible.
- ☐ Brushes their teeth for two minutes twice a day with an anticavity toothpaste that’s friendly on the oral microbiome, ideally upon waking and before going to bed, so that any harsh or acidic foods consumed don’t get rubbed around the teeth, potentially contributing to enamel degradation.
- ☐ Flosses twice daily using a floss that’s free of forever chemicals.
- ☐ Scrapes their tongue after brushing and flossing to remove embedded cavity-causing bacteria
For more information on establishing a healthy daily dental routine, read our Parents’ Guide to Dental Hygiene for Kids.
Don’t Forget to Make a Dentist’s Appointment!
You’ve already factored annual mandatory doctor’s visits, vaccines, and school pictures into the pre-school-year rigamarole. Don’t forget to make a dentist’s appointment, too! Dental checkups can help:
- Catch cavities and other concerns before they become problematic.
- Provide an annual teeth cleaning that helps remove plaque that can turn into tartar and cause cavities.
- Avoid missed school days from dental emergencies.
- Get custom mouthguards made for athletics.
- Ensure braces or orthodontic appliances are working well, or if your little one doesn’t yet have braces, see if they need them (that is, if your dentists’ office also has an onsite orthodontist).
- Boost your kid’s confidence via a clean, healthy smile!
Beat the Back-to-School Rush: Schedule Your Visit Today!
Dental checkups are a vital but often overlooked part of your little one’s health, and a natural addition to their back-to-school routine.
Beat the back-to-school rush and make healthy smiles part of your checklist! Schedule your family’s dental appointments today at a Super Dentists location near you.
