It's back to school at Soft Shoe

A recent NCFL (National Center for Families Learning) survey revealed that “nearly half of parents (41.2%) admit to feeling uneasy as a new school year starts, and the stressors vary from the day-to-day logistics of school to spending money to in-school socialization”.

We know the percentage is much higher for the school-age children returning to schools. Why? Many students are hesitant of the various unknowns for the upcoming school year, in regards to new teachers, new curriculum, keeping up with homework and socialization concerns. Just over 25% (27.4%) of respondents (from the same survey) admit it’s tough transitioning the family from Summer back into the school year routine. How can parents make the transition easier?

Getting your Children ready for the New School Year

Take time to reflect on the Summer memories you made. Make a scrapbook, journal or photo album of their favorite excursions. Look back over the past last two months with your child to document with photos or drawings of their vacations, campouts, picnics, barbecues, sleepovers, playdates and hopefully lots of outdoor play. They can use their memory book to show their friends and teachers to share their Summer memories. Plan something fun for them the weekend before school starts to officially say goodbye to Summer and keep their mind on positive things.
Talk to your child about his or her anxieties. Talk to your child about their feelings about back to school whether negative or positive. If they have any concerns, address them in a playful and creative, role-playing way to show them how they can meet any challenges (how to use a locker, getting to know their new teachers, making new friends or even bullying). Manage your own anxieties by maintaining a positive attitude about school with your children so you don’t increase their fears.
Start easing them back into the School Year Schedule. “To ease the transition, about a week before the first day of school, start their bedtime routine about 10 minutes earlier each night and wake them up 10 minutes earlier each morning, every day, until they’re back on track.” (PBS.org). As their bodies begins to adjust to going to bed and walking earlier, then the first day of school won’t be such a shock to their system. Remember school age kids need an average of 9-11 hours of sleep per night. (Sleep Foundation.org)
Return to a healthy eating routine. Summertime diets are usually filled with ice cream, frozen Popsicles, hot dogs and hamburgers, potato chips and many fast-food trips. Kids sleep, feel and learn better when they eat healthy. Get them back on schedule with healthy breakfasts and lunches, timed when they will be eating during the school year.
Create a fun school calendar for the kids. Show them with colorful crayons, markers and stickers of all the fun times ahead, whether those be school events (plays, concerts, sports or parties), or the upcoming holidays and days off during the school year. Make plans for upcoming school vacations so your children have something to look forward to.
Include your child in their School Shopping. After you download your school’s supply list, plan a fun day with your child to do their school shopping. Have them involved in choosing their backpack, pens, markers, notebooks, folders, etc. When buying their new school clothes and shoes, choose comfort and quality which will save you money in the long run as they will last longer. Get them involved in the decision-making process, so they look forward to showing off their new wardrobe. Make the shopping day fun and positive, even taking them out to their favorite restaurant for lunch.
Keep the lines of communication open before and throughout the school year. It is recommended to set aside even just 15 minutes per day, per child, to enjoy a quiet activity together. Whether playing a game, walking together or reading a bedtime story, your child will savor your undivided attention. These times can also give you a good sense of your child’s mood, any changes in their feelings or anticipate any issues they may be facing.

Back-to-School Shopping at Soft Shoe

At Soft Shoe, we are ready for our over 11,000 Madison County School, as well surrounding counties’ students, with a huge inventory of quality brand shoes, attire and backpacks for all ages. We are also offering a Back-to-School coupon (expires August 6, 2017) to make School Shopping easier on parents. (Click on image below to print out.)We have a large inventory of quality brand shoes for back to school, whether for the classroom, gym, sports or recess, including New Balance, Born, Merrell, Brooks, Chaco, Keen, John Deere, Skechers, Nike, and Stride Rite. See a preview of our shoes for preschoolers to high school seniors: