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School is just around the corner, and let’s face it- some kids needs more motivation than others. I know when it comes to the children in my household, my oldest son (going into first grade) needs a lot of motivation. My twins ( who are 3) love school and can’t wait to start again. So, that being said, he needs much motivation. So how can we get kids excited to go back to school? Here are some tricks that I have tried to make back to school experience exciting!
Go back to school shopping – at the actual store
It’s so easy now a days to open your computer, go to on Amazon, Target, Walmart- or wherever you are buying your school supplies from, and just click deliver. However, bringing your littles to the store to buy their supplies will create a sense of excitement. They will be excited to buy cool looking erasers, glue, pencils and of course a backpack! Taking them to pick out their own supplies makes it their own, and they will want to show it off to their new class friends.
Just last week I took my kids to target to get a book bag, and how excited they were. They wanted a lunch box and a cool pencil box and a matching water cup! My 3 years olds don’t even eat lunch in school but it was so exciting for them. They couldn’t wait to start school!
Dazzle up their supplies to get them excited
Making their school supplies personal will get their excited going. Who doesn’t like dazzle up their belongings? They won’t be able to wait until the first day. Some suggestions for dazzling up their school belonging is adding their name to their book bag, pencil box, shoes, jackets and much more. If you are a DIY kind of person, then your little one might get excited to help you create the finished product. You can get a Bedazzle kit from any craft store, or buy it from Amazon here.
If you are not DIY kind of person, (I’m not either) you can go on etsy and find someone to do it for you.
Create a weekly lunch/ snack menu
Involving the kids in their own lunch will help them to get excited about going back to school. Make it fun. Get a big dry erase board and write the days of the week. Give them their options and have them chose which day they want what and what snacks go with it. If they eat hot lunch, write their choice of food that is served so they know what they will be having.
I know my son loves picking out his lunch the night before. He actually gets mad at me if I do not ask him what he wants. He fills up his lunch with his snacks, then he is happy because he knows what he is going to have and his lunchbox is already packed! Win- win!
Create a back to school schedule together
Kids thrive off having routines and schedules, and do quite well when they have them. Creating a monthly calendar with your child can help them with any anxieties they may have about going back to school and everything else in between. It will also create a sense of excitement because they will know the events coming up that month.
Include them in all the information like doctor appointments, birthday parties, class trips, after school activities. A large dry erase calendar is perfect for this. It’s fun to write on, and it is very visual. It’s also easy to change activities and events that are happening.
Read books to get them excited about school
Getting them prepared to return to school can get your child excited. Books are a great way to get your kids ready and prepared for school. It also represents how other children are feeling on the first day, something they can relate to.
Here are some books they may enjoy.
Preschool:
Kindergarten:
First grade:
Second grade:
Third grade and beyond:
Create a quiet work corner
This was a trick I learned from being a teacher in the classroom. Having a special corner or place where they can go to do work. This made them motivated to actually do the work because it was there special corner.
Having them help you create the corner is even more exciting! They can pick out fun pillows, a bean bag chair or even a small rug. Maybe they will want to take something that is special to them, such as a stuffed animal, and bring it to that corner.
Conclusion
Sending kids back to school can be so much fun with these quick ideas that are easy to implement. Get them involved in picking out their supplies and clothes, dazzle up their supplies and create a schedule are all ways to help get kids excited about returning to school. You can also chose some books to read with hem, and create a quiet corner that is special and just for them. I hope your little one has a fantastic start to the school year!
Need some more back to school activities to try?
Read more about sensory bins here.
Read more about educational ways to use play dough here.
I'm 40 years old and a mom of 2 three year olds and a first grader. I am also a Special education teacher. My passion has always been to help people, which is why I started this blog.