child education
5 Tips for Transitioning Back to School
Last Updated on July 27, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Heading back to the classroom is a big change following a summer of fun in the sun. Some kids eagerly embrace the idea of once again being surrounded by friends and thrive on the familiar tempo a new school year brings. Others resist the disruption to their laid-back lifestyle.
Understanding which mindset your kids are taking into this school year can help you set the stage for success. Creating a transition plan for your family makes the return to school a team effort and reinforces a support system that is essential for kids’ academic achievement.
“Even students who are excited about the new school year can benefit from a structured transition plan,” said Robyn Knecht, director of counseling for St. Joseph’s Indian School, a Native American residential school that helps students move beyond the cycle of poverty, addiction and mental illness with an education and opportunities for a brighter future. “Talking with your student about what aspects of school they’re looking forward to, and where they might have worries, allows you to tailor your transition plan to their needs.”
Start this school year off right with these tips for a smooth transition from the education experts at St. Joseph’s:
Get Back into a Routine
During the summer months, when there’s no bus to catch or school bell to beat each morning, many kids have different sleep schedules and less formal routines throughout the day. As you approach the start of a school year, begin easing back toward your classroom routine by gradually making bedtimes and wake-up times earlier. Introduce some structure with projects that blend play with learning to help re-engage those thinking caps.
Set Attainable Academic Goals
Having high educational aspirations is a protective factor that may help youth avoid at-risk behaviors. Goals should be based on the child’s abilities. Asking a student who consistently earns Bs to suddenly become a straight-A student probably isn’t realistic. However, you can ask your child to create goals that push his or her comfort boundaries, such as aiming for mostly B-pluses on first quarter report cards. Setting milestone goals that ladder up to larger, longer-term goals allows your student to build self-esteem, celebrate successes and stay motivated on the journey.
Make Organization a Priority
Modeling good organizational skills can help your student develop good habits that allow him or her to demonstrate a commitment to school and school-related responsibilities. For younger kids, that may be creating a designated place to store backpacks when they get home so you avoid the morning scramble. You can ask kids of all ages to help manage a file system where you keep school papers that need to be signed and returned. Older kids can benefit from learning how to keep to-do lists and their own calendars to manage school, sports, activities and social commitments.
Build Positive Relationships
While your parental involvement at home plays a vital role in your student’s success, so does positive engagement with supportive teachers at school. Leading up to the start of the school year, make a point to meet new teachers and develop connections that show your student he or she has a team of resources ready to share in celebrating achievements and provide a helping hand if challenges arise.
Encourage Involvement in Social Activities
Particularly for a student who lacks enthusiasm about school, finding areas for him or her to explore personal interests and excel can be particularly valuable. Treat the start of the school year as an opportunity to discover which social clubs and activities are available and find one (or more) that sparks enthusiasm. These non-academic settings can play a helpful role in developing close relationships with positive peers, which is another protective factor that supports positive outcomes for youth.
Learn more about the important ways you can influence your child’s success this school year and beyond at stjo.org.
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St. Joseph’s Indian School
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Food and Beverage
Protein-Packed Snacking for Back-to-School Season
Back-to-School Season: As busy families prepare for hectic school days, it can be invaluable to have nutritious grab-and-go options on hand for lunches and snacks. Having one less thing to worry about makes a difference when you’re juggling work, school, sports practices and games, and other extracurriculars while trying to keep everyone fed and happy.
Last Updated on August 6, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Protein-Packed Snacking for Back-to-School Season
(Feature Impact) As busy families prepare for hectic school days, it can be invaluable to have nutritious grab-and-go options on hand for lunches and snacks. Having one less thing to worry about makes a difference when you’re juggling work, school, sports practices and games, and other extracurriculars while trying to keep everyone fed and happy.
Watch this video to learn more
Since protein is an important nutrient for energy and satiety, choosing options like PB2Go Cups could be the perfect solution. As the pioneer of powdered peanut butter, PB2 has made it more portable than ever with the introduction of their new, on-the-go cups.
With 10-11 grams of protein per cup, they’re easy to toss in a lunchbox or backpack, offering a convenient way to keep your family powered up through the afternoon. Simply add water to the fill line, stir with the built-in spoon and enjoy the Original or Chocolate Chip flavors on their own or as a dip with pretzels, crackers, apple slices or bananas for more flavor and fun during your snack break.
“Between packed lunches, busy schedules, and after-school activities, convenient protein options are a game changer,” said registered dietitian Mia Syn, a food and nutrition expert. “That’s why I love PB2Go Cups. With a built-in spoon in the lid, they’re ready to toss in a lunch box, backpack, or gym bag and enjoy wherever the day takes you.”
Whether you’re tackling early-morning school prep or searching for a ready-when-you-are snack to keep in your locker, powdered peanut butter is a healthy, satisfying choice. No stress and no mess makes for a winning combination, and families who value balanced nutrition will appreciate having a quick, pre-portioned source of protein on hand when their schedules are full.
For more information, visit PB2.com.
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Family
Teach and Inspire Your Kids by Exploring History as a Family
History as a Family: During back-to-school season, education is naturally at the forefront of most parents’ minds. While a lot of important learning is accomplished in the classroom, there are so many opportunities to continue challenging and developing children’s minds and hearts in family life as well.
Teach and Inspire Your Kids by Exploring History as a Family
(Feature Impact) During back-to-school season, education is naturally at the forefront of most parents’ minds. While a lot of important learning is accomplished in the classroom, there are so many opportunities to continue challenging and developing children’s minds and hearts in family life as well. Learning about history together is a practical way to inspire deep, meaningful conversations about the world, whether from books, documentaries or visits to museums.
Watch this video to learn more
Now is an opportune time to explore the story of Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager evading Nazi capture during the Holocaust. Families can read her famous diary together then visit “Anne Frank The Exhibition,” presented by the Anne Frank House at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. This comprehensive exhibition immerses visitors in the context that shaped Frank’s life, from her early years in Frankfurt through her tragic death and how her father ensured her legacy. The centerpiece is the first full-scale recreation of the Annex where the Frank family and four other Jews hid during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The exhibition, recommended for visitors ages 10 and older, is open through early 2027.
No matter what piece of history families choose to delve into together, they should take the time to discuss with their kids what they’re thinking and feeling about everything they’re discovering. Then together they can figure out what lessons from the past can be taken into the future.
“Anne Frank ’s story is a powerful reminder of what happens when fear and hatred are
allowed to take root,” said Dr. Chevy Humphrey, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
president and CEO. “At the same time, it reveals the quiet but enduring strength of
curiosity, creativity and resilience, values that sit at the heart of our mission. We hope this
exhibition offers meaningful moments of reflection for our guests, particularly young
people, and encourages them to think critically about their role in the world they are
inheriting.”
Learn more about the exhibit and other experiences that bring history and science to life at GriffinMSI.org.
SOURCE:
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
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The Power of Curiosity: Building More Engaged Learners
(Feature Impact)Young children are naturally curious. They ask endless questions, investigate their surroundings and constantly test how the world works. While that curiosity can leave parents feeling exhausted or overwhelmed, it’s one of the most important drivers of early learning and development.
Curiosity helps children build confidence, develop critical thinking skills and become more engaged learners. Dr. Lauren Loquasto, senior vice president and chief academic officer at The Goddard School, and Mary-Alice Moore, president of Highlights for Children, share why curiosity matters and how parents can nurture it.
Why Curiosity Matters
Curiosity is the engine that drives learning for young children. When they are interested in a topic, they become more motivated to explore, ask questions and seek solutions. That process strengthens important skills such as attention, working memory, flexible thinking and problem-solving. It also helps develop confidence.
For young learners, confidence does not come from always knowing the answer; it comes from believing they can find it. Children who are encouraged to explore their interests and investigate new ideas learn that questions are valuable and discovery is rewarding. These experiences lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
Curiosity Evolves as Children Grow
Curiosity looks different at each stage of development. For infants, it’s largely sensory. They learn by touching, tasting, listening and observing people and objects around them.
Toddlers often express curiosity through movement and repetition. Climbing, stacking, dumping, filling and repeating the same activity helps them understand how things work and builds their sense of control.
Preschoolers and kindergarteners become natural investigators. Their frequent “why” and “how” questions reflect a growing desire to understand relationships, solve problems and make sense of new experiences and the world around them.
As children grow, the role of adults evolves as well. Parents move from primarily protecting and guiding children to fostering environments that encourage exploration and independent thinking.
Follow Your Child’s Interests
One of the most effective ways to nurture curiosity is to pay attention to what naturally captures your child’s attention. Whether they’re fascinated by vehicles, animals or building structures, those interests can become powerful learning opportunities. When children are engaged in topics they enjoy, attention and persistence often develop organically.
Consider what causes your child to lose track of time. Those interests provide important clues about what motivates and excites them. Rather than rushing to provide answers, encourage deeper thinking by asking open-ended questions that invite them to explore their own ideas and observations.
Parents Don’t Need All the Answers
Many parents feel pressure to have answers for every question their child asks. In reality, one of the best responses is often “I don’t know. Let’s find out together.”
This models curiosity and shows your child that learning continues throughout life. It also transforms questions into shared experiences and opportunities for discovery. Encourage your child to remain engaged and curious using simple phrases such as:
- “That’s an interesting question.”
- “What do you think?”
- “Let’s investigate.”
If you’re unable to respond immediately, it’s important to acknowledge the question and return to it later. Following up communicates your child’s ideas and questions are valuable.
Setting Boundaries
Curiosity should be encouraged, but safe boundaries remain essential. When children become interested in something unsafe, simply saying “no” may stop the behavior, but it does little to support learning. Instead, explain why something is unsafe and redirect curiosity toward an appropriate alternative.
For example, if your child wants to explore knives, explain knives can hurt people then offer safe cooking tools or supervised kitchen activities to investigate instead.
Using Technology
Technology can play a positive role in nurturing curiosity when it’s used to extend real-world experiences rather than replace them.
After spotting a ladybug at the park, for example, a child might use videos or age-appropriate digital resources to learn more about insects. The real-world encounter sparks curiosity and technology helps deepen learning.
By listening, encouraging exploration and demonstrating curiosity yourself, you can help your child develop skills that extend far beyond the early years. For more parenting guidance, visit the Parent Resource Center at GoddardSchool.com. Visit Highlights.com for magazines, books and resources for parents and educators.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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