5 Ways to Start the School Year off Right!

by Janene Russell View Bio

Janene Russell

Janene Russell is an elementary teacher turned toy inventing super-mom dedicated to early childhood development. As a lead product manager at Educational Insights, she brings over 15 years of experience and a unique educator’s perspective that melds creativity, laugh-out-loud fun and hands-on learning through toys and games. As a passionate advocate for kids of all abilities and needs, Janene is devoted to creating innovative new ways kids can learn, grow, and celebrate their own unique selves. Janene’s inspiration is often sparked by the wonders of playtime with her two young children, because after all, play is the work of the child and parent!

Here comes the new school year, parents! If reading that made you nervous…don’t worry! First-day jitters are 100% normal for kids and parents alike, even months before the first day of school. As a parent and first-day veteran, I’ve put together a checklist of five ways you can prep for the school year to ease those nerves (for you and your kids) and start the school year off with a smile!

1. Routine, routine, routine!
   Pretend it’s the first day of school. What time do you need to wake up? What are you going to wear? How long does it take to get to school? Do a rehearsal of a school-day morning routine and take a field trip to your kid’s school to ease them into the new, and unfamiliar environment.
   
   On the way there, talk about your own positive memories from starting school, like all the new friends you made, your favorite teacher, etc. to help kids feel excited about their own experience! When the first day rolls around, you’ll feel more prepared and confident, and so will your kid!
   
   
2. Build a strong foundation.
   Being comfortable with foundational skills like ABCs, 123s, colors, and shapes will help kids feel more confident as they begin their learning journey. Give them a head start on these academic stepping stones with hands-on toys that combine learning with fun, so they stay engaged while they play.
   
   A few of my favorite hands-on learning toys are:
   
   • Hot Dots® Numberblocks 1-10
   • Playfoam® Shape & Learn Pete the Cat® Groovin' Alphabet
   • Shapes Bean Bags


3. Dial up social and emotional skills.
   ABCs and 123s will help kids get an academic head start, but SEL (social and emotional learning) is vital for building friendships, managing emotions, and feeling confident in a new environment. I know what you’re thinking…ANOTHER thing you have to add to getting your kid ready for school? Don’t stress! SEL seems daunting but can be taught through play, especially with games!
   
   Games inherently require that kids take turns, win, and lose gracefully, follow directions, regulate feelings, and work with others, which makes them a perfect opportunity to learn social and emotional skills that will come in handy in school. Look specifically for preschool games; these usually combine SEL with important skills like colors, counting, or matching while also developing fine motor skills.
   
   
4. Big skills, little muscles
   The term “fine motor skills” describes the tiny hand muscles that help kids with big day-to-day tasks, like safely using scissors, holding a pencil or crayon, tying shoelaces, and more. Kids will develop gross and fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they engage those muscles…which means more playtime!
   
   On the way there, talk about your own positive memories from starting school, like all the new friends you made, your favorite teacher, etc. to help kids feel Here’s a list of ways you can develop fine motor skills through play—incorporate a variety of fine motor activities to best prepare kids for school:
   • Drawing or tracing
   • Play with blocks
   • Complete puzzles
   • Squish and shape with Playfoam®
   • Build with Design & Drill®
   • Play with bean bags
   • Pick up objects with safety tweezers


5. Sensational play
   Sensory play has become a popular stress-relieving tool for kids. Setting up a calm-down corner or a sensory station provides a space for overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious kids to feel grounded and connected again. We use Playfoam® for our sensory stations at home, which also builds fine motor skills while kids play and self-soothe.
   
   Multi-sensory play, when kids engage multiple senses at one time, can help build unique nerve connections in their brains! Engage other senses (sight, sound, smell, or taste) simultaneously with touch to provide a multi-sensory play experience that prepares kids to tackle more complex problems.

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