Are your kids ready for school?

Summer has been great, but it's time to start thinking about the school year. In a little over a month the kids will be back in school, but area they ready? You should still let your kids have fun and enjoy their freedom, but prep them for the fall school year. Try using these simple 5 tips from Susan Stainsby. Remember, to make them fun!

1. Read
-If you haven't done so already have your kids start a small ready list. Or have them finish the list they already started. This will help to keep your child's mind active and sharp. Make this fun for the kids. Take a trip to the library or give them an incentive/goal to reach by the end of summer. What kid doesn't love winning at something?!
2. Make sure your kiddo gets enough sleep
-I'm sure you've loosened up on bed time these past few months. But, make sure your kid is still getting his/her full 8-10 hours. I recommend starting a school like sleep schedule about two weeks before school starts. Whatever their bed time is during the school year is when they should head off to sleep. You can be a little leanient on their wakeup time. (I'm sure you like your sleep too) This way, you won't have a crabby kiddo the first few weeks of school.
3. Emphasize the positive
-Make shopping for back to school fun! If you send out a negative vibe or make the shopping seem like work then your kids will have a sour feeling about going back to school. Let them pick out a school supply that is fun. i.e. Let them get that sparkly notebook. Also make school clothes shopping fun by taking a trip to McDonald's for lunch afterwords.
-You can also make some fun crafts that will get your kids in the school spirit. Try making homemade bookmarks, play number mazes, tic-tac-toe and create some fun crossword puzzles!
4. Don't wear them out
-This might be a little late, but don't sign your kids up for "five different summer camps." If they are already enrolled in a lot keep things low key the last few weeks before school. Give them some down time and let them play.
5. Practice handwriting and spelling
-"Kids who don't write during the summer have to relearn to write and spell when school starts." Have the kids start a journal and let them write about their daily summer adventures. Or spend certain days letting them create their own stories. If you've got a little one in the house you can also stop at a local teaching store or office supply store and find alphabet tracing sheets.

Hope you've all been having a great summer and I hope your looking forward to the school year!

Check out Mypersonalizedprint.com for personalized placemats! They have great games and activities on the back, perfect for that end of summer school prep!