Our tips for a good start to school after the holidays

The summer holidays are coming to an end and for many families it will soon be time to go back to school ! The transition from a relaxed holiday period to a structured school day can be challenging. But don't worry, with the right preparation the start of the new school year will be child's play . In this blog post we will show you how you can refocus and realign your family life for a good start to school after the holidays - including tips and a checklist for a successful start to school. The new year not only marks the beginning of a new chapter for the children, but also for yourself: set new goals, change or optimise habits - and use the "new year" to make a fresh start .

Why a good start to school is so important. Tips for parents on the start of school

A good start to school lays the foundation for the coming months. It not only helps you and your child to get used to the school routine again, but also helps to bring structure to everyday family life. Because: A smooth transition can reduce stress and increase motivation for the new school year . At the start of school, it can therefore be important to establish daily routines or to question existing ones.

The 1% Method: Small Change, Big Impact

The 1% method is based on the idea that small, consistent improvements over time lead to significant results. So rather than making radical changes, you might want to focus on small, daily improvements - both during preparation time and in everyday school life.

Examples of 1% improvements:

• Get up 5 minutes earlier every day.
• Read an extra page in the textbook.
• Brush your teeth for one minute longer.

Three areas for a successful new start with the whole family

1. Change & Establish Habits

The key to a successful start to school often lies in establishing new, positive habits. This is where the 1% method comes into play: small changes can have big effects.

Tips for new habits:

• Start adjusting bedtimes a week before school starts.
• Introduce an “electronics-free hour” before bed.
• Establish a set homework time after school.

2. "decluttering program" for the head

After the holidays, it is important to clear your head and mentally prepare for school. Especially, but not only, for the parents.

Ideas for mental reset:

• Practice mindfulness or meditation alone or with your family.
• Create a vision board for the coming school year. The vision board should make your goals and dreams visible and serve as a guide.
• Clean up the desk, the children's room and other places where life will take place during the school year.

3. morning routine for the whole family

A good morning routine can make the difference between a hectic and a harmonious start to the day.

Elements of a good morning routine:

• Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier for a relaxed start.
• Use breakfast together as family time.
• Prepare school bags and clothes the night before.

Important points for starting school: things you need

A good start to school begins with the right equipment. Here is a checklist of things you should keep in mind for the start of school:

• School materials such as notebooks and pens. The school will let you know in advance whether and which books you will need when school starts.
• Appropriate school clothing , but it's not just about functionality. Brands, coolness and topicality play a role, especially when starting at a new school or when moving to a secondary school, high school or grammar school.
• Ergonomic school bags are essential for your child's health. And unfortunately, they are often expensive. It can be worth looking for bargains in advance or buying used school bags.
• You can put together healthy snacks for the breaks together with your child. It is important that the snacks motivate, encourage willingness and also give a boost when the lesson just doesn't seem to be over.
• Drinking bottles are mandatory. Children often tend to drink too little. A colorful drinking bottle, preferably in the design of their favorite series or superheroes, can encourage them to drink more often.
• Sports equipment makes life easier for your child. Functionality should be the main focus here. Second-hand portals on the Internet or swap circles run by parents in the neighborhood are recommended. As quickly as the little ones grow, buying new sports clothes can otherwise be a costly affair.

Tip: Create a detailed list of materials for starting school and involve your child in the process. This will increase the anticipation of the new school year. Such a shopping list for starting school can also include small snacks, a toy or - depending on the child's age - a tablet or laptop.

Tips and ideas for a good start to school after the holidays

For parents:

• Communication with teachers: Contact teachers early to be informed of any changes or special requirements.
• Structure in everyday family life : Establish clear routines for meals, homework and leisure activities.
• Positive attitude: Speak enthusiastically about the new school year and the learning opportunities ahead.
• Healthy eating: Plan balanced meals and snacks. Dextro Energy* products such as the Muesli Bar or our Energy Gums* can help maintain motivation and readiness throughout the day.
• Enough sleep: Make sure your child gets enough sleep. A rested family starts the day better.

For children:

• Create anticipation: Read books together about the start of school or exchange positive school experiences.
• Set learning goals: Help your child formulate realistic goals for the new school year. The extent is crucial here. Expectations that are too high or too low can have a demotivating effect.
• Practice the route to school: Go through the route to school together, especially if something has changed.
• Meet friends: Organize meetings with classmates before school starts to make it easier to socialize.
• Promote independence: Encourage your child to pack his/her school bag and organize his/her materials.

Special tips for different school transitions

school start elementary school

The first day of school is a special event. Make it an unforgettable moment:

• Prepare a little surprise to put in the school cone.
• Plan a special family meal for afterwards.
• Take lots of photos for memories .
• In the first few weeks, talk to your child about what he or she is experiencing at school. The motto here is: Talking is silver, listening is gold .

starting school at high school, secondary school or middle school

The transition to secondary school can be challenging. It is therefore all the more important that parents make this important moment easier for their children:

• Discuss any fears or concerns with your child beforehand.
• Explore the new school building together and find out where the library and other important facilities are located nearby.
• Offer help and support now should academic or social challenges arise in the new year.
• Use the vacation before school starts to find clubs and other opportunities with your child where he or she can come into contact with new children outside of school.

Seven Tips for Planning the School Route

Planning the route to school is an important part of preparing for the start of school. There is hardly anything that parents of children who may even want to set off to school alone think about so much. Here are some helpful tips:

• Safety check: Walk the route to school with your child and pay attention to safe crossings, traffic lights and zebra crossings.
• Explore alternatives: Check different routes to school to find the safest and shortest route. Sometimes there are quieter streets or paths through parks.
• School route buddy: Organize your child to go to school with another (older) child. This creates security and makes the journey more pleasant for your child.
• Transportation options: Consider whether your child can ride the bus or bike to school. If so, practice using public transportation or cycling.
• Regular practice: Walk or drive the route to school several times before school starts so that your child feels safe and has the route in mind.
• Children's watches, smartphones and GPS trackers: Some parents don't think much of them, others swear by them. Special children's watches, smartphones and GPS trackers allow you to monitor your child's progress in an emergency or contact them in case of doubt.
• Observe: Don't worry, you don't have to turn into a master spy. If you like, you can observe your child from a distance as he or she takes his or her first steps without supervision. If there are other children around, you can quickly see whether the safety precautions you have practiced together still apply or whether they are being thrown overboard in the name of "coolness". If you then want to correct them, you can do so gently and subtly.

This is how you can give your family life a new structure with meaningful routines

A well-organized family life can reduce stress and create more time for quality moments:

• Weekly planning: Create a weekly plan every Sunday with all important appointments and activities.
• Allocation of tasks : Involve all family members in household tasks.
• Family time : Schedule specific times for shared activities.
• Flexibility: Leave room for spontaneity and unexpected events.
• Digital downtime : Agree on times when all electronic devices remain switched off.

habits for the whole family

Positive habits can make starting school and everyday life much easier.

• Reading and playing together : Establish a daily reading or playing time for the whole family.
• Exercise: Integrate regular sporting activities into your weekly schedule. How about climbing or dancing, for example?
• Gratitude ritual: Every evening, share three things you are grateful for.
• Healthy eating: Prepare meals together and try new, healthy recipes.
• Learning support: Establish a fixed time for homework and learning support.

Daily routines for a smooth school day

Consistent daily routines can make everyday school life much easier:

• Morning routine: Establish a structured morning routine as described below.
• After-school routine: Schedule time for snacks, homework, and relaxation.
• Evening routine: Set times for dinner, preparing for the next day and going to bed.

The Morning Routine: The Key to a Successful School Day

A well-structured morning routine can set the tone for the entire day. Here are some ideas for an effective morning routine for the whole family. Our tip: Use the holidays to hone your morning routine for the “serious side of life”.

• Get up early: Start the day 15-30 minutes earlier to avoid rushing.
• Hydration: Drink a glass of water immediately after waking up.
• Exercise: Incorporate light stretching exercises or a short walk.
• Healthy breakfast: Make sure you have a balanced first meal.
• Positive affirmations: Start the day with motivating thoughts.

Tip for parents of teenagers: Respect the changing sleep rhythm of teenagers and adapt the morning routine accordingly. Perhaps Dextro Energy* Focus Gummies° will help you start the day more focused and motivated?

5am ​​morning routine: An early start for parents

For particularly motivated parents, a 5 a.m. morning routine can be the key to a productive day. If this routine doesn't completely clash with your biological sleep rhythm, you can give it a try . The advantages are obvious:

• You have a little peace for yourself.
• You can meditate in a relaxed manner , do mindfulness exercises or start a short workout.
• You can shower and get dressed undisturbed during your me-time.
• You can plan your day in peace and create to-do lists for yourself and family members.

Back to Kindergarten: Even the Littlest Ones Need Structure

Many of our back-to-school tips can also be applied to everyday kindergarten life:

• Establish routines: Introduce fixed bedtimes and wake-up times.
• Promote independence: Let your child help you get dressed and pack your backpack.
• Create anticipation: Speak positively about the kindergarten and the friends there.
• Practice saying goodbye: Establish a short, loving farewell ritual.
• Quiet afternoons: Plan enough time to rest after kindergarten.

Checklist for the start of school: How to keep an eye on everything

To make sure you don't forget anything, here is a small, practical checklist for the start of school:

• Review and supplement school materials
• Check school uniforms and buy new ones if necessary
• Check school bags for functionality
• carry out vaccinations and health checks
• Planning and practicing the route to school
• Establish morning and evening routines
• Prepare healthy snacks and drinks
• Note dates for parent evenings
• Talking to children about expectations and goals
• Update family calendar

Dextro Energy* wishes you a good start into the (first) school year!

The transition from the holiday season to the school day does n't have to be stressful . With the right preparation, established routines and a positive attitude, starting school can be an exciting and joyful time for the whole family. Remember: small changes can have a big impact. Use the tips for starting school in this article to refocus and realign your family routine.

Whether it's the first day of school ever, starting at a new school or simply the beginning of a new school year - with the right attitude and preparation, nothing stands in the way of a good start to school after the holidays. The great thing is that you can use many of our tips 1:1 or slightly modified for starting daycare or kindergarten. And don't forget: Dextro Energy* is your reliable partner when it comes to being focused, ready and present to master every challenge!

We wish you and your family a great start to school and a successful new school year!

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*contains carbohydrates

°Vitamin C, B6 and B12 each contribute to normal psychological function, normal energy metabolism, normal functioning of the nervous system and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

A varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important.

PHOTO CREDITS

all images: @iStock