With summer coming to an end and back-to-school season right around the corner, there’s no better time to prepare your kids for their first day back in the classroom. In these times, there may be heightened anxiety surrounding both in-person and online education options.

Many parents are concerned about their child’s physical and mental health, socialization skills, and even their ability to manage challenging curriculums. If you are experiencing similar worries, you are not alone. We have pulled together a few tips to help get you and your family in the best position to tackle the new school year and prepare your kids for their first day of school.

For Your Kids

Communicate With Your Kids

• Communicating with your children on a regular basis creates a space where they feel comfortable to voice their opinions and concerns. It’s also the best way to understand how they are truly coping with the approaching school year.

• Set aside time each night to listen and converse with your kids about their day, allowing them to express themselves with no judgment. When sitting down for a meal together, initiate a conversation using some relaxed conversation starters that get the dialogue flowing.

• Leave all electronic devices turned off or in another room so that everyone is present, engaged and the conversation goes uninterrupted.

• Meet with your kids one-on-one for more serious discussions, giving them a safe, quiet space to open up about how they are feeling mentally, or give them a chance to express excitement about the impending school year!

• Communicating with your kids one-on-one also gives you a chance to learn about their current interests. Incorporate them into their back-to-school gear or activities to make your kids more comfortable and excited for their first day.

Familiarize Your Kids With the Classroom

• Younger children can often be intimidated by a new classroom setting. Take time before their first day to tour the classroom if possible, as well as the school grounds.

• Familiarize your kids with their teacher as well! Schedule an early meeting time on their first day of school so everyone can get to know each other. This can relieve some anxiety for both you and your child, and make the transition to a new classroom go a little smoother.

• If your kids are online students, allow them to help design their workspace to make it an area they enjoy being in, while being sure it’s a space that supports their ability to focus and learn.

• Look into ergonomic seating and desks that grow with them so they can use their learning space long-term.

• Be sure to walk through the digital “classroom” as well to allow you and your child time to adapt to this hybrid learning environment. Knowing where assignments and important announcements are located online prevents unneeded stress once the school year ramps up.

Get Your Kids Organized

• Back to school season gets hectic quickly, so start your back to school shopping now! Make sure they have the gear they need to start the school year off prepared and organized.

• Buying new can get expensive quickly, so consider shopping second-hand to find back-to-school outfits that are like new. Bring your kids along so they can pick out outfits that match their style and interests. Feeling good in what they wear can give them an added confidence boost on their first day.

• Getting your kids organized goes beyond just having the right binder, pens, and backpack. Be sure to get them organized mentally as well. Summer often gets kids out of the regimented routine of a school day (as it should). But, this can hinder their focus going into the new school year if not addressed in the preceding weeks.

• Start by adjusting their daily routine, so that the transition to the school day is more seamless. Earlier bedtimes and wake-up times will help to get them conditioned to waking up early for class.

• Balanced nutrition also helps to improve their focus and keep them from needing a snack throughout the day. The food we eat directly affects our ability to focus, our overall energy levels, and our ability to fight off illnesses. Be sure to fuel your kids with the right food to get them feeling their best as they begin the school year. Also, use this time to learn what kind of foods they like to make sure they are eating a balanced meal that they enjoy during the school day.

For Parents

Stay Up to Date

• Staying up to date with the latest school news, trends, and even health advisories can give you peace of mind when it’s time to send your kids off to school.

• To avoid getting overwhelmed with information, search for resources that summarize information into digestible social posts, podcasts, or news articles.

• Or, for more medical related news, consider following local health providers on social media to get quick, summarized, and updated posts on health conscious tips. For example, providers like Health Net utilize their facebook page to deliver timely advice for their customers, while WebMD’s podcast “Health Now” provides episodes that deliver timely advice to listeners. There are so many ways to remain up-to-date without inducing panic, you just have to find what works best for you and your family.

• Reach out to your school district to find ways to stay connected and up to date with the steps they are taking to keep everyone safe and healthy, and also reach out to your child’s teacher! They can walk you through their process for the new school year whether their class takes place in person or online to ease any further worries.

Be Supportive, But Set Boundaries

• Supporting your kids is a natural part of being a parent, but without setting boundaries, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and burned out, especially when the school year is in full swing.

• It’s easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle, but finding ways to find calm throughout your day can help to keep your kids organized and at ease as well.

• Find ways to practice regular self-care. Whether it’s dedicating one hour a day to your favorite hobby, quiet time away from the kids, or just time to get caught up on chores without distractions. Make time for yourself. If you feel lost on where to start, check out resources like Parent Self Care to get some helpful ideas of how to unwind.

• Or, try mindful practices like yoga, meditation, or exercise as a way to relieve stress and clear your mind. Consider adding these to your daily routine to balance your mental health with your physical health.

• Be sure to communicate your need for space with your family. That way they can give you the support you need in return for the support you give them.

• Setting boundaries takes effort. Hold yourself accountable and prioritize yourself so you can be your best when you return to work and family responsibilities.

Back-to-school season is a stressful time for parents and kids alike. We hope these tips will help your family take on this time with less worry and more excitement!

Quick Video Tips for Teachers Welcoming Kids Back to School

Whether it’s a child’s first day of kindergarten, grade one, or students returning for any grade, every new school year is a new beginning with many adjustments to be made. There are new faces, new teachers and new classrooms that present exciting, yet challenging situations.

Hopefully, parents have done everything they can think of to make returning to school a positive experience. So, here is a quick little video for teachers on one important way to make everyone in their classroom feel valued and part of the classroom. How to get their names right!

Discover more back to school tips for teachers.
Read why some kids love school!

For most parents, shuttling children from one place to another is an everyday affair. Parents transport kids to school, activities, errands, and back from morning to evening. That’s why a family cargo bike deisgned for kids has become a favorite alternative transport option for parents on the go.

If you’ve never seen a cargo bike or considered one for your family, you may not know how amazing these bicycles can be. The latest versions of electric cargo bikes are far more practical than traditional bicycles. The heavy load capacity offers families a multi-purpose, practical way to transport multiple kids and all their stuff just about anywhere they need to go.

In this article, we explore the benefits, designs, functionality, how to utilize cargo bikes for daily tasks, and tips and tricks for using cargo bikes for kids.

Benefits of Cargo Bikes for Kids

• Environmental Benefits: A family cargo bike is incredible for adventures and creating memories and serves as an excellent tool to teach children about the importance of environmental protection. Since cargo bikes are powered with a battery-powered rechargeable electricmotor and are powered by pedaling, making them an environmentally friendly method of travel. Families will also save time and money by skipping fossil fuels and avoiding overcrowded traffic lanes.

• Physical & Psychological Benefits: One of the most dangerous health trends for children comes from inactivity. Health professionals have stated that prolonged sitting has adverse health effects on our bodies, similar to those caused by smoking cigarettes. Adding a family cargo bike will excite kids about getting outside and being physically active.

• Relationship Building: When using cargo bikes for kids, every trip to the store or school is an adventure filled with exploration, conversation, and learning experiences. Sharing these journeys together helps to create relationship-building family memories and strong relationships that will continue long after a kid grows up and has a bike of their own.

Design And Functionality of Cargo Bikes

• Cargo Bike Designs and Types: Using a family cargo bike for transporting kids is available in a variety of designs and bicycle types. Some of the most popular cargo bike designs for children are long-tail cargo bikes, cargo tricycles, mid-tail cargo bikes, box bikes, and box tricycles. When searching for a cargo bike for sale, it is essential to remember that most designs also come with an option to add a battery-powered electric motor to assist with long trips and varying terrain types.

• Additional Features of Cargo Bikes: Cargo bikes for kids also include many additional features, such as extra comfy seats, seat belts, seat safety attachments, protective roofs, sun and rain canopies, table attachments, and more. These features allow children to stay safe and comfortable no matter how long the adventure lasts.

Utilizing Cargo Bikes for Everyday Tasks

• Transporting Children to School: With a family cargo bike, it is easy for parents to cycle children to and from school without the need for a second car or vehicle. Biking to school with a child gives parents more unique opportunities for conversations, learning experiences, and exploring the world around them together.

• Fun Cycling Activities with Kids: When cycling on a cargo bike with a child, there are an unlimited number of fun travel activities that parents can utilize. Families can play fun games during the journey, like looking for specific things in nature like “I Spy.” Parents can also teach kids about local landmarks, flora, fauna, and animals throughout the ride.

• Other fun activities to try are geocaching, Pokémon Go, exploring new playgrounds or parks, stopping for a picnic, or imagining what objects the clouds resemble. There are no limits on how many fun games families can share. Another benefit of cargo biking is discovering the growing community of biking families through social media or groups. Families will enjoy taking children on group rides, meeting like-minded people of all ages, and making new friends when they become participating members of local cargo bike groups.

Tips and Tricks for Using Cargo Bikes

• Safety Tips for Cargo Biking with Children: Keeping kids safe should be a top priority no matter what method of travel, and that is no different with cargo bikes for kids. Most cargo bike models have various safety features like child safety seats, three-point harness system seatbelts, roll cages, running boards, and strong cargo boxes. Riders should also stick to the designated bike route or trails when available for the ride and use additional biking safety gear for kids such as blinking safety lights, helmets, pads, and mirrors to ensure the safety of all the precious cargo aboard.

• Choosing the Right Bike Model: Choosing the right family cargo bike means exploring the features and models that best fit the group’s lifestyle. Variables such as how many children are in the family, how old a kid is, where they will ride the bike, how much cargo it needs to hold, and how far they plan to ride will all play a role in finding the perfect cargo bike for sale.

Conclusion

There’s a good reason why cargo bikes for kids and families have grown in popularity worldwide. With the many advantages and versatility of using an electric cargo bike, families can travel more, save money, improve overall health, reduce carbon footprints, increase quality time with children, and allow them to explore the world around them like never before. Add a family cargo bike to your home today to create new family pastimes that will positively impact a child for generations.

Read how to prepare your kids for their first day back to school.

Every child needs to be taught about the value of money, along with providing them with proper guidance on saving money as a student, and school is the best place to begin.  The earlier children understand how they can save money, the earlier they can begin building the foundations of their finances.

If you teach students how to save money while they are still in school, it would provide them with a path to the right direction in the future.

That being said, budgeting, financial literacy and money management are not exactly interesting to hear.

Partly why schools do not opt for teaching elementary students how to budget is due to the fact that it is a dry concept that is not likely to be of any interest to the students, and that they will not grasp it at this stage.

However, we have curated some incredibly interesting and creative methods to teach students how to save money.

Teaching students about saving money: why is it important?

The value of money and budgeting are indeed something that everyone needs to understand at some point in their life, but why is it so important to start this early?

Well, for one, teaching kids about frugality and similar techniques prepares them for the future. Building up a thorough understanding on saving money while they are children will strengthen their chances to achieve financial stability in the future.

They will eventually be heading to a university for higher studies in the future, and these skills would help them efficiently manage their budget and avoid going over when they are on their own.

How to teach students about money saving

1.   Assign a Clear Jar for the Class

Although a piggy bank works as well, you should instead opt to use a clear jar to promote savings for the students.

The reason for specifically using a clear jar is that it will provide kids with a visual. Being able to notice the progress they are making on savings is a great way to keep them motivated to the cause, and once they notice the jar filling up, they will want to save even more.

2.   Introduce them to coupons

When teaching your students about ways to save money as a student, show them the power of coupon codes.

Budgeting is an important aspect of money management, and redeeming discount codes can help stay within the budget.

Introduce them to coupon websites with printable coupons that are home to excellent savings from numerous different companies.  This will help them save up even when they go to the movies or decide to grab a bite to eat.  Coupons will make them aware of discounts that will help them budget more efficiently in the future.

3.   Set a Goal

It is essential to encourage students to come up with a savings goal like a unique gift they are wanting, when teaching them the value of money and saving.

This provides them with a purpose to keep in mind, which influences their dedication towards saving up. Students are more likely to add money into their savings more frequently if they know what they are working towards.

Once they have decided on their savings goal, provide them with guidance on how they can divide their goal into smaller subtasks that are easier to accomplish.

For instance, if a student’s savings goal is to gather enough for a $40 game when they earn a $20 weekly allowance, instruct them to divide the goal into 4 weeks, saving up $10 every week.

4.   Offer Them Incentives

Saving money can become quite frustrating for young students, who are impatient to spend it all as soon as possible. To avoid students burning through their savings, you can motivate them by offering incentives.

As a teacher, there is a lot you can do to make sure that your students are pumped up to save up! For instance, you can set a monthly competition between the students and promise extra marks or any other reward to the child that saves the most.

Final Words

You cannot teach kids dry concepts the same way you can teach adults. However, following this guide will provide you with some fun ways to get the value of saving up and budgeting across without losing their interest.

Achieving a consistent fitness routine, especially during the ever-tempting summer months, can be quite challenging. However, with the right approach and mindset, staying on track and maintaining your fitness momentum throughout the season is possible.

Whether you’re an individual striving to keep fit or wondering, “What is the best certification for a personal trainer?” so you can help others on their fitness journey, understanding these strategies can make a significant difference.

Establish a Regular Routine

The first step towards maintaining your fitness routine throughout the summer is establishing a regular schedule. A consistent routine can make sticking to your fitness regimen easier by creating a sense of predictability and reducing the mental energy needed to decide when to work out.

Start by identifying a time of day that works best for you — be it early morning, afternoon, or evening — and consistently set aside that time for your workout. Try to treat this time as non-negotiable, just like an important business meeting or family commitment. This way, even when you’re on vacation or your schedule changes, you’ll already have a built-in habit that makes it easier to find time to exercise.

Remain Hydrated and Feed Your Body

The summer months can be deceptively draining. High temperatures and increased sun exposure can easily lead to dehydration and fatigue, both of which can hinder your fitness routine. Drink plenty of water before, throughout, and after your workouts. Also, remember to fuel your body with the right nutrients.

Consume balanced meals rich in protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats.  This will give your body the energy it needs to properly maintain the intensity of your workout. Additionally, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables can help combat inflammation and aid in recovery, keeping you ready for your next workout session.

For those seeking an extra boost of hydration and nutrients, innovative solutions are emerging to support active lifestyles. For example, mobile IV therapy in London offers convenient access to replenishing fluids and essential vitamins, ensuring optimal performance and recovery, even on the hottest summer days. Whether you’re an athlete or simply dedicated to staying active, exploring such services can be a valuable addition to your wellness toolkit.

Mix It Up with Summer-Specific Activities

Keeping a consistent fitness routine doesn’t mean you have to do the same workout day in and day out. In fact, changing up your exercise regimen can prevent boredom and promote a broader range of physical adaptations.

The summer season provides a unique opportunity to mix in summer outdoor activities you don’t have the opportunity to do year round. Things like swimming, surfing, cycling, e-biking, hiking, or beach volleyball all provide effective workouts. These fun games allow you to enjoy the warm weather and stay committed to your fitness routine without feeling like it’s a chore.

Listen to Your Body and Rest When Necessary

Consistency in your fitness routine does not equate to pushing your limits every single day. Mind your body and give it sufficient rest days to allow your muscles to recover and rebuild. Overtraining can lead to injuries, hinder progress, and potentially derail your fitness routine. Therefore, don’t underestimate the importance of taking a break when needed.

Rest days can also provide an excellent opportunity to engage in low-impact activities, such as yoga or stretching exercises, which can improve flexibility and promote overall body wellness.

Create a Supportive Network

Sticking to a routine is always easier when you have a support system. Reach out to friends or family who are also committed to maintaining a fitness routine. You could even consider joining a local sports club or an outdoor fitness class.

Exercising in a group can help increase motivation, create accountability, and make the process more fun. Furthermore, when you surround yourself with like-minded people, your commitment to fitness is more likely to stay strong.

Set Realistic and Specific Goals

Setting realistic and specific goals is one of the most effective ways to stay committed to your fitness routine throughout the summer. Whether running a certain distance, achieving a specific weight, or simply committing to a certain number of workout days per week, having clear objectives can provide the motivation needed to stay consistent. As you reach these goals, celebrate your achievements and set new ones to maintain momentum.

Leverage Technology

In our digital age, technology can be a great asset in maintaining your fitness routine. Fitness apps can provide new workouts, track your progress, and even remind you when it’s time to exercise.

Wearable devices can monitor your heart rate, sleep quality, and other fitness-related metrics. These tools can keep you engaged in your routine, provide objective measures of progress, and make it easier to adjust your workouts based on real data.

Summer Fitness Success

Implementing these additional strategies can ensure you maintain a consistent fitness routine throughout the summer.

With some planning and commitment, you can stay active, healthy, and fit all summer.