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The past few years have been a roller coaster of feelings and emotions for everyone. Kids had to adjust to a variety of learning formats and parents became teachers overnight. Many of us were thrilled to send our kids back to in-person school last fall.
As families approach the first day of school yet again, implementing back-to-school traditions can help in the transition from summer vacation to school all day, every day. Fun rituals, routines, and family traditions can help make the new school year feel special and something to look forward to.
Why are traditions important for kids?
Traditions celebrate special moments and allow family members to bond through their shared experiences. Above all, family traditions are where memories are made. Through tradition, a child figures out where they fit in in the world and promotes a sense of belonging within the family unit. Over time, these positive experiences shape and mold the child with a strong sense of self and understanding of their role in the family and in the world.
“Research shows us that routines and traditions are part of healthy families," family life educator Amy Griswold said in Healthy Cells Magazine. "Traditions give security to young people, providing a sense of continuity and routine that they can depend on year after year… Children will remember the special experiences of family traditions more than toys and gifts.”
Streamline your school year with back-to-school routines
Where traditions celebrate family and events, routines are designed to streamline the day-to-day. Back-to-school routines look different for every family, but at the heart of each is the predictability that most kids thrive on. Knowing what to expect and what comes next promotes a sense of security and safety in your child's life.
As children get ready to head back to school, the COVID-19 Omicron variants infection rates are surging. For safety reasons, routines such as these may be important for your family:
- Keep up-to-date with whatever your district guidelines are each week.
- Run through a list of backpack items each evening. Ensure they're fully stocked with hand sanitizer, extra masks, and other protective items.
- Set up a hand-washing station with kid-friendly character soaps and lotions. When they get home, they will be more likely to remember to head straight to the sink after dropping off their reusable masks in the laundry room.
Back-to-school traditions aren't just for the kids. It's important to stay on top of emails and other communication from the school administration in the event that protocols change. A simple way to do this is to hang a whiteboard in a prominent place with a kid and parent checklist to keep everyone on the same page. Set expectations early in the school year. If changes need to be made, checklist items can easily be edited with minimal disruption or confusion.
Fun family traditions for back to school you can implement right away
As a homeschooling family, our back-to school-tradition is a little different. Our subdivision pool is packed during the summer, but on the first day of public school, my youngest and I celebrate with a Back to Pool Party. We take advantage of the empty pool and swim and play to our hearts content.
Even before her daughter was born, Sally Kim shared with Mom.com that she would regularly scour the internet for parenting inspiration. "I always wanted to do this handprint shirt ever since I saw it on Pinterest many years ago," Kim wrote on her blog, Lovestalgia. "I had a friend make the shirt for me because I didn't have enough time to order it on Etsy."
All you need is a simple oversize shirt that will fit an eventual 18-year-old with their high school graduation date printed on the front. The back of the shirt features each grade, K-12, with room for the child to leave their painted handprint behind. This is one of those sweet and fun back-to-school traditions your child will cherish as they grow older.
Ideas for back-to-school traditions
Your own back-to-school traditions can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. There's no need to go all out. Your child will appreciate the small gestures just as much, and sometimes even more than the grand ones. Here are a few additional ideas for back-to-school traditions to implement right away:
- Back-to-school traditions do not have to be elaborate — top store-bought pancakes with whipped cream and sprinkles for an easy and fun first-day breakfast.
- Create a school supply scavenger hunt a few days before school starts. Give your child a map or clues to help them fill up their backpack with all the supplies you've purchased.
- Celebrate School Year's Eve the night before the big day with a cake, games, and a special countdown to bedtime.
- Decorate your child's bedroom door while they're sleeping. You could also decorate your front door and mailbox to let the neighbors share in the festivities.
Whether simple or elaborate, back-to-school traditions show your child that they're important. The little bit of extra attention tells them you're there for them; a much-needed message during these strange times we're living through.
