Advice to help your kids prepare for a new school year

CINCINNATI - Both parents and their kids can have anxiety during the days leading up to a new school year. But Cincinnati Children's Hospital has some advice to help.

First, you should start talking to your child about school a couple weeks before it starts a nd listen closely to their fears and concerns. But it's never too late to start.

For kindergartners & elementary school students:

* Practice listening and following directions at home as well as sharing with others.
* Take your child on at least one school shopping trip, and allow them to help choose some of the items needed for back to school.
* To help ease the transition, parents may want to tuck some small reminders of home into their child’s backpacks, such as photos of the family or parents.
* Let them visit their school before the first day.
* Allow your child to play on the playground and meet their new teacher.

For all students:

* Help your child stay on top of assignments by checking his agenda book nightly.
* Set up specific homework/study times to help your child develop study skills.
* Establish routine bed and wake-up times before the new year starts.
* For middle schoolers, talk to them about high-risk behaviors. because this is the time they begin experimenting.
* Parents should help their teen set goals on how to get the best grades.
* Set aside family time at least twice a week.

(Source: Cincinnati Children's Hospital)