August means back to school time which can mean different things to students this year. Some students are returning after a period of online learning, while others are going back to school with new guidelines for health and safety. But every year, many things stay the same. Here is your guide for getting your girls ready to start strong for a great 2021-22 school year. 

Healthy Lunches

Nutrition is the best foundation for a healthy lifestyle. Planning for healthy lunches is a great way to reinforce the value that good food is necessary. When your girls are young, you can choose the foods for them. But as they grow up, they can help make their lunches and take over the job as teenagers. Check out some healthy lunch ideas from Eating Well. 

Establishing Routines

Last year, your girls may have had to adapt to quickly changing routines. This year, there is hope that school can happen within a new normal, so it’s essential to reestablish routines for a healthy school year. They should include: 

• A bedtime routine, including no screens after a specific time
• A wake-up routine to include daily hygiene 
• A homework routine
• A household chores routine

You may also need to arrange special routines for children engaged in extracurricular activities, such as sports, which we will discuss below. And this year, you may also want to reinforce requirements for wearing masks and washing hands regularly. 

Social Engagements

The return to in-person school is also a return to social engagements. Young children will have the social experiences they need to develop skills such as sharing and consent. Older children will be expanding their interests and learning methods of healthy communication. Make a plan to increase social engagement based on your girl’s comfort levels. 

Homework

With back to school time comes a return of homework. We mentioned that you should create a routine to include homework each day, but there are a few things to consider. Start by getting to know the teachers and their expectations. Create a dedicated homework space in your house free from distractions but where your girls can easily ask for help if needed. Make a plan and schedule regular study time. Help them when they ask and provide frequent praise for good work. And if you see your girls struggling with any subject, consider getting additional help. 

Extra Activities

Sometimes these routines go out the window when girls are involved with a lot of extra activities. If your girls are a part of sports teams or clubs, you’ll need to be very diligent about their schedules every day. Tips include: 

• Create a calendar and stick to it
• Prioritize meal planning
• Hold family meetings to check in regularly
• Be consistent in your routine

Ladybug for Girls can help. Let us know how to work with you to create healthy routines for your girls throughout the school year.