Back to School Tips



Get Ready for Back to School: Tips and Tricks for any Stage

Starting daycare, preschool, or even those first days of school can bring a mix of emotions for both you and your little one. Whether it’s their very first time being away from you or just the next step in their early learning adventure, we’re here to support you every step of the way and help make the transition smoother.

Get Ready for Back to School: Tips and Tricks for any Stage

Starting daycare, preschool, or even those first days of school can bring a mix of emotions for both you and your little one. Whether it’s their very first time being away from you or just the next step in their early learning adventure, we’re here to support you every step of the way and help make the transition smoother.



Back to school Tips

Daycare

Starting daycare can feel overwhelming—especially if it’s your child’s first time. It’s not easy to leave your little one in someone else’s care; the emotions can be just as big for you as they are for your child. But with a bit of preparation, the transition can be much smoother. To help you both feel more confident and ready for this new chapter, we’ve put together some practical tips to guide you through the process.

      • Visit the daycare setting before the first day, so your child can experience the environment with you
      • Create a morning routine so your child knows what to expect before going to daycare Bring a transitional object/toy from home so your child feels more at ease
      • Bring a transitional object/toy from home so your child feels more at ease
      • Establish a goodbye ritual so your little one feels comfortable when they leave - make sure to talk to your child beforehand about this
      • Prepare them for success. Remember to pack them a change of clothes, fill out any medical requirements and share their likes and dislikes with their caregiver
Back to school Tips

Daycare

Starting daycare can feel overwhelming—especially if it’s your child’s first time. It’s not easy to leave your little one in someone else’s care; the emotions can be just as big for you as they are for your child. But with a bit of preparation, the transition can be much smoother. To help you both feel more confident and ready for this new chapter, we’ve put together some practical tips to guide you through the process.

        • Visit the daycare setting before the first day, so your child can experience the environment with you
        • Create a morning routine so your child knows what to expect before going to daycare Bring a transitional object/toy from home so your child feels more at ease
        • Bring a transitional object/toy from home so your child feels more at ease
        • Establish a goodbye ritual so your little one feels comfortable when they leave - make sure to talk to your child beforehand about this
        • Prepare them for success. Remember to pack them a change of clothes, fill out any medical requirements and share their likes and dislikes with their caregiver


Pre-School

Starting preschool is a big milestone—and it can come with some big feelings. It’s completely normal for children to feel nervous or uncertain about this new experience, especially when they don’t know what to expect. The good news is, with a little preparation ahead of time, you can help your child feel more confident and ready. Here are some tricks that may make this new milestone easier.

      • Establish a routine of "early to bed" and “school wake-up time” several weeks before school begins so your child has time to adjust to the new schedule.
      • Arrange a day that you and your child can visit the pre-school together and chat with their teacher, for less anxious kiddos
      • Let your child pick out a new backpack and school supplies to get them excited about this new experience
      • Read books about new beginnings, starting pre-school and saying goodbye
      • Arrange play dates with kids who will be in your child's class
      • Remember that new transitions are a process, and it is okay if it takes some time for you and your child to feel comfortable with the separation
Grade School

Starting elementary school is an exciting step—and a big transition. The classroom environment can be quite different from what your child is used to at home, whether they’re coming from a quiet setting or a lively one. Every child is unique, and preparing them for this next stage can help build confidence, independence, and a sense of comfort in their new surroundings. To help set your child up for success, here are a few tips to ease the transition into grade school.

      • Talk to your child about their feelings to help ease their concerns
      • Set them up for success by helping them with their ABCs, reading and numbers
      • Practice giving them small responsibilities, such as filling their water bottle up by themselves, hanging up their coat, or opening their lunch box, so they feel confident to do it on their own
      • Make sure to build a routine, whether this includes a sleep or homework schedule, planning a nutritious breakfast or time for fun, a routine will help your child feel less overwhelmed
      • Schedule check-in times to answer some of those unanswered questions
      • Take your child back to school shopping to help get them in that back-to-school mindset and promote excitement
Pre-School

Starting preschool is a big milestone—and it can come with some big feelings. It’s completely normal for children to feel nervous or uncertain about this new experience, especially when they don’t know what to expect. The good news is, with a little preparation ahead of time, you can help your child feel more confident and ready. Here are some tricks that may make this new milestone easier.

        • Establish a routine of "early to bed" and “school wake-up time” several weeks before school begins so your child has time to adjust to the new schedule.
        • Arrange a day that you and your child can visit the pre-school together and chat with their teacher, for less anxious kiddos
        • Let your child pick out a new backpack and school supplies to get them excited about this new experience
        • Read books about new beginnings, starting pre-school and saying goodbye
        • Arrange play dates with kids who will be in your child's class
        • Remember that new transitions are a process, and it is okay if it takes some time for you and your child to feel comfortable with the separation
Grade School

Starting elementary school is an exciting step—and a big transition. The classroom environment can be quite different from what your child is used to at home, whether they’re coming from a quiet setting or a lively one. Every child is unique, and preparing them for this next stage can help build confidence, independence, and a sense of comfort in their new surroundings. To help set your child up for success, here are a few tips to ease the transition into grade school.

        • Talk to your child about their feelings to help ease their concerns
        • Set them up for success by helping them with their ABCs, reading and numbers
        • Practice giving them small responsibilities, such as filling their water bottle up by themselves, hanging up their coat, or opening their lunch box, so they feel confident to do it on their own
        • Make sure to build a routine, whether this includes a sleep or homework schedule, planning a nutritious breakfast or time for fun, a routine will help your child feel less overwhelmed
        • Schedule check-in times to answer some of those unanswered questions
        • Take your child back to school shopping to help get them in that back-to-school mindset and promote excitement


Back to School Essentials - What Should I Buy?

Whether your child is starting daycare, preschool, or grade school, having the right tools can make all the difference. If you're feeling unsure about where to begin, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. To help take the guesswork out of back-to-school prep, we’ve put together a list of must-have essentials to help your child start the year off with confidence.

Lunch Time

Whether its left over pasta or yogurt, pack your childs lunch with the right essentials.

Back to School Essentials - What Should I Buy?

Whether your child is starting daycare, preschool, or grade school, having the right tools can make all the difference. If you're feeling unsure about where to begin, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. To help take the guesswork out of back-to-school prep, we’ve put together a list of must-have essentials to help your child start the year off with confidence.

Lunch Time

Whether its left over pasta or yogurt, pack your childs lunch with the right essentials.



School Bags

Get your child excited about school with the newest and coolest backpack designs.

      • Have your child starting school in style with Itzy Ritzy’s Itzy Bitzy Bag designed for kids on the go. It’s soft, with adjustable shoulder straps and a spacious main compartment, perfect for your little one's first day
      • Play meets practical with the new Little Herschel Lego Heritage Kids Backpack. Your child will be the coolest kid on the playground with their new styles
School Bags

Get your child excited about school with the newest and coolest backpack designs.

        • Have your child starting school in style with Itzy Ritzy’s Itzy Bitzy Bag designed for kids on the go. It’s soft, with adjustable shoulder straps and a spacious main compartment, perfect for your little one's first day
        • Play meets practical with the new Little Herschel Lego Heritage Kids Backpack. Your child will be the coolest kid on the playground with their new styles


Water Bottles

Daycare, pre-school and grade school can be filled with adventure. Keep your child hydrated for the day ahead of them.

      • Keep your child hydrated throughout the day with Hydroflask’s Kids Tumbler with Straw. With its leak-resistant lid and additional protection from bumps and dings, this water bottle is sure to keep up with your child's school adventures.
      • If you prefer a bigger water bottle, Stanley’s IceFlow 30oz Flip Straw 2.0 Tumbler is sure to do the trick. With its double-wall vacuum insulation your drink is sure to always stay cold.
Water Bottles

Daycare, pre-school and grade school can be filled with adventure. Keep your child hydrated for the day ahead of them.

        • Keep your child hydrated throughout the day with Hydroflask’s Kids Tumbler with Straw. With its leak-resistant lid and additional protection from bumps and dings, this water bottle is sure to keep up with your child's school adventures.
        • If you prefer a bigger water bottle, Stanley’s IceFlow 30oz Flip Straw 2.0 Tumbler is sure to do the trick. With its double-wall vacuum insulation your drink is sure to always stay cold.


Ready For School?

At West Coast Kids, we’re proud to support families at every stage—from the first drop off to the welcome home hug. Explore all of our back to school collection online or in-store and find everything you need to make the back to school season a success.

Ready For School?

At West Coast Kids, we’re proud to support families at every stage—from the first drop off to the welcome home hug. Explore all of our back to school collection online or in-store and find everything you need to make the back to school season a success.


Shop Back to School Essentials 



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