www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, August 27, 2015 | 22 Fall Registration Five tips to make back-to-school easier for you and your child By Genonia Petra, Kumon instructor in Toronto's Danforth area With the end of summer around the corner, you are probably among the many parents who are busy getting ready for the school year trying to figure out carpool schedules, lunches and after-school programs. The transition from relaxed summer days to a scheduled fall routine can sometimes be a challenge with every parent wondering how to get everyone back into a productive routine after a break from the books. To ease the transition for your child and help make sure they are well prepared and set-up for success, the following tips should help in creating for a smooth start to the school year: Get a head start on your morning routine. Starting at least one week before school, set an earlier bedtime for your child so that he or she becomes acclimatized to waking up at a scheduled time. Continue your morning "practice run" by planning quick and healthy breakfast ideas together. If your child is old enough, have him/her get into the habit of making lunch for himself/herself. Talk about first day of school jitters. Being nervous about the first day of school is natural for many children. From new teachers to new friends, new schools to new schedules, the anticipation of a new school year can be overwhelming. Remind your child of their past achievements and all he or she has to look forward to from learning new subjects to exploring extracurricular activities. Tour the route and school. Remind your children that they are certainly not the only ones who are uneasy about setting off for school on the first day. It's important to make sure that children are familiar with the new route, new routine and the new school environment. Take a practice run of the schedule and tered over the summer? Now is the time to get organized. Use this time to ensure all distractions are removed (e.g. games), and only necessities like paper, pencils/pens, erasers, and other study supplies are accessible in the "study zone." Get your child into the habit of using this area for activities like reading and writing in the weeks leading up to the start of school. I hope these tips help you start the new school year off right. Best of luck for a successful school year! Genonia Petrea is a Kumon instructor in Toronto's Danforth area, serving as a certified instructor since 2005. From her experience as a former math teacher and a mom, Genonia has seen firsthand how every child that walks into a Kumon centre can achieve success. After 10 years of delivering the Kumon Method, she continues to be impressed by the beauty, logic and linearity of the program in both math and reading. Visit www.kumon. ca for more information. Advertorial make it special by surprising your child with an afternoon filled with their favourite activity. Encourage a study buddy. Before school begins, your child may want to begin thinking about who their study buddy will be this school year. Having someone to go to the library with after school or do homework with can help your child forge positive and supportive relationships with peers. Create a distraction-free "study zone." Has your child's study area become clut- We're here for her ambitions. Schedule your tour of our beautiful 10-acre campus and see how inspiring education can be. Our state-of-the-art campus is specifically designed to give your daughter the exceptional education she deserves. At St. Mildred's Lightbourn School, we believe all girls are destined for greatness. We simply give them what they need to reach their potential. Help your daughter Rise & Shine. Book your tour today by calling 905.845.5830 ext. 814 or by visiting www.smls.on.ca. Now accepting applications for Preschool to Grade 12.