As the new school term begins, many parents are wondering how they can best prepare their children for the months ahead.

Back-to-school sales are in full swing, and your home will soon be filled with stationery, textbooks and school supplies.

Here are 10 practical tips to help your family get ready for the new school term.

Build excitement before the first day

• Read together: Read with your children as often as you can. Regular reading helps keep their minds active and prepares them for the school year ahead.
• Go shopping together: Include your child in the back-to-school shopping. Let them choose some of the stationery and supplies they like. Being involved can help them feel more excited about returning to school.
• Prepare for early mornings: Ease back into the school routine by practising earlier bedtimes and wake-up times. It also helps to prepare lunchboxes, school bags and outfits the night before to make mornings less stressful.
• Create back-to-school excitement: Plan something fun to celebrate the start of the school term. You could host a small gathering for children in your neighbourhood, complete with treats, snacks and stationery gift packs.
• Give a special first-day gift: A small surprise, such as a colouring book and crayons, can make the first day feel even more special and give your child something to look forward to.

Create routines that support learning

• Make family time a priority: The school term can quickly become busy with homework and extracurricular activities. Even so, make family time a priority amid the hectic schedule.
• Prepare your child for school: If it is your child’s first day at a new school, visit the campus beforehand. Walk around together, meet the teachers if possible and help your child become familiar with the new surroundings and what to expect.
• Create a dedicated homework space: Set up a quiet, comfortable area in your home where your child can complete homework with minimal distractions. A dedicated workspace can improve concentration and productivity.
• Thank the teacher: Consider sending a small gift or handwritten note as a token of appreciation. It does not need to be expensive to be meaningful.
• Return to a routine: Begin re-establishing normal mealtimes, bath times and bedtimes. Returning to a regular routine will make the transition back to school much smoother for everyone.