Fresh Beginning

Another school year is about to start and Ghada Salem sheds some light on how to have a smooth kickoff.

The start of the new school year, or joining a new school after a relocation, can be a daunting prospect for both children and parents. Mums in Bahrain team has put together some ideas, listings and resources that can help you and your children start school with confidence and success.

Preparing for the new school year
Getting yourself organised in advance helps to make the return to school as pleasant as possible. Here are some ideas on things to do a couple of weeks before school begins:

• Change your child’s sleeping and eating schedules to match the school’s timetable. Many children have gotten into summer mode where they sleep in late and eat breakfast and lunch at odd hours. Waking up early to get ready for school on time can be a shock to everyone, so get ready for it before the first day.
• Create a work station/space at home for your child where they can do their homework and study. This could be in the child’s bedroom or any other quiet place.
• Hang a notice board in your child’s bedroom where you can place his or her artwork, notes to him/her, stars, appreciation cards from teachers, birthday invites etc.
• Create a reading corner for you and your child for their daily reading time.
• Create an email account under the name of your child. You can then send their weekly reports, scan weekly art and craft projects, book reading lists, certificates, awards, photos etc. They will then have these as mementos in the future.
• Make a shopping list for each child under his or her name, for the items that are needed at the start of the school year. Get them to be involved – if the child can write, get them to write the shopping list with you. Things to include might be:
• Uniform. There are several specialist uniform shops, including House of Uniforms and Zaks.
• Shoes. Get ones that are hard-wearing, won’t scuff and are comfortable for wearing over long periods of time. Clarks
is a favourite with many mums for buying good-quality school shoes.
• Lunch boxes and water bottles. Pottery Barn, Lakeland, Toys R Us, Carrefour, Géant, Lulu Hypermarket, Daiso and
Virgin Megastore all sell good ranges.
• School backpacks. Invest in a good-quality backpack that will last for the year. Toys R Us, Pottery Barn and Shoe City usually carry a good selection of backpacks and school bags. Stationery is available in most hypermarkets as well. Lulu Hypermarket usually carries a wide selection at very reasonable prices

Lunchbox Ideas
Coming up with daily ideas to provide a healthy and tempting lunchbox can be a challenge! Mums in Bahrain has the solution to help you – look out for our brand new recipe book My Yummy Lunchbox – it will be sent home during September 2015 with children from a variety of schools, alternatively it will be available at many restaurants, cafés and children’s centres, as well as online.

After School Activities
Once the school year is under way, so will be the various after-school activities and clubs that are available. To help you decide on the options for your child, here are some of the activities they may wish to participate in: art classes, dance, golf, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, tae kwondo and tennis.