“I wish my school days could have dragged on a little longer, or that I could go back and do it later in life.” – Cara Delevingne

It’s fun to go down memory lane once in a while, and our fondest memories are often the ones associated with our school days. That was the age of innocence, when a best friend meant everything, when secret notes were passed in class and distributing sweets in class was the highlight of our birthdays! Yes, our school days were fun and as the wheel of time turns, it’s a pleasure to see our kids going through this beautiful period too.

On the other hand, school can also turn into a nightmare if your child is stressed for some reason, like doing badly in an exam or being scolded for scratching her arms at school assembly! However, there’s nothing a little advance preparation can’t fix! So here are some tips to have a great day at school, every day of the week!

8 Tips for Having a Great Day at School

1. Start the Day with Yoga

There’s no better way to guarantee a good day at school than by starting it right! Several studies have shown that yoga helps kids be more in the present moment, thereby increasing concentration at school. It also relaxes anxious kids and gives them the confidence that they can tackle anything that comes up during the day!

2. Use a Mosquito Repellent

Mosquitoes are a real danger these days and even a single stray bite can result in dangerous diseases like malaria or dengue. Besides, how can kids focus on what the teacher is saying when they’re busy trying to chase away a pesky insect? I’ve tried mosquito repellent creams, but my son found them too greasy and he hated the smell. What worked finally is the Good Knight Fabric Roll-on Mosquito Repellent. It can be applied on clothes instead of the skin, making it perfect for fussy kids like my son! You just need to dab it on the places shown in the picture below:

This has really proved to be a life saver! The roll-on is made of eucalyptus and citronella oil, so I don’t need to worry about chemicals. I’d suggest you buy your child the Good Knight Fabric Roll-On too to keep your little one safe!

3. Make a Routine Chart

You know what would really make a great day at school? Reaching there on time! Avoid the mad morning rush and making going to school a relaxed process by setting up a morning routine chart. You can either print one free from the web or you could make one yourself. List out all the tasks your kid has to do in order. You could also include a few chores – make my bed, water the plants. This way, your child won’t go to school leaving his badge or his lunch at home!

4. Make a List of Weekly Supplies

It’s no fun at all to reach school only to discover that you’ve left your geometry box at home! The best way to manage this is to have a weekly chart put up in a visible place, like on the fridge. At the beginning of the week, look at your child’s timetable and list out the things he’ll need for each day. Art supplies for Monday, swimming gear for Wednesday, music book for Friday. Now he can be sure that he’s well prepared for that day’s activity, and can enjoy the day without stress!

5. Use Colorful Stationery

Why should school work be drab? Using bright and colourful stationery can make even the most boring class work so much more fun! You can easily get multicoloured erasers, sharpeners and other supplies without spending a bomb. You’ll also find your child’s favourite character on many items of stationery, so he’ll be all the more excited about going to school with his things!

6. Take a Healthy Lunch

A major point of contention between Moms and kids is the question of the uneaten lunchbox! Plan the week’s lunchbox with your kids, with the condition that it should include a balanced meal. Go for quality over quantity – don’t stuff the lunchbox. Rather, go for whole grains and avoid messy or mushy food that may look unappetizing. Choose fun lunchboxes that keep individual dishes separate, making life easier for your child at lunch time.

7. Wear Sunscreen

No, sunscreen isn’t just for the beach! We live in a tropical country, which means humidity, sunny days and mosquitoes are part and parcel of our lives! While we’ve already tackled the mosquito issue, sunscreen will keep your child protected from both UVA and UVB rays. Kids are sure to go outdoors and play, and sunscreen will make sure that their skin is safe from sunburn. This is an important habit to cultivate throughout the year and throughout life, so don’t skimp on it!

8. Play Happy Music

“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”, said Berthold Auerbach. So it only makes sense to start your day with music that spreads positive vibes, like the Happy song from Despicable Me 2! There’s something very cheerful about the whole family being able to go about their mornings with a jump in their step and a tune in their hearts. Can you think of a better way to start a school morning? We can’t!

All these tips for having a great day at school are more than just tips for now; they are good habits that are worth cultivating throughout life. While school changes to college and then to the work place, knowing how to plan and have a great day is always useful!