You’ve got a big day ahead of you. You have to hit the gym, work, meet with your teacher at your kid’s school, make a quick grocery run all before you pick the kids up from school. After you get up, make breakfast, pack lunches, feed kiddos you pack your bag for the day. You need work out clothes, tennis shoes, toiletries, work clothes, a lunch, your laptop, cell phone, wallet, notes for your child’s teacher as well as some overdue doctor’s forms, and your grocery list. Just before you load everyone in the car you run through your day and double check that you’ve got everything you need so that the day is successful.
What does a successful day look like for your child? What do they need to be successful? They come to school, play outside, work inside the classroom; seems simple enough. If you look closely there are a few necessities that absolutely contribute to a successful day for your child:
Food: A good breakfast is where it all begins. It is nearly impossible to function when basic needs are not met. If children are hungry or “bonking” at 9:00 because they haven’t had a balanced breakfast (one that includes some protein) they will not have a successful day. While we do provide a snack, a balanced breakfast is the only thing that keeps those stomach growling monsters at bay - it also keeps little children from turning into monsters themselves!
Hungry Child
Clothes: Think of these as their work clothes. Their work includes running, crouching, kneeling, stretching, digging, swinging, etc. Their clothes should be comfortable, and playground friendly. They should be allowed to get dirty - maybe even stained. Children must be able to successfully manage them independently. Are they really ready for buckles, suspenders, and overalls? Their clothing should also be free from distractions. They come to school to do their work, and it is unfair to dress them in items which distract them or their peers from the important work they do. Can you imagine sitting in a conference room meeting with someone in a suit jacket that has wings, or a business casual dress with a sparkly tulle slip underneath, or shoes that light up with every single step?
Not a good idea
Also not a good idea
Outerwear: Children need to play, they need big gross motor movement, and they need it often. There is no better place for this than the outdoors; but they must be prepared for such an unpredictable environment. It is nearly impossible to enjoy the outdoors when your freezing cold. It’s only barely tolerable as an adult when your waiting in line outside in 32 degree weather without a jacket for a new iPhone. Coats, hats, and mittens should always be available. And just like their clothing, children must be able to manage their outerwear independently. Mittens are easier for children to manage than gloves; zippers should have large pulls, boots should just slip on and not need to be tied or zipped or buckled.
These are fantastic! Easily recognizable, water-resistant, and they have zippers so they are easy to get on and off!
Shoes: Can you imagine going for a hike in heels? Or running a marathon in cowboy boots? At school children run, and bike, and climb, and they need good sturdy shoes (without lights) for play. Save the cowboy boots for the rodeo, and the sparkly party shoes for the party. Children need shoes that they can get on and off independently without frustration. Think about whether or not your child is really ready for shoes that tie; perhaps velcro would be better.
Hair: It can be a fashion statement or a total nuisance, but one thing is for sure; keeping hair pulled back , out of the eyes, and away from the mouth sets the stage for the real action. It’s like when the curtains open the show begins.
Some of the greatest work your child will do lies ahead of them this year. As you help get them ready in the morning think about their abilities, their work, and their play and set them up for a successful day. They may not thank you for it now, but their accomplishments and growth sure will - and maybe even their teachers.