Ready For School!

By Haven Mitchell-Rose 

Back to school. Or, for many of you and your little ones, this year marks the beginning of their formal educational journey. While this might be a little nerve racking for parents, the general consensus among kids - at least the ones I've spoken to recently - seems to be excitement and anticipation. Here are a few activities, to peak their excitement even further, and hopefully ease some of your worries about what the coming year in the classroom will bring. 

Picture Day! 

With the beginning of school comes the greatly anticipated picture day. Gather your family, and make some goofy memories with your very own back to school photo shoot! 

Materials:
Blank/ neutral background (a wall or sheet should do the trick)
Nerdy and/or school related costume pieces and accessories (gathered from around the house)
Stool or chair 
Camera 

Step 1: Set up the stool in front of your background 
Step 2: Present your child with your assembled costumes, and encourage (and/ or help) them to create their picture day look
Step 3: Say cheese! Snap some fun back to school pictures of your child- in a variety of scholarly poses- and don't forget to share them on our Facebook Page with the hashtag #back2schoolwithspellbound

*Challenge: Let your child pick out an outfit for you and take your back to school picture. 

The Student Becomes the Teacher

For many of your little ones, back to school means back to an instructional style that involves a teacher addressing a classroom full of students. While we here at Spellbound support all teaching and learning styles, we want to turn the tables in this next activity, and allow your child a rare opportunity to be the teacher. 

Materials: 
Toys
Your child's room 
Small table and chair (optional)
Easel/ chalkboard/ giant sticky note, large sheet of paper and tape (optional)

Step 1: Imagine that it is the first day of school. Your child is the teacher showing their new student (you) around their classroom (bedroom).
 Step 2: Ask your child lots of questions about their toys and possessions around the room. And don't forget to raise your hand!
Step 3: Place a small table and chair in center of room. Sit it in, raise your hand and ask "Mr. or Ms. (child's last name), What will we be learning about today?" and see what you find out. If they need a little help, suggest a toy or game that they cam teach you about. Be sure to ask plenty of questions!   

 

Photo credit: http://community.babycenter.com/