Boost Your Child’s School Year with Balanced Play, Nutrition, and Confidence-Building Tips

As our kids adjust to the first few months of school, it’s important to help them maintain an empowering academic year. Returning to a school schedule after a summer break can be challenging, especially when balancing after-school play time with school responsibilities. Here are some of our favorite tips, gathered from parents and educators, to help upkeep your children’s school groove:

1. Having a Consistent Routine: The great thing about kids being back in school is that it somewhat establishes a consistent routine. Designate play time each day for focused activities like puzzles, activity books, or arts and crafts at home after school. This helps children get into the rhythm of the schoolwork they’ll encounter.
2. Promote Independence: Encourage your children to take part in preparation during the first month of school. Let them select their school clothes and organize their classroom supplies. This involvement can make them more confident and reduce anxiety about the new school year. Assigning small chores, like washing dishes or packing lunch can also foster self-sufficiency. (P.S. Shop Kids Playsets will be introducing a wider variety of solitary play very soon. Think books, puzzles, blocks, and more!)
3. Facilitate Social Interaction: Children may feel uncertain about forming new friendships, especially in the early weeks of school. To ease this, arrange playdates with neighborhood kids, family friends, or even classmates, incorporating elements of active play or pretend play to fuel their imagination. These interactions help develop social skills and healthy play habits.
4. Discuss the Ongoing School Experience: Keep conversations open with your child about their first weeks in school. Ask them how they’re feeling–whether it’s nervousness, excitement, or other emotions. Listening and helping them express their feelings can make them feel supported as they navigate the new school environment.
5. Prioritize Proper Nutrition: Throughout the school day, proper nutrition is essential. Pack healthy snacks and lunches to ensure they get the fuel they need. Keeping quality and nutritional benefits in mind will support their learning and focus during the first month of school. A few of our favorite small business snack brands that children love are:

• Karma: This superfood snack consists of popped water lily seeds roasted in olive oil with 3g of protein and high in fiber. The seeds contain thiamine, which can help sustain healthy cognitive function and nerve function. They have 6 flavors of pops: spicy, turmeric, vegan cheese, cheddar cheese, chocolate and pink salt with apple cider. Karma believes that if we eat good, we think good, and do good for ourselves and the community. 
• Nemi: These vegan and grain-free cactus snacks made from high-fiber nopales come from a certified organic and regenerative farm, bringing a slice of Mexico City’s vibrant liveliness and culture with each pack. Nemi snacks come in a variety of flavors: Chile Turmeric, Churro, Mexican Lime, Pickled Jalapeño, and Smoky Chipotle. Inspired by its name, “Nemi”, they believe food is both love and life, nourishing our bodies and delighting our senses using simple and real ingredients that honor Mexican roots
• Trashy Chips: Let your kids eat trashy, without the junk. Each bag high in fiber liberates organic misfit veggies. Made with organic chickpea and pea flour for added protein, this snack comes in a few different flavors: Salt n’ Vinegar, Sea Salt, Jalapeño Lime, and Barbecue. Fighting food waste and climate change with a quarter pound of upcycled vegetables per bag, Trashy Chips makes the best veggie chips on the market.
• Carolyn's Krisps: This cheezy cookie-cracker snack is 100% plant-based that looks like a cookie but has the crunch and crispness of a cracker. Perfect for children who are lactose-intolerant but love the cheese flavor. These snacks come in both sweet and savory flavors: Maple Pecan Krisps, Chocolate Chai Krisps, Cinna Krisps, and Cheddar Krisps. Founded upon a family recipe, Carolyn’s Krisps was too delicious to not share with the rest of the world.

Help your kids maintain a successful school routine with these expert-backed tips on fostering independence, promoting social interaction, and balancing nutritious meals with after-school play to support their growth and well-being during the academic year.