Back to School Bag Checklist![\"back](\"https:\/\/tutoringwithatwist.ca\/ns\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/back-to-school-kids-healthy-lunch.jpg\")
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If you\u2019ve decided to send your child back to school, you\u2019ll want to consider packing their bag with the following items to keep them safe and healthy:<\/p>\n
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- Well-balanced lunch<\/strong> (fruits, veggies, protein)<\/li>\n
- Water bottle<\/strong> (with their name on it)<\/li>\n
- Mask<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Tissues<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Moist towelettes<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Hand sanitizer<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
I\u2019ve Decided to Keep the Kids Home\u2026Now What?
![\"back](\"https:\/\/tutoringwithatwist.ca\/ns\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/back-to-school-homeschool.jpg\")
<\/h2>\nIf you would like to keep your kids at home this fall, we\u2019ve got you covered! There are plenty of alternative education<\/a> and online learning<\/a> options available to keep the kids in school from home. Here\u2019s a list of ways to make your homeschooling super effective (and fun, too!):<\/p>\n
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- Choose a quiet spot.<\/strong> Pick a part of the house away from frequently used hallways and other noise-producing areas.<\/li>\n
- Limit distractions.<\/strong> Clear the work surface of toys and clutter, turn the TV off, and keep cell phones out of reach.<\/li>\n
- Make a plan.<\/strong> Create a schedule for the day so your child knows what they will be doing. This will help them stay focused and learn how to set goals.<\/li>\n
- Schedule time for physical activity and free time.<\/strong> Brains work best with a little exercise, so make sure the daily routine allows for physical activity. Free time doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be educational, but bonus points if it is!<\/li>\n
- Take the classroom outside.<\/strong> Teach biology with the plants and animals in the backyard, rattle off multiplication tables while bouncing on the trampoline, or discuss the themes of a novel while going for a walk. These are all fun ways to keep education interesting!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to Stay Mentally Healthy
![\"healthy](\"https:\/\/tutoringwithatwist.ca\/ns\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/healthy-back-to-school-kid.jpg\")
<\/h2>\nWhile taking precautions to stay safe, it\u2019s easy to neglect our mental and emotional health. Here are some ways to maintain a healthy headspace:<\/p>\n
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- Encourage socially distant socializing with friends and extended family.<\/strong> Keeping in contact with people outside your immediate family is a great way to stay grounded. Phone calls, Facetime chats, and online gaming sessions go a long way toward maintaining emotional and mental health.<\/li>\n
- Keep everyone engaged.<\/strong> While practicing social distancing, it\u2019s easy to feel emotionally distant too. Eating dinner together, playing board games, and watching movies as a family are all great ways to keep everyone connected and engaged.<\/li>\n
- Check in on each other.<\/strong> Open avenues of communication about mental and emotional health. It\u2019s not always easy to tell how someone is feeling, so make sure your family is comfortable talking about it.<\/li>\n
- Stick to a routine.<\/strong> Chaos and disorder are two of the top contributors to mental instability, so it\u2019s a good idea to make a plan and stick to it. Well-defined wakeup times, bedtimes, class times, and playtimes will help keep everyone organized.<\/li>\n
- Take time to relax.<\/strong> This sounds trivial, but it\u2019s easy to forget to relax these days. COVID-19 consistently dominates the news and induces stress, so take some time to unplug and unwind. Read a book, take a bath, go for a hike\u2014do what makes you feel good!<\/li>\n
- Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. <\/strong>Our bodies and minds are closely linked, and what benefits one certainly benefits the other. Fuel your body with healthy foods and stay active to keep your mind fresh.<\/li>\n
- Learn about mental health.<\/strong> Research the signs and symptoms of emotional and mental instability before things get out of control. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to confront challenges as they arise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
To make the transition easier, we\u2019ve also come up with a list of back to school tips and tricks<\/a>. If you would like extra help with homeschooling, our twisted tutors are well versed in distance learning. They are experts in online tutoring<\/a>, and they encourage you to try it out. You\u2019ll be glad you did!<\/p>\n
- Keep everyone engaged.<\/strong> While practicing social distancing, it\u2019s easy to feel emotionally distant too. Eating dinner together, playing board games, and watching movies as a family are all great ways to keep everyone connected and engaged.<\/li>\n
- Limit distractions.<\/strong> Clear the work surface of toys and clutter, turn the TV off, and keep cell phones out of reach.<\/li>\n
- Water bottle<\/strong> (with their name on it)<\/li>\n