Are you back-to-school ready this school year?

Though it seems like summer has just started, the days are already getting shorter again. Before long, parents will be thinking about everything that needs to be done to prepare for the school year. That’s why we wanted to provide them with some helpful resources to make back-to-school preparations and supply shopping a tad easier this year.

1. Check back-to-school supplies off of your end-of-summer to-do list.

Kids need a lot of stuff to go back to school. From common items such as backpacks, pencils, erasers, and pens that span all age groups to items that need to be shared amongst all in the classroom, those shopping carts can get quite full. But how can you be sure you got everything that your student needs?

Before heading to your local school supply store, be sure to check the website for your children’s school to find out specifically what they will need. You can check the Omaha Public Schools’ website for school-specific supply lists. For example, Prairie Wind Elementary School provides class supply lists but also indicates that teacher specialists would appreciate classroom donations of Kleenex Tissues and Clorox Wipes. The Alice Buffett Magnet School provides a general school supply list but also mentions that students may receive a more specific list during the first few days of school.

Private schools such as Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School, Omaha Christian Academy, Legacy School, the Montessori Educational Center, and other schools post specific age group lists too. While perusing the school’s website, be sure to also note the school colors and mascot for your child’s school. For example, if your student attends Omaha Northwest Magnet High School, then they might appreciate a Huskies t-shirt to wear on the first day of school!

2. Don’t forget to add healthy snacks to the shopping list for this school year.

When packing a lunch for your child, it can be easy to throw in ready-to-go items such as pre-packaged potato chips and sugary snacks. But these foods are mostly empty calories, and they don’t help with your child’s focus or brain development. Not only that, but these junk foods can lead to an increase in the prevalence of tooth decay.

Start the 2021-2022 school year off by shopping for nutritious tooth-friendly snacks for your child’s lunch box. Consider veggies such as broccoli, carrots, or celery. Pack a baggie of pear or apple slices. Throw in a stick of string cheese or a pouch of yogurt. And if your child isn’t allergic to nuts and doesn’t attend a peanut-free school, toss in a small bag of lightly salted peanuts. You may be surprised to find that not only are these snacks filling, but your child’s teeth will reap the benefits too.

3. A summer trip to The Tooth Doc can keep that smile white and bright for the coming school year.

With busy summers keeping us running to and fro, it can be easy to forget the importance of things like a trip to the dentist. But, the summer is a great time to get your school-aged child in for a dental cleaning and check-up. In addition, school pictures are often taken in the first few weeks of the school year, so why not get your child’s teeth cleaned to ensure a whiter smile in that photo that will go down in the history books?

Request an appointment for your child by using our easy-to-use online form. Then, before your visit, make sure you know what you need to know about taking your child to the dentist. Be sure also to check out our tips for kids on how to take their parents to the dentist. After all, talking to your child about their trip to the dentist beforehand will make for a much easier experience in the dental chair. The Tooth Doc does everything possible to make a comfortable and positive experience for your child’s dentist appointment, but preparation beforehand is always a plus.

4. Plan some extra family conversation time for the first few weeks of this school year.

The new school year brings change to families all over the country. Even if this isn’t your child’s first back-to-school, the chances are that they will be experiencing some new encounters in those early days. Any change whether it be good or bad can create anxiety amongst students, especially when they are changing their routines. So even if you are giving your child some healthy snacks, moving up their bedtime to help them get more sleep, or whatever it is that you are doing to ease the back-to-school transition, plan to have some extra conversations with your child to see how they are processing the new school year. Practicing open and honest communication can help ensure your child shares with you any challenges that they might be experiencing. The best way to get your child to open up is to practice open-ended questions rather than questions such as “did you have a good day at school?” For example, ask your child to tell you about their favorite class or teacher. Ask your kids about new friends that they have met. These open-ended questions will be sure to spark communication and help you and your child bond about their school experience. So, add these school-night conversations to your list of family traditions that you can start right now.

The Tooth Doc wishes you and your child a fantastic 2021 back-to-school experience!

We hope that the suggestions we have provided will help set you and your child up for success as you prepare for back-to-school 2021. With the right school supplies, healthy snacks, a healthy mouth, and some great conversation starters, we believe that your child’s first days of school will be great ones.