Plan and prepare for starting school - 6 to 12 months before starting school

Get an overview of preschool training

Many preschools already offer preschool exercises for preschoolers them. Ask your child's educators, which preschool exercises are planned. Then you'll have enough time to intensify the preschool exercises at home/w/gifts-for-starting-school/prepare-preschoolersGifts for preschoolers

Buying the right school bag

The search for the right school bag is best started between February and April before the start of school – then the little ones also have time to pick their favorite from the many beautiful designs!

When choosing a school satchel or backpack, you should make sure that the model is comfortable all around is. The bag should be comfortable for your children starting school both with summer and winter clothing, for example a thick winter jacket. Take the time to try it on and let the little ones have a say so the bag really fits and is comfortable to carry.

Organizing school supplies

Create a learning space for your children, where they can study calmly and with concentration once school starts. School is even more fun when the learning space and equipment are right. Including children in designing the learning space and in choosing school bags, sports bags, pencil cases, water bottles and lunchboxes, can work wonders.

If children love seafaring stories, a pencil case with pirate ships is just the thing, while nature-loving children tend to prefer school supplies with animal motifs in specialist shops. What's important is that the child feels comfortable with the items they use at school.

What goes into the school bag is usually specified by the school: exercise books, pens, brushes, a paint box, wax crayons, school modeling clay and much more – the selection is huge! Teachers are happy to provide information, which learning and painting supplies they recommend for their lessons. Therefore it's best to simply ask.

Planning the enrollment celebration

If you are planning a larger celebration with many guests in your area plan, for example in a restaurant, we recommend that you make a reservation. Make sure to take care of the invitations to the enrollment celebration. Then it's enough if you start preparations 3 to 6 weeks before the enrollment.Enrollment: To-dos for 1 to 4 weeks before the start of school Designing the school cone

Admittedly: The

school cone is the highlight of the first day of school

School cones are available ready-made or

• to make yourselfWhat goes into the school cone? Our ideas: /w/gifts-for-starting-school/recess-setsLunchbox and water bottle

• children's games suitable for ages 6 and up are a hit./w/gifts-for-starting-school/fill-school-conefill the school cone with the small gifts from our shop.Buying the right school bag

• the enrollment at your home in a small circle. The handmade option naturally reduces the chance that another child will show up in class with the same school cone, but store-bought ones can also be customized with a bit of imagination.. Soft toys are welcome guests and good-luck charms have a particularly emotional value. Hair ties and hair clips are of course cool, but coloring books, pens, and exercise books also belong in every school cone. Also sweets and

Discuss the school routine

Talk with your children before starting school about how the daily school routine will work. This includes, for example, the times you get up, the shared breakfast and when the first graders set off for school. But also the packing the school bag, the route to school and the organization in the afternoon, for example lunch, homework and leisure activities, are part of it.

Practice the route to school together

Something that the children should "learn" even before the first day of school should, is the route to school. Therefore it is advisable, to walk the route to school or the bus route together shortly before the first day of school. Where are possible sources of danger, where does the child need to be especially careful? Practice with your child the most important traffic rules. Walking to school with other children is especially fun.

Ask parents from the neighborhood whether the children can walk to school together. Walking and carpooling groups provide increased safety and reduce the fear of school through shared conversations and experiences.

If your child has to walk the route to school alone, there is the possibility, to practice dealing with strangers through courses and to learn confident behavior. If you equip your child with clothing suitable for dusk/dawn, reflectors on the school backpack and in autumn and winter with a bright yellow safety vest they are easy to see for other road users.

Suitable clothing for the first day of school and everyday school life

Also the outfit for the first day of school and the first school days you can plan in advance. Most children usually enjoy this a lot. They can decide for themselves whether they want to dress up or go a bit more casual for the first day. It's important that the clothes fit well and that they feel comfortable in them all day. On the day of the first day of school you can lay out theoutfit in advance, then the morning will go more smoothly!

Get gifts for the first day of school

Think early about what you would like to give your school child to make them happy – whether a practical gift, a book, small treats for the school cone (Schultüte) or something personal from grandma, grandpa or the godparents. This leaves enough time to choose lovingly or to make something yourself.

A few days before school starts - Here's what still needs to be done in the last days

Shared conversations & relaxation

Soon begins for your children the exciting adventure of school. The excitement is great for some first graders. Spend lots of time together before the first day of school, give your children the chance to talk about the upcoming changes and engage in positive conversations about starting school. This can reduce the children's fears and worries. Or plan shared relaxation and mindfulness exercises into your everyday routine. This can also become a great routine in school life, which can be enjoyable and educational, but sometimes quite turbulent.

Packing the school bag

Pack the school backpack together with your child. It quickly becomes clear: If you add the writing utensils and books to the backpack's own weight, which already weighs a little more than a kilo, then the lunch box and water bottle be chosen carefully so that the bag doesn't become too heavy.

We therefore recommend smaller models, which the child can refill with water at school if needed. Both should not unnecessarily weigh down the school backpack and above all contain healthy foods and drinks that keep them full for a long time.

If your child does not have a huge appetite at the breakfast table in the morning, a hearty, healthy packed lunch with whole grain bread, cheese, lean cold cuts, fresh fruit and crunchy vegetables – preferably already cut into pieces – all the more important.

The final preparations on the day before the first day of school

The big day is approaching and now only a few little things remain to be done before the first day of school. Remember:

• Fill the school cone (Schultüte) with gifts, sweets, etc.

• Write a greeting card to the first graders with a personal message.

• Make final preparations for the first-day-of-school celebration, e.g., bake a cake, finish the decorations.

On the first day of school: Breathe and enjoy the first day of school

In the past weeks and months you have checked off all the important points for the first day of school. Now all that's left is: enjoy the big day, take great photos and celebrate the start of school with your loved ones. We wish you lots of fun!

Checklist for starting school & the first day of school as a PDF for download

So you don't forget anything, we've put together a handy checklist for starting school as PDF for download compiled. From planning the school cone to the materials list – clear, ready to check off and perfect for printing.